The Office - Season One (DVD, 2005)

Based on the hit BBC sitcom, The Office: Season 1 is the Americanized version of this hysterical sarcastic and funny mockumentary of working life. Steve Carrell wonderfully plays Michael Scot – the idiotic simpleton manager who controls a less-than-stellar group of analysts. Carrell considers himself a masterful academic and manager – and that’s half the fun of it. The other half? The show is shot as a “mockumentary” (think Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, the BBC Office series, etc) and is part from Correll’s point of view and part from the employees’ point of view.

If you’ve worked in a cubicle – you will somehow relate to the antics and relationships forged in this show. If you enjoyed “Office Space” – this is the sitcom version – but somehow more sadistic and satirical. If you like the “Meet the Family” make-you-feel-uncomfortable humor, this show thrives on it. If you like Steve Correll, The Daily Show, or The 40 Year Old Virgin, you’ll love The Office.

And like Arrested Development, The Office takes a little patience and getting used to. Its very different than the traditional Friends sitcoms – it truly strange and that’s part of the fun. So watch a couple episodes, get into the series and you’ll be hooked!

Other recommendations:
* Arrested Development
* The Office BBC
* The Daily Show
* The 40 Year Old Virgin
* Best in Show
* This is Spinal Tap
* Dilbert (animated cartoon)
* Waiting for Guffman
* Meet the Family
* Meet the Faukers