The Office Season 1 Episode 1

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The premiere episode introduces the boss and staff of the Dunder-Mifflin paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania in a documentary about the workplace. Watch The Office: Season 1 Episode 1 Online Full Episode FREE in HD, Watch The Office (US) Online Stream all episodes Free without download watch the office online free with English subtitles.

The Office (U.S. season 1)
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes6
Release
Original networkNBC
Original releaseMarch 24 –
April 26, 2005
Season chronology
List of The Office (U.S. TV series) episodes

The first season of the American televisioncomedyThe Office premiered in the United States on NBC on March 24, 2005, concluded on April 26, 2005, and consists of six episodes. The Office is an American adaptation of the British TV series of the same name, and is presented in a mockumentary format, portraying the daily lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictitious Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.

This season introduced the main characters, and established the general plot, which revolves around Michael Scott (Steve Carell), regional manager of the Scranton branch office, trying to convince the filmmakers of the documentary that he presides over a happy, well-running office. Meanwhile, sales rep Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) finds methods to undermine his cube-mate, Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson); receptionist Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) tries to deal with Michael's insensitivities and flubs; and temporary employee Ryan Howard (B. J. Novak) is acting mostly as an observer of the insanity around him.

Season one of The Office aired on Tuesdays in the United States at 9:30 p.m. The season debuted to high numbers, and garnered moderately positive reviews from critics aside from a poorly received pilot episode. While some enjoyed the pilot, others opined that it was a mere copy of the original British version. Universal Studios Home Entertainment released season one in a single DVD on August 16, 2005. The DVD contained all six episodes, along with commentaries from creators, writers, actors, and directors on most of the episodes, as well as deleted scenes from all of the episodes.

  • 3Broadcast and reception

Production[edit]

The first season of the show was produced by Reveille Productions and Deedle-Dee Productions, both in association with NBC Universal Television Studios. The show is based upon the British series created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, who are executive producers on the show, and it is produced by Greg Daniels, also an executive producer, along with consulting producers Larry Wilmore[1] and Lester Lewis.[2] The show's writers include Daniels, Gervais, Merchant, and Michael Schur,[3] while Mindy Kaling, Paul Lieberstein, and B. J. Novak double as writers as well as actors in the show, and between them, wrote three episodes on the season. For this season, Schur was a co-producer, Kaling was a staff writer, Lieberstein was a consulting producer, and Novak was an executive story editor. The first episode, 'Pilot', was written by Daniels, but the majority of the episode was adapted from 'Episode One' of the British series, with many scenes being transferred almost verbatim.[4]

Season one featured episodes directed by five different directors. The Office features both a 'team of directors' as well as several directors who are freelanced. Ken Kwapis, directed the first two episodes 'Pilot' and 'Diversity Day', and would go on to direct another eleven episodes in total, including the final episode of the series. Ken Whittingham, who directed 'Health Care' would go on to direct another eight episodes in total. Daniels both produced and directed the episode 'Basketball'. The Office was almost entirely filmed in an actual office building in Los Angeles, California for its first season. Aside from Los Angeles, the city of Scranton, Pennsylvania, where the show is set, was also used for shots for the opening theme.[5]

Cast[edit]

Many characters portrayed by The Office cast are based on the British version of the show. While these characters normally have the same attitude and perceptions as their British counterparts, the roles have been redesigned to better fit the American show. The show is known for its generally large cast size, many of whom are known particularly for their improvisational work. Steve Carell stars as Michael Scott, Regional Manager of the Dunder Mifflin Scranton Branch.[6] Loosely based on David Brent, Gervais' character in the British version,[7] Scott is a dim-witted and lonely man, who attempts to win friends as the office comedian, usually making himself look bad in the process. Rainn Wilson portrays Dwight Schrute, who, based upon Gareth Keenan, is the Assistant to the Regional Manager, although the character frequently intentionally omits the 'to the' in his title.[8]John Krasinski portrays Jim Halpert, a sales representative and prankster, who is based upon Tim Canterbury, and is in love with Pam Beesly, the receptionist.[9] Pam, who is based on Dawn Tinsley, is shy, but is often a cohort with Jim in his pranks on Dwight.[10] B. J. Novak portrays Ryan Howard, who is a temporary worker.[11]

The show includes many supporting characters playing roles of office workers, working in various positions around the office. Angela Martin, Oscar Martinez, and Kevin Malone are the office's accountants, and are portrayed by Angela Kinsey, Oscar Nunez, and Brian Baumgartner, respectively. Schrute, Halpert, Phyllis Lapin (portrayed by Phyllis Smith), and Stanley Hudson (portrayed by Leslie David Baker), compose the sales division of Dunder Mifflin Scranton. Kate Flannery portrays Meredith Palmer, the promiscuous Supplier Relations Representative, writer-actress Mindy Kaling portrays Kelly Kapoor, the pop culture-obsessed Customer Service Representative, writer-actor Paul Lieberstein portrays Toby Flenderson, the sad-eyed Human Resources Representative, and Creed Bratton plays a fictionalized version of himself as the office's Quality Assurance Officer. Other characters include Roy Anderson, Pam's fiance played by David Denman, Warehouse Supervisor Darryl Philbin, played by Craig Robinson, and Jan Levinson, Michael's main love interest, who is portrayed by Melora Hardin.[12]

Broadcast and reception[edit]

Ratings[edit]

Ratings for the first season of The Office

The first episode of The Office scored well in ratings, gaining over eleven million viewers, as well as ranking third in its timeslot on the night of its airing.[13][14] But the episode aired on a Thursday evening, and between the change from the first episode and the second episode, The Office moved to its regular time slot on Tuesday evenings. The Office tumbled in the ratings, averaging under 6.0 million viewers, just over half that of the previous episode.[15][16] The first-season finale 'Hot Girl' received one of the lowest rating in the show's history, earning just a 2.2 rating with a 10 share.[17] After the lackluster reception of the episode, many critics erroneously predicted that 'Hot Girl' would also serve as the de factoseries finale.[17]The Office averaged 5.4 million viewers for its entire season, ranking it #102 for the 2004–2005 U.S. television season.[18]

Reviews[edit]

Steve Carell was initially criticized for his portrayal of Michael Scott, although his character soon garnered critical favor.

The series premiere, 'Pilot', received largely mixed reviews from critics.[19] After the first episodes, critics thought The Office would be another failed remake of a British comedy, much like how the American version of Coupling was in relation to the original British series.[20]The Deseret Morning News believed The Office was a failed remake, and said 'Maybe, after The Office dies a quick death on NBC, the network will decide that trying to Americanize British TV comedies isn't such a great idea.'[21]The New York Daily News said the show was 'neither daring nor funny', adding that 'NBC's version is so diluted there's little left but muddy water'.[22]The Los Angeles Times complained that Steve Carell, who portrays Scott and also appeared in the movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, was 'too cartoon' and said: 'Lost in translation is the sadness behind the characters.'[22]

Despite these criticisms, the remainder of the season earned mostly positive reviews among critics. The season scored 62 out of 100 on Metacritic (a website that assigns a weighted average score for media), which translates to 'generally favorable reviews.'[23]Time magazine wrote that 'It's ironic that NBC's most original sitcom in years is a remake, but who cares? The Office is a daring, unflinching take on very American workplace tensions.'[19]Boston.com felt that the first season of The Office was good, and the differences between the characters of the American and the original series added to the popularity of the series.[24] Rob Owen of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette felt that The Office succeeded in its first season, and that although NBC had failed in the past with television shows such as Coupling, it had found achievement with The Office.[25]Entertainment Weekly awarded the season a 'B+' and wrote that The Office 'is clever and insular, capturing all the drudgery, awkwardness, and rivalry of cubicle living' and that the last five episodes help to illustrate that the series has 'crossed the pond handily.'[26]

In addition, 'Diversity Day,' the season's second episode, has been regarded as one of the best episodes of the entire show. TV Guide named it the nineteenth greatest episode of any television show in 2009.[27]Rolling Stone magazine named the scene wherein Michael shows the office his diversity video the third greatest moment from The Office.[28]

Accolades[edit]

In its first year, The Office was nominated for several awards, including three Writers Guild of America Award nods. These included nominations for Best Comedy Series and Best New Series. In addition, for his work on this episode, B. J. Novak was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Screenplay – Episodic Comedy.[29]

Episodes[edit]

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code [30]		U.S. viewers
(millions)
11'Pilot'Ken KwapisRicky Gervais & Stephen Merchant and Greg DanielsMarch 24, 2005100111.20[14]
A documentary crew arrives at the Scranton, Pennsylvania, offices of Dunder Mifflin to observe the employees and learn about modern management. Regional manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell) tries to paint a happy picture in the face of potential downsizing from corporate. The office also gets new employee Ryan Howard (B. J. Novak) as a temporary worker, while salesman Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) pranks and antagonizes fellow salesman Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), much to the enjoyment of receptionist Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer).
22'Diversity Day'Ken KwapisB. J. NovakMarch 29, 200510026.00[15]
Michael's controversial imitation of a Chris Rock routine forces the staff to undergo a racial diversity seminar. A consultant (guest star Larry Wilmore) arrives to teach the staff about tolerance and diversity, but Michael insists on imparting his own knowledge, aggravating both the consultant and the entire office staff, and creates his own diversity seminar. He eventually assigns each staff member an index card with a different race on it, causing tempers to slowly simmer until they finally snap. Meanwhile, Jim struggles to keep hold of a lucrative contract extension, but Dwight makes the sale for himself. Nevertheless, when Pam falls asleep on Jim's shoulder at the end of the meeting, he concludes that it was 'not a bad day.'
33'Health Care'Ken WhittinghamPaul LiebersteinApril 5, 200510065.80[31]
In an effort to save money to prevent downsizing, Michael puts Dwight in charge of choosing the company's new health care plan. Dwight's chosen plan slashes benefits, much to the chagrin of the other employees. In an attempt to appease them, Michael promises the entire office a surprise, and then spends the rest of the day scrambling to come through with his promise. The employees wait for Michael's surprise, which he awkwardly never delivers. Meanwhile, Jim and Pam amuse themselves with Dwight's medical forms.
44'The Alliance'Bryan GordonMichael SchurApril 12, 200510045.40[32]
As downsizing rumors swirl, paranoia takes over the members of the office. Dwight forms a 'Survivor'-esque alliance with Jim against the other employees—later adding Pam also. Meanwhile, Michael arranges a morale-boosting birthday party for Supplier Relations representative Meredith Palmer (Kate Flannery), although her birthday is more than a month away. Michael agonizes over writing the perfect greeting in her birthday card, and in the end, his joke (and subsequent rejected ones) falls flat, ruining the party.
55'Basketball'Greg DanielsGreg DanielsApril 19, 200510055.00[33]
Michael and the office staff take on the workers in the warehouse in a basketball game. Through racist and sexist ideals, Michael chooses many of the lesser skilled office workers over their more athletic peers. Michael claims a 'flagrant personal intentional foul,' stops the game, and declares his team as the winners. The warehouse finds the call unfair and Michael caves under pressure, and concedes the victory to the warehouse staff. Michael eventually tells the office that they don't have to come in on Saturday either, but it does little to calm them: 'Like coming in an extra day is going to prevent us from being downsized.'
66'Hot Girl'Amy HeckerlingMindy KalingApril 26, 200510034.80[14]
When an attractive purse saleswoman named Katy (Amy Adams) comes to the office, Michael and Dwight openly vie for her attention. Meanwhile, the corporate office allocates $1,000 as a prize for the top office salesman, but Michael spends the money on an espresso machine, trying to impress Katy. However, in the end she leaves with Jim, devastating both Michael and Dwight.

DVD release[edit]

The Office: The Complete First Season
Set details[34]Special features[34]
  • 6 episodes
  • 1 disc set
  • 1.78:1 aspect ratio
  • Subtitles: English, Spanish
  • English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
  • Commentary on 4 episodes by the actors, writers, and producers:
    'Pilot'
    'Diversity Day'
    'The Alliance'
    'Basketball'
  • Deleted scenes from every episode
Release dates
Region 1Region 2
August 16, 2005[35]April 10, 2006

References[edit]

  1. ^Bashir, Martin (October 10, 2007). 'Veteran TV Writer Moves in Front of the Camera'. ABC News. American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
  2. ^Adalian, Josef (July 5, 2005). 'WB Finds King of 'Kings''. Daily Variety. Penske Business Media. Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved January 5, 2013.(subscription required)
  3. ^Paumgarten, Nick (October 3, 2005). 'Fender Bender'. The New Yorker (Condé Nast). Retrieved March 7, 2008.
  4. ^'In Conversation: Greg Daniels, Executive Producer/Showrunner of The Office (U.S.)'. HeyWriterBoy. June 20, 2007. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  5. ^Marchese, John (October 21, 2005). 'Scranton Embraces the ‘Office’ Infamy'. The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved March 7, 2008.
  6. ^Jones, Del (September 27, 2007). 'Taking 'Office' Lessons from the World's Greatest (Inept) Boss'. USA Today ( Gannett Company, Inc). Retrieved March 7, 2008.
  7. ^Stanley, Alessandra (April 8, 2007). 'Jolly Good Show Or Was It?; On TV, Attitude Is More Important Than the Way the Vowels Sound'. The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved March 7, 2008
  8. ^Rooney, Brian (September 7, 2007). 'The Man Behind 'The Office's' Favorite Suck-Up, Dwight Schrute'. ABC News. American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved March 7, 2008
  9. ^Carter, Bill (March 20, 2005). 'The Office' Transfers to a New Cubicle'. The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved March 7, 2008.
  10. ^Stanley, Alessandra (March 24, 2005). 'An American-Style 'Office' With a Boss From Heck'. The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved March 7, 2008.
  11. ^Pesca, Mike (May 12, 2008). 'alking With 'Office' Star B.J. Novak'. National Public Radio. Archived from the original on February 16, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2013.(subscription required)
  12. ^'The Office Cast and Details'. TV Guide. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  13. ^Wilkes, Neil (March 26, 2005). 'American 'Office' an Early Ratings Hit'. Digital SpyHearst Magazines UK). Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  14. ^ abcWestbury, Anna (May 17, 2012). 'Infographic: The Lifespan of The Office'. Paste Magazine. Wolfgang's Vault. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
  15. ^ ab'Nielsen Ratings Report: March 28–April 3, 2005'. Daily Variety. Penske Business Media. April 6, 2005. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2013.(subscription required)
  16. ^'Stunning Tumble for NBC's 'The Office''. Media Life Magazine. March 30, 2005. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  17. ^ ab'Lower the Lights for NBC's 'The Office''. Media Life Magazine. April 27, 2005. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  18. ^'Final audience and ratings figures for 2004–05'. The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved March 28, 2008.
  19. ^ ab'Office Remake Has its US TV debut'. BBC News. BBC. Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  20. ^Maynard, John (March 20, 2005). 'Office Humor and a Joyless 'Stick'. The Washington Post (The Washington Post Company). Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  21. ^Pierce, Scott (March 24, 2005). 'NBC is off target with The Office'. The Deseret Morning News (Deseret News Publishing Company). Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  22. ^ abGibson, Owen (March 23, 2005). 'US Version of Office Gets Cool Reception'. The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  23. ^'The Office: Season 1'. Metacritic. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  24. ^Gilbert, Matthew (March 24, 2005) It's Not as Warped as the Original, But 'The Office' is Painfully Funny'. The Boston Globe (The New York Times Company). Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  25. ^Owen, Rob (March 23, 2005). 'TV Reviews: American 'Office' Works For and Gets the Laughs'. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Block Communications). Retrieved March 9, 2008.
  26. ^Flynn, Gillian (March 15, 2005). 'The Office'Entertainment Weekly (Time, Inc). Retrieved February 11, 2008.
  27. ^'TV Guide's 100 Best Episodes of All Time'. TV Guide. 2009.
  28. ^Thomas, Lindsey (October 17, 2007) The 25 Greatest Moments from The OfficeRolling Stone (Wenner Media LLC). Retrieved June 16, 2008. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007.
  29. ^'2006 Writers Guild Awards Television and Radio Nominees Announced'Archived 2013-10-12 at the Wayback Machine. Writers Guild of America. December 14, 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2008.
  30. ^'Shows A–Z – Office, The on NBC'. The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  31. ^'Nielsen Ratings Report: April 4–10, 2005'. Daily Variety. Penske Business Media. April 13, 2005. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2013.(subscription required)
  32. ^'Nielsen Ratings Report: April 11–17, 2005'. Daily Variety. Penske Business Media. April 20, 2005. Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2013.(subscription required)
  33. ^'Nielsen Ratings Report: April 18–24, 2005'. Daily Variety. Penske Business Media. May 2, 2005. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2013.(subscription required)
  34. ^ abThe Office: The Complete First Season (back cover). Ken Kwapis, et al. NBC.CS1 maint: others (link)
  35. ^Lacey, Gord (June 1, 2005). 'Head to 'The Office This Summer'. TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2008. Retrieved March 10, 2008.

External links[edit]

  • List of The Office episodes on IMDb
  • List of The Office season 1 episodes at TV.com
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Office_(U.S._season_1)&oldid=893363723'
'Pilot'
The Office episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 1
Directed byKen Kwapis
Teleplay by
Production code1001[1]
Original air dateMarch 24, 2005
Guest appearance(s)
  • Melora Hardin as Jan Levinson
  • David Denman as Roy Anderson
Episode chronology
← Previous
—		Next →
'Diversity Day'
The Office (U.S. season 1)
List of The Office (U.S. TV series) episodes

'Pilot' is the first episode of the first season of the American comedy television series The Office. The episode premiered in the United States on NBC on March 24, 2005. The episode's teleplay was adapted by Greg Daniels from the original script of the first episode of the British version written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. The episode was directed by Ken Kwapis.

The Office Season 1 Episode 1

In this episode, a documentary crew arrives at the Scranton, Pennsylvania offices of Dunder Mifflin to observe the employees and learn about modern management. Manager Michael Scott (Steve Carell) tries to paint a happy picture in the face of potential downsizing from corporate. The office also gets new employee Ryan Howard (B. J. Novak) as a temporary worker, while Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) pranks antagonist Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson).

'Pilot' debuted The Office as a midseason replacement for the 2004–05 season. The episode was primarily adapted from the first episode of the British series, although it was partially re-scripted in an attempt to 'Americanize' the new show. Although the episode was a ratings success, receiving a 5.0/13 in the Nielsen ratings among people aged 18–49, and garnering 11.2 million viewers overall, the episode received mixed reviews, with many critics criticizing it as a complete copy of the original.

  • 2Production
  • 3Reception

Plot[edit]

The Office Season 1 Episode 1

The episode introduces Michael Scott (Steve Carell), the regional manager of Dunder Mifflin, a paper-production company that is currently under threat of facing downsizing. The news is delivered to him by the Vice President of Northeast Sales, Jan Levinson-Gould (Melora Hardin), who, along with the other employees, can barely tolerate Michael’s foolish antics.

Also introduced are a few of the other workers in the office, such as Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson), a socially awkward salesman and part-time, volunteer sheriff’s deputy; Jim Halpert (John Krasinski), another salesman who enjoys playing pranks on Dwight; Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer), the receptionist on whom Jim harbors an obvious crush; and Ryan Howard (B. J. Novak), a temporary worker.

Production[edit]

'Pilot' was based on the original first episode of the British version of The Office, created by Ricky Gervais.

The episode debuted the series as a midseason replacement for the 2004–05 season. The pilot is a direct adaptation of the first episode of the British version.[2] Daniels had decided to go through this route because 'completely starting from scratch would be a very risky thing to do' due to the show being an adaptation.[2] Although the episode was primarily adapted from the first episode of the British series, it was partially re-scripted in an attempt to 'Americanize' it.[3][4] Jokes such as Dwight's stapler being put in Jell-O by Jim were transferred verbatim from the original series, while others were only slightly changed. Although later reshot, a scene in which Jim tapes pencils to his desk was originally filmed as a parallel to a scene in the British version, in which Tim Canterbury stacks up cardboard boxes in front of Gareth Keenan to restrict Keenan's view of Canterbury.[5] 'Pilot' was filmed almost six months prior to beginning of filming on the second episode of the season, 'Diversity Day'.[6]The Office used no laugh tracks in the 'Pilot', wanting its 'deadpan' and 'absurd' humor to fully come across.[7]

Casting[edit]

NBC programmer Kevin Reilly originally suggested Paul Giamatti to producer Ben Silverman for the role of Michael Scott, but the actor declined. Martin Short, Hank Azaria and Bob Odenkirk were also reported to be interested.[8] In January 2004, Variety reported Steve Carell, of the popular Comedy Central program The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, was in talks to play the role. At the time, he was already committed to another NBC mid-season replacement comedy, Come to Papa, but the series was quickly canceled, leaving him fully committed to The Office.[9] Carell later stated he had only seen about half of the original pilot episode of the British series before he auditioned. He did not continue watching for fear that he would start copying Gervais' characterizations.[10]Rainn Wilson, who was cast as the power-hungry sycophantDwight Schrute, watched every episode of the series before he auditioned. Wilson had originally auditioned for Michael, a performance he described as a 'terrible Ricky Gervais impersonation'; however, the casting directors liked his audition as Dwight much more and hired him for the role.[11]

John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer were virtual unknowns before being cast in their respective roles as Jim and Pam, the central love interests. Krasinski had attended school with, and was a friend of B. J. Novak. Krasinski recalled accidentally insulting Greg Daniels while waiting to audition for the series, telling him, 'I hope [the show's developers] don't screw this up.' Daniels then introduced himself and told Krasinski who he was.[12] Fischer prepared for her audition by looking as boring as possible, creating the original Pam hairstyle.[13] In an interview on NPR's Fresh Air, Fischer recalled the last stages of the audition process for Pam and Jim, with the producers partnering the different potential Pams and Jims (four of each) together to gauge their chemistry. When Fischer finished her scene with Krasinski, he told her that she was his favorite Pam, to which she reciprocated that he was her favorite Jim.[14] Many actors originally filmed as extras in this episode would go on to become supporting cast members in later episodes, and the two women wearing blue sweaters towards the back of the room at the staff meeting scene were actual accountants that worked on the production staff.[5]

Reception[edit]

Ratings[edit]

'Pilot' premiered on NBC on March 24, 2005.[15] The episode received a 5.0/13 in the Nielsen ratings among people aged 18–49, meaning that 5.0 percent of all 18- to 49-year-olds viewed the episode.[15] The episode garnered 11.2 million viewers overall.[15] 'Pilot' ranked as the number one show in the key 18–49 demographic, outperforming all five of its network competitors.[15] In addition, the episode ranked as the third most-watched show for that evening.[16] With over 11 million views, it is the second most watched episode of the series, after the fifth season episode 'Stress Relief,' which attracted 22.9 million viewers.[17]

Reviews[edit]

'Pilot' received mixed reviews after its premiere.[18] Many sources deemed it another failed American reincarnation of a British show. A reviewer from the Deseret Morning News said, 'Maybe, after The Office dies a quick death on NBC, the network will decide that trying to Americanize British TV comedies isn't such a great idea.'[19]The New York Daily News said the show was 'neither daring nor funny', adding that 'NBC's version is so diluted there's little left but muddy water'.[20]The Los Angeles Times complained that Steve Carell, who portrays Scott and also appeared in the movie Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, was 'too cartoon' and said: 'Lost in translation is the sadness behind the characters.'[20]

The Office Season 2 Free

Erik Adams of The A.V. Club gave the episode a C+ and felt that it was a lackluster copy of the original.[21] He noted that 'the fatal flaw of this episode—though it could’ve been a proviso in the licensing agreement signed by Gervais and Merchant—involves dropping reminders of the U.K. Office’s pilot left and right', and that 'this episode pales in comparison' to the original British version.[21] However, Adams complimented the character of Pam, noting that 'she’s also the embodiment of a certain grounded, de-glamorized look and tone these early episodes sold well—before subsequent seasons dropped them along with the most obvious concessions to the 'workplace documentary' conceit.'[21]

Although many perceived the first episode to have been a failure, some outlets praised the new show. While berating the show for coming across 'slowly and painfully', the Boston Globe said that 'it is funny'.[22] In relation to past failed shows adapted from British shows, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette stated 'Despite botching the American remake of the BritcomCoupling, NBC makes a pretty good effort in its version of The Office in duplicating the original's ethos while injecting it with an American sensibility.'[23]

The Office Season 1 Episode 1 Dailymotion

References[edit]

The Office Season 1 Episode 1 Megashare

  1. ^'Shows A–Z – Office, The on NBC'. The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
  2. ^ ab'In Conversation: Greg Daniels, Executive Producer/Showrunner of The Office (U.S.)'. HeyWriterBoy. June 20, 2007. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  3. ^'NBC Opens 'Office' in America'. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. March 20, 2005. Retrieved January 3, 2013.
  4. ^Goodman, Tim (March 24, 2005). 'Miracle time—Americanized 'Office' is Good'. San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 22, 2008
  5. ^ abWilson, Rainn (Actor). 2005. 'Pilot' [Commentary track], The Office Season One (US/NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal.
  6. ^Novak, B.J. (Actor). 2005. 'Pilot' [Commentary track], The Office Season One (US/NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal.
  7. ^Stanley, Alessandra (March 24, 2005). 'An American-Style 'Office' With a Boss From Heck'. The New York Times. Retrieved February 22, 2008
  8. ^Carter, Bill (September 17, 2006). 'The Whole World Is Watching, and Ben Silverman Is Watching Back'. The New York Times. Retrieved on April 12, 2008.
  9. ^Susman, Gary (January 29, 2004). 'Daily Show's Carell May Star in Office Remake'. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on April 12, 2008.
  10. ^Carell, Steve (Actor). 2005. 'Pilot' [Commentary track], The Office Season One (U.S./NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal.
  11. ^Wilson, Rainn (Actor). 2005. 'Pilot' [Commentary track], The Office Season One (U.S./NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal.
  12. ^Krasinski, John (Actor). 2005. 'Pilot' [Commentary track], The Office Season One (U.S./NBC Version) [DVD], Los Angeles, CA: Universal
  13. ^Fischer, Jenna (February 9, 2006). 'The Office Presents: 'Valentine's Day'. TVGuide. Retrieved on April 12, 2008.
  14. ^'Jenna Fischer, Keeping It Real at 'The Office''. NPR. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
  15. ^ abcd'Mar 25, 2005 Press Release ('Pilot')' (Press release). NBC. February 27, 2007. Archived from the original on October 10, 2008. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
  16. ^Wilkes, Neil (March 26, 2005). American 'Office' an early ratings hit. Digital Spy. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
  17. ^Gorman, Bill (February 2, 2009). 'Updated: The Office Draws 22.905 Million Viewers Following the Super Bowl'. TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
  18. ^'Office Remake Has its US TV Debut'. BBC News. March 24, 2005. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  19. ^Pierce, Scott (March 24, 2005). 'NBC is Off Target with The Office'. The Deseret Morning News. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  20. ^ abGibson, Owen (March 23, 2005). 'US Version of Office Gets Cool Reception'. The Guardian. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  21. ^ abcAdams, Erik (June 4, 2013). ''Pilot'/'Diversity Day' The Office (Classic TV) TV Club'. The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  22. ^Matthew, Gilbert (March 24, 2005). 'It's Not as Warped as the Original, But 'The Office' is Painfully Funny'. The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
  23. ^Owen, Rob (March 23, 2005). 'TV Reviews: American 'Office' Works For and Gets the Laughs'. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 23, 2008.

External links[edit]

  • 'Pilot' at NBC.com
  • 'Pilot' on IMDb
  • 'Pilot' at TV.com
The office season 1 episode 1 free
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