The Australian version of The Office was released on Amazon Prime Video today (October 18) and it’s fair to say that viewers are divided.
READ MORE: ‘The Office’ review: Amazon’s workaday Australian remake is dogged by déjà vu
It’s the latest adaptation of the BBC series, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, that first aired in 2001. Numerous other adaptations have been produced around the world, with the US series being the longest-running. A follow-up, The Paper, has been announced to premiere on the streaming platform Peacock, too.
Many viewers of the Australian adaptation, however, seem to be unimpressed, with one writing on X/Twitter, “10 minutes of The Office Australia made me want to drink a pint of bleach,” and another opining that it’s simply “so bad soo soo bad.”
Someone else, meanwhile, called it “fucking awful” and “possibly the worst version” of the show. One more wrote, “I am a huge fan of the show, The Office. Both the UK and the US. I just gave the Australian one a shot and I lasted less than five minutes – what an insult to an iconic brand/show. Not even going to get into it, just don’t waste your time.”
10 minutes of The Office Australia made me want to drink a pint of bleach pic.twitter.com/PPj9RTgplr
— Marc Bangs (@MarcAFCBangs98) October 18, 2024
The office Australia so bad soo soo bad
— ℳ (@maeeemii) October 18, 2024
Update: it’s fucking awful, possibly the worst version of the office
— L T (@d_chels96) October 17, 2024
I am a huge fan of the show, The Office. Both the UK and the US.
I just gave the Australian one a shot and I lasted less than 5 minutes – what an insult to an iconic brand/show.
Not even going to get in to it, just don’t waste your time.
— Rusty B (@StretfordEnd_10) October 17, 2024
Another viewer was unsure, saying, “I have mixed feelings about the The Office Australia reboot. An uncanny valley type of feeling too. Though it kinda feels like if Utopia and The Office US had a baby.”
‘The Office’ was released today (October 18). CREDIT: John Platt/Amazon
Some viewers are enjoying it, with one writing, “Four episodes down of The Office Australia. Don’t hate it. Few good gags and enjoying the cast. Look forward to next four.” Another said, “Just finished The Office Australia, and I have to say I need more!”
One fan offered a balanced review, calling the jokes not “offensive enough” and “nowhere near close to the line,” but praising its awkward comedy.
I have mixed feelings about the “The Office” Australia reboot. An uncanny valley type of feeling too.
Though it kinda feels like if Utopia and The Office US had a baby.
— Kamau Wanyee (@mauwanyee) October 18, 2024
Four episodes down of The Office Australia. Don’t hate it. Few good gags and enjoying the cast.
Look forward to next four.#TheOffice @PrimeVideo
— Cammo (@CammoCox) October 18, 2024
Just finished The Office Australia, and I have to say I need more! #TheOffice#TheOfficeAustralia @BBCStudiosANZ @PrimeVideo
— Luke Griffin (@Luke_N_Griffin) October 18, 2024
I watched The Office Australia so you don’t have to:
– the jokes aren’t offensive enough, nowhere close to the line.
– they nailed The Office US’ awkward/situation comedy.
– I don’t mind the boss being female, she has the vibes.
~Continues with spoilers~
— JM (@space_jm_) October 18, 2024
NME, meanwhile, gave the “workaday Australian remake” a two-star review, describing it as being “dogged by déjà vu” but adding: “It took the US Office two seasons to stop being a bad cover version and hit its stride. In this cutthroat climate of streaming where series are prematurely culled, will this be allowed time to settle into its own unique rhythm? A fatalistic question that would probably be followed in The Office by a reaction cutaway shot to somebody’s eyes awkwardly darting from side to side.”
When the Australian adaptation was announced in May 2023, Gervais said in a statement: “I’m very excited about Australia remaking my little show from the turn of the century. Office politics have changed a bit in 20 years, so can’t wait to see how they navigate a modern-day David Brent.”
The post ‘The Office Australia’ gets divided reaction from viewers: “What an insult to an iconic show” appeared first on NME.
