The first British sitcom to win a Best Comedy Golden Globe, it was remade in a U.S. version that had almost 15 times as many episodes

In the Final Jeopardy round on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the category was “Sitcoms,” and the clue was as follows: The first British sitcom to win a Best Comedy Golden Globe, it was remade in a U.S. version that had almost 15 times as many episodes.

The correct response to this clue is The Office. Originally a British sitcom created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, The Office became a cultural phenomenon in both the U.K. and the U.S., with significant differences in the scale of their respective runs.

The British Origin of The Office

The original version of The Office aired in the U.K. on BBC Two between 2001 and 2003. Created by and starring Ricky Gervais as the awkward and often unlikable David Brent, the series focused on the daily lives of office workers at the fictional Wernham Hogg paper company. The British series was known for its dry humor, mockumentary style, and cringeworthy yet poignant moments.

In 2004, The Office became the first British sitcom to win the Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, a testament to its impact beyond the U.K. Though it only aired for 12 episodes, plus two Christmas specials, the British version made an indelible mark on the world of television.

The U.S. Remake of The Office

The U.S. version of The Office premiered on NBC in 2005 and ran for nine seasons, totaling 201 episodes. Developed by Greg Daniels, the American adaptation took the same mockumentary style but slowly evolved its tone and humor to fit U.S. audiences. Steve Carell took on the role of Michael Scott, the U.S. equivalent of David Brent, and the show featured an ensemble cast including Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, and Jenna Fischer.

While the first season followed the British version closely, the U.S. Office eventually developed its own identity, focusing more on character development and expanding the personal lives of the employees at Dunder Mifflin, a paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. This allowed the show to sustain a much longer run and find a place as a beloved part of American television.

A Tale of Two Versions

While both versions of The Office share the same basic premise, they differ in tone and storytelling approach. The British series is often described as darker, with a more cynical take on office life and the corporate world. In contrast, the U.S. version became more heartwarming over time, offering a balance of humor, awkwardness, and genuine emotion. These differences contributed to the contrasting lengths of the two series, with the U.S. version producing nearly 15 times as many episodes as its U.K. counterpart.

The U.S. version also achieved considerable acclaim in its own right, earning numerous awards, including a Peabody Award in 2006 and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2006.

The Lasting Legacy of The Office

Both versions of The Office have had lasting impacts on television and popular culture. The British series paved the way for the mockumentary format, inspiring other comedies like Parks and Recreation and Modern Family. Meanwhile, the U.S. version remains one of the most streamed shows in the world, with a dedicated fanbase that continues to grow, even years after the series concluded in 2013.

The success of The Office on both sides of the Atlantic demonstrates the adaptability of its core concept. Though it began as a small British series, its U.S. remake expanded the show’s reach, creating two distinct yet interconnected legacies in the world of sitcoms.