NBC now to copy "The Office" for US pilot
NBC Readies 'Office' Party from BBC Hit
Thursday October 16 3:33 AM ET
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Hot British comedy "The Office" has set up a U.S. branch at NBC.
The network has committed to a pilot for a U.S. version of the acclaimed BBC show. "King of the Hill" co-creator Greg Daniels was tapped in August to adapt the cult sitcom for the American audience.
Like the original series, NBC's "Office" will chronicle in a mockumentary style the day-to-day goings-on of a group of quirky employees at a paper-supply company terrorized by a boss from hell, played in the British series by Ricky Gervais, co-creator of the series with Stephen Merchant.
"Workplace comedies are a staple of TV. Unfortunately, most office comedies have all the reality leeched out of them," NBC president of primetime development Kevin Reilly said.
If the project goes to series, it will become the second NBC comedy based on a BBC show following this fall's freshman "Coupling." Both are from producer Ben Silverman.
Unlike "Coupling," which, with minor changes, films straight from the scripts for the original show, "The Office" will undergo an adaptation process with Daniels penning the pilot script.
"These are distinct British stereotypes, and we're going to find our American stereotypes of office life to translate, but we're going to work very closely with Ricky and Stephen," Silverman said.
There are no plans for Gervais to star in the U.S. version. "We're going to find our own American actors who can bring their own personality and hopefully create something that's appealing, smart and fresh," Silverman said.
As for the look and the feel of the show, "we're really going to be true to the unbelievable stylistic choices that served the British show so well," he said.
"The Office," which premiered on BBC 2 in 2001, dominated the BAFTA TV awards in 2002 and 2003, winning both years for best comedy series and best comedy performance (Gervais).
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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