Over the last few days I’ve been watching season 1 of the British version of The Office. I’ve come to the conclusion that to say, “the American The Office is based on the British The Office” is a gross understatement. For the first season, at least, it’s almost a 1:1 copy of the British version. Examples:
Both Dave and Michael Scott have a raunchy friend who teases him, but he thinks he’s in on the joke
Tim and Jim look almost exactly the same and react to the camera in almost the same way
the British Pam character is dating a guy from the warehouse who’s less than romantic
Both Dave and Michael Scott have a female boss who is much more competent than them
In both shows a temp is hired in the first few episodes and knows way more than the boss
In both shows Tim/Jim put Garrett/Dwight’s stapler in jello
in both shows the “kevin” character wants to be in a band
Both Garrettt/Dwight know karate and other such things
There are probably a few more similarities. I almost feel like I’m watching the first season of the American version again. There are a few differences, though, that make the American version more enjoyable to me. Jim and Pam have more chemistry and play more pranks. Of course, the American show has more episodes than the British one so there is more time for mischief-based shows. I like Dwight’s quirkiness more than Garrett’s. So far there isn’t an HR person that the boss in the British version hates and the animosity towards Toby made the show for me many times when the Jim/Pam love triangle was taking forever. Oh yeah, the British opening theme is SO British.
Publishers often refer to prohibited copying as “piracy.” In this way, they imply that illegal copying is ethically equivalent to attacking ships on the high seas, kidnapping and murdering the people on them.
If you don’t believe that illegal copying is just like kidnapping and murder, you might prefer not to use the word “piracy” to describe it. Neutral terms such as “prohibited copying” or “unauthorized copying” are available for use instead. Some of us might even prefer to use a positive term such as “sharing information with your neighbor.” - rms on Piracy in Some Confusing or Loaded Words and Phrases that are Worth AvoidingPhoto by redjar on flickr, used under a Creative Commons License
