Wernham Hogg vs. Dunder Mifflin

As I watched the season finale of the U.S. version of The Office last night, I realized that while I enjoy the U.S. version that the U.K. original is a far, far better show. My arguments in favor:

David vs. Michael

David is much more of an idiot. He is also charmingly unaware of his idiocy. Michael, while dumb, seems to recognize his idiocy when others confront it. Watching David's antics can make you feel embarrassed to be part of the human race. Watching Michael just makes you feel sorry for the guy.

A point to Wernham Hogg.

Jim vs. Tim

Tim is supposed to be the everyday regular man on the UK version of the show. However, since I was raised in the United States I find it hard to relate to Tim's Britishness. Jim's character is a perfect realization of the workaday everyman in the U.S. Watching the show, you can feel Jim's suffering, and in general relate to him very directly. We like Jim, because we all "are" Jim to some degree. Plus, Tim's haircut sucks.

Dunder Mifflin earns a cookie.

Pam vs. Dawn

I'd call this one even up, but personally I think Pam is a little more attractive than Dawn. Pam has that girl-next door understated beauty look, while Dawn is more the low-rent blonde type. Dawn spends a lot of time in tears on the U.K. version, while on the U.S. version of the show, Pam's interplay with Jim is much more "fun".

Dunder Mifflin goes for two.

Dwight vs. Gareth

Dwight is an insane caricature of the anal archetypes we find at work. His over-the-top appearance in last week's episode (full police outfit anyone?) was just a little too far left of center for the show. Dwight is just plain creepy. Gareth on the other hand is a boy trapped in a man's body. He has a childlike exuberance for his interests. Gareth has a gun holster for his cellphone. He's strict because he has a child's sense of fairplay (I'm going to tell on you!). He is a Top Trumps master. He wonders if there will ever "be a boy born that can swim faster than a shark." Gareth has the naivete of a child and it's ingratiating, even when his actions are repugnant and anal.

Wernham Hogg is back in it.

Kevin vs. Keith

Not much to say here. In the U.S. version, Kevin is in a band, and a world-champion poker player. In the U.K. version, Keith's timing and inappropriate comments make for hilarious moments. Keith's Ali G costume was one of the highlights of the series.

Wernham Hogg piles it on.

Todd Packer vs. Chris Finch

Todd dropped a dookie in Michael's office. Finch distributed photoshop porn of David Brent. Finchy's obnoxiousness knows no bounds, while Todd seems to be a pretty minor character in the U.S. version of the show.

Wernham Hogg makes it three in a row.

"Intangibles"

The U.S. has a writer on the show, B.J. Novak, playing Ryan Howard. Ryan's interoffice relationship woes (with Kelly Kapour) make for an interesting side story. The Interns in the U.K. version aren't near as entertaining as Ryan and Kelly.

Is this the start of a comeback? It's Dunder Mifflin by a nose.

The Love Story vs. The Love Story

Tim and Dawn. Jim and Pam. In the U.S. Jim and Pam are kissing at the end of the second season. Can't say it made me feel much. In the U.K. "The Office" special, Tim and Dawn finally fall into each other's arms after, what seems like, ages. It was truly a moving moment to see Dawn come walking back in to the office, and let Tim know how she truly felt. On pure emotion and gut feeling alone, I have to go with ...

Wernham Hogg

Overall

Both versions take a few episodes to ingratiate themselves to you. The UK version is simply the better show, with better characters. The storyline can be a bit strange at first, since not all aspects of English office life translate well to the U.S. However, with the U.K. version of the show, the characters are more intense. That is, you hate David more than you hate Michael, your skin crawls more for Gareth than it does for Dwight, and you love Tim and Dawn much more than you feel for Jim and Pam.

The final score: Wernham Hogg: 5, Dunder Mifflin: 3