NBC's The Office: Top Five Reasons Why the Brits Do it Better

If you're like RazorsEdge and hate the NBC version of The Office, perhaps it's time you request back episodes of the British version with your next Netflix order, because the Brits definitely do it better. I know that sounds funny coming from an American, but I must give credit where credit is due, and believe me, the American version pales in comparison.

First of all, it must be known that the BBC version of The Office came first. I know those of you who quickly latched on to the American version hate to believe that, but it's true, and everyone knows that OGs do it better. The dialogue in the British version is more clever, the humor more subtle, and the boss, more likeable. Below are five reasons why you should watch BBC's The Office, and leave the American version to the uninformed.

1. It's more fun to watch David Brent (Ricky Gervais) manage the staff of Wernham Hogg than it is Michael Scott (Steve Carell) of Dunder Mifflin Inc.: Although the two are a bit self absorbed and consider themselves to be a great source of office entertainment, David doesn't have to try as hard as Michael to be funny, because he's funniest when he's, well, just being himself. Americans are used to over-the-top, slapstick comedy, which is often exhibited by famed comedians Jim Carrey and Robin Williams. Perhaps that is why Michael garners more laughs from the audience with his zany behavior and outrageous dialogue, whereas David exudes deadpan humor to rival that of Bill Murray's. Furthermore, David is more likeable than Michael because his vulnerability, which often seeps through the chinks in his egotistical armor, truly reminds you of how you were at age twelve; the insecurities, immaturity, and poor sportsmanship you felt then, but have since outgrown. Plus, his desire to break into the entertainment industry is more pronounced than Michael's, and you can't help but crack up at the David Hasselhoff-like music videos he produces.

2. Gareth (Mackenzie Crook) is less creepy than Dwight (Rainn Wilson): Again, this is a case of excess versus subtlety, as Gareth is a lot more convincing than Dwight in his role as the office sycophant. Gareth's facial expressions, as well as the ridiculous, fictional scenarios he fabricates, are not as exaggerated as Dwight's, making his tone and delivery seem less theatrical and more realistic. Plus, BBC did a great job hiring an actor that looks the part, as Mackenzie Crook, the gentleman who plays Gareth, is tall, lanky, and gaunt with pale skin. His appearance therefore speaks volumes, making his lines supplementary rather than essential to his character. Whereas you would get a kick out of torturing Gareth with silly office pranks as do his co-workers, you probably wouldn't want to mess around with someone as creepy and psychotic as Dwight, who simply makes you want to petition a restraining order.

3. Tim (Martin Freeman) is gutsier than Jim (John Krasinski): Let's face it, the whole cat and mouse game played by Tim and Dawn in the BBC version of The Office can be just as tiring as that played by Jim and Pam in the NBC version. Yet, Tim and Dawn are a little easier to stomach because Tim at least has the guts to pursue Dawn, whereas Jim is constantly waiting to receive the green light from Pam before making his move. I'm sure we are all familiar with the guy who has difficulty expressing his true feelings to a woman, but Tim proves that real men take risks, despite any overwhelming fears of rejection.

4. Dawn is pleasantly plumper than Pam: Okay, this one is for all you American women out there who, like me, are sick and tired of seeing rail-thin actresses on television. Although Dawn (BBC) and Pam (NBC) are similar in that they both possess a homely, girl-next-door quality, Dawn is more appealing because she, like Renée Zellweger's character in Bridget Jones's Diary, teaches us that a great personality and sense of humor can make the "wobbly bits" we tend to obsess over, a sexy attribute.

5. BBC is bolder than NBC: BBC's The Office contains edgier scenes and lines than those found in the NBC version. Perhaps that's because they don't have the FCC breathing down their necks. The American version must move to HBO if it ever wishes to offer the same shocking sex scenes, dildos as white elephant gifts, and outrageous, sexual innuendos found in the British version.