Thursday, September 21, 2006
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The comparative political economy of The Office
Liesl Schillinger has an interesting essay in Slate comparing and contrasting four different versions of The Office. In addition to the U.K. and U.S. versions, both French (Le Bureau) and German television (Stromberg) have produced variants on the show. Schillinger's takeaway: [T]he base-line mood of David Brent's workplace—resignation mingled with self-loathing—is unrecognizably alien to our (well, my) sensibility. In the American office, passivity mingles with rueful hopefulness: An American always believes there's something to look forward to. A Brit does not, and finds humor in that hopelessness. What truths, I wondered, might Le Bureau and Stromberg reveal about the French and German professional milieus?...
Comments: Hmm. posted by: Racer X, Speed Racer's (unbeknownst to him) brother on 09.21.06 at 02:47 PM [permalink]While the "The Office" and "Extras" were both sharp and funny shows, I find a nihilism at the center of Gervais'work that leaves me with a residue of sadness and depression after watching an episode. Antonio posted by: Antonio Manetti on 09.21.06 at 02:47 PM [permalink]Post a Comment: |
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