The Office In France
The British created it. The US perfected it. The French want in on it too.
The Times Online is reporting that France will soon be airing a French Version of The Office. Many of the unique characteristics will be the same, but they will also add a little French twist on it. From the article:
To make the show more French, Triquet and his staff do not spend their time getting sloshed down at the pub. French workers do not do that. Instead, the boss calls his favourites into his office for a round of champagne. Sometimes they go out to pick up women at Paris discotheques. The practical jokes with jelly (jello for Americans) are turned into jokes with strong cheese.
You can read the rest of the article here. I hope that it does well there in France. If we have any French speakers here at LITO, we’d love to have your opinion once the show airs.
(Thanks to Terry for the tip.)
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May 31st, 2006 07:37
Germany has had a version called “Stromberg” for a couple years now
http://imdb.com/title/tt0428167/
Stromberg is the boss’s name.
“Das Büro” would be a direct translation of “The Office”. There was a show by that name in Germany in 2003, but i can’t find any information about it, i.e. if it was another The Office
http://imdb.com/title/tt0375267/
May 31st, 2006 07:52
Got to be honest- I’m a little offended by the idea that the British created it and the US perfected it. They’re both great shows- both television perfection, but deference must be given to the British version- probably the most groundbreaking and creative show of our generation.
May 31st, 2006 08:00
GOB, I didn’t mean any offense. I love the English version as well.
May 31st, 2006 13:41
Fair enough Brian- I think we can both agree there will never be another show like the Office- regardless where it began. We can both take comfort in the fact that more nations will see the brilliance.
May 31st, 2006 20:00
The french version will be “The Bureau”, apparently. I hear the boss will have two first names as well. I hope it translates well. Maybe there will be jokes that the whole world will get.
May 31st, 2006 20:05
Also, I like how the article has a clip of the show for people like us to see. But…it’s in French…
May 31st, 2006 22:54
Looking at the picture on Canal’s website, I wonder which ones are the Jim and Pam characters. I’m guessing the really tall guy and the dark haired girl next to him?
June 1st, 2006 19:15
Well, being French (Canadian), maybe I can help you all figure out which characters link to what. If you go to the Canal+ website, you see a banner with all the characters and there are 6 clips on the website.
Judging from the clips, it seems obvious they’re imitating the British-style humour rather than the American. But all clips are from the pilot which is imitated in all 3 countries! Still, the boss (Gilles Triquet), reminds me more of David Brent (UK) than Michael Scott (US).
The tall guy in black, is actually the temp. Down left in red is the “Dwight/Garett” character.
The “Jim” character is dead center to the right of the boss in the pale shirt and red tie. Behind him (left) and next to the “temp” is the “Pam” character (dark hair!). I’m pretty sure behind Jim is the “Kevin” guy (again, reminds me more from the UK). I could go on, but those are the main players right there!
Couldn’t tell you if it’ll be a success. It looks like a carbon copy of the UK pilot with French reference (”This guy does a great *Jamel* impression” - French comedian).
It’s becoming a phenomenon!
-Marc