5/5 Best TV Show
  by P. Win (New York, NY)
One of the best TV comedy shows ever, next to friends. First season is short and not as funny as the later seasons.

3/5 Growing Pains
  by TSabonis (Sioux City, IA, USA)
Here we have the first few episodes of what is now my favorite comedy on TV. But, as with most TV shows we are in the "Groundwork Paradox". When they make a sequel to a great movie, invariably it pales in comparison and is a second rate work (there are a few exceptions). With TV the reverse is often true. In the first season or two of most TV shows you can see the writers and producers feeling out the characters and seeing what works and what doesn't. This is especially true here in the first season of the office. While the episodes Health Care and the Alliance are great, the other episodes fall flat as we are left wondering what to make of the consistently clueless Michael Scott, the tireless sycophant Dwight K Schrute, the relentlessly aloof Jim Halpert and the rest of the staff.

You do not need to see this season to enjoy the others, but it does lay a nice groundwork for the coming episodes. Just be prepared to be shocked and amazed (not necessarily in a good way) by the actions of Michael Scott.

T

5/5 The Office is hilarious!
  by Morgan Sexton
I loved how the series started. It's so funny & it has a lot of dry humor. I also loved how fast it arrived at my door!!

1/5 Not very impressed..
  by Roark Dority (Vancouver, BC)
I realize many have raved about this show. What can I say? I ordered season 1 and thought it would be great. The first episode had a funny moment or two but that was it. The 2nd episode same thing. About 1 funny moment. Third episode, again, about 1 funny moment.

It's a real shame because I had heard so many good things about this show, I'd already purchased seasons 2, 3 and 4 on sale at the video store.

Sheesh.. I sure hope the show gets better. But after a peek at an episode from season 5, it doesn't appear to have changed a bit. So.. Just a word of warning to the wise shopper. Try watching an episode or two first before ordering entire seasons. Otherwise, you might be sorry.

I just returned from the video store where I got my $ back for seasons 2, 3 and 4 which fortunately, I had not yet opened.

This might help:

However you felt about 'Waiting for Guffman' is how you'll probably feel about this series. Super dry, awkward humor. It's so much like a real office, it's painful and not very funny.

I also liken this series to 'Weeds'. That's about the only other series so far that just never really worked for me. I watched a season or two and decided it wasn't getting better. The characters were flat, etc. This is pretty much the same reaction I'm having to 'The Office.'

I can see how this would appeal to a bully, someone who likes to pick on the office nerd and such. But that's so 100 years ago, don't cha think!? ;)


3/5 Good introduction to what becomes a terrific show
  by A. Reinwand
6 episodes

SPECIAL FEATURES
1. Deleted scenes
2. Five episode commentaries

Total Viewing Time: 300 minutes

Aside from the "Pilot" episode, the remainder of season one of The Office is all original to the US version of the show. Personally, I never saw the British version, so I don't really have a problem with the "Pilot" episode, but episodes written specifically for the UDS version are far superior. With only six episodes, it's hard to judge the show, but it's easy to see how much potential The Office has - and will succeed with future seasons - but for now, this is a good taste test for an introduction.

None of the episodes here are great, but most are pretty good or have a few classic scenes. Everyone seems to love "Diversity Day" but I found "Basketball" to be the best episode of the set.

For special features, all we get are deleted scenes and five commentaries - two different commentaries on the "Pilot" episodes. Having Steve Carell in some of the commentaries is great (as of season 5's DVD set he has not done one since) and hearing just how much fun everyone has together really makes you enjoy the show even more. The deleted scenes are also wonderful, and there is an hour of scenes here - with each episode having some to enjoy.

Some will see the price for this set and think it's a bit expensive for six episodes, but if you're a collector like me and you want the complete series, then season one is necessary. And there are some great moments to be found. Season two is when the show really finds its footing and contains some classic episodes, but season one is where we get to see the beginnings of a truly wonderful show.

8.1 THE SHOW ITSELF
8.8 VISUALS
7.5 SOUND
6.0 PACKAGING
8.3 EXTRAS

7.7/10 FINAL VERDICT