The NBC sitcom The Office was based on the 2001 British hit comedy series of the same name, co-created by Ricky Gervais, who in the original series had also starred as David Brent, terminally disingenuous office manager of Wernham Hogg Paper Merchants (Slough Branch). The Office takes a look at the lives of its co-workers: bored but talented salesman Jim, his mildly sociopathic, butt kissing enemy Dwight, mildly righteous receptionist Pam, and indifferent temp Ryan. Regional manager of the Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company, Michael (Steve Carell) forever trying to put a "happy face" on office conditions where he worked, he thinks he’s the coolest, funniest, best boss ever - which, of course, makes him the uncoolest, most obnoxious and annoying boss as far as his staff are concerned. Salesman Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) has always loved receptionist Pam Beesly (Jenna Fischer) and loves sabotaging his cube-mate, the know-it-all Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson). Ryan Howard (B.J. Novak) started as a young, smart, self-possessed temp, but quickly figured out the real office politics despite Michael's attempts to instill the official point-of-view, and gets himself a job at corporate HQ in New York. To simulate the look of an actual documentary, it is filmed in a single-camera setup, without a studio audience or a laugh track. The presence of the camera is often explicitly acknowledged by the characters. The Office was adapted for American audiences by executive producer Greg Daniels, a veteran writer for Saturday Night Live, King of the Hill and The Simpsons. The creators of the original BBC series, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, have production credits, and also co-wrote the very first episode and the season three episode, "The Convict". It is co-produced by Daniels's Deedle-Dee Productions, and Reveille Productions, in association with NBC Universal Television Studios. The show debuted on NBC as a midseason replacement on March 24, 2005, replacing the situation comedy Committed. The original BBC version enjoyed significant success in the UK and abroad, and won two Golden Globes. NBC then commissioned a U.S. version. The Office is currently one of NBC's best rated shows, and consistently delivers a very high 18-49 demographic rating.
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