The Office: Embrace The Cringe

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  • Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
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    SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
    Lisa Zunshine, Theory of Mind and Fictions
    of Embodied Transparency" NARRATIVE, Vol. 16, No. 1 (January 2008)
    www.lisazunshin...
    George Butte, "I Know That You Know I Know" (via Ohio State Press)
    ohiostatepress...
    Maurice Merleu-Ponty, "The Primacy of Perception"
    www.hass.rpi.ed...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 993

  • @Neuroticmancer
    @Neuroticmancer 8 років тому +2034

    You're honestly the only Internet personality I've seen who's spoken about theory of mind, emotional intelligence and empathy without sneering at the very idea of it, as if just because you can't feel something, no one can feel that thing. So thank you for that

    • @christopherceasar5353
      @christopherceasar5353 8 років тому +42

      who sneers at EQ and empathy. its not the bs like law of attraction and other things.

    • @dionysianapollomarx
      @dionysianapollomarx 8 років тому +2

      Exactly.

    • @Locke3OOO
      @Locke3OOO 8 років тому +4

      also its lit fam

    • @dionysianapollomarx
      @dionysianapollomarx 8 років тому +4

      Locke3OOO Christmas comes 4 months early in your country?

    • @Locke3OOO
      @Locke3OOO 8 років тому +3

      Tardi Grade Im below the equator so yea i guess thats a way of saying things

  • @meltingpoint97
    @meltingpoint97 8 років тому +1639

    My old boss used to be really cringey, I miss him a lot

    • @extremelyexcellentmovies7257
      @extremelyexcellentmovies7257 8 років тому +32

      God I miss Michael

    • @lewiscranston881
      @lewiscranston881 8 років тому +20

      I actually found Jim cringier than Michael.

    • @01rai01
      @01rai01 8 років тому +25

      TUNA!

    • @rachit
      @rachit 8 років тому

      Love the pranks you played on that guy called Dwight

    • @keenondaquan4475
      @keenondaquan4475 8 років тому +5

      "You are no longer Big Tuna. From henceforth, you shall be known as Big Haircut"

  • @ayoanibaba5353
    @ayoanibaba5353 8 років тому +1937

    The original Office series is so discredited it's unreal. Happy that you paid homage!

    • @ayoanibaba5353
      @ayoanibaba5353 8 років тому +10

      +Opium Tea I know, I live in the UK hhaahha

    • @Benny1196
      @Benny1196 8 років тому +27

      It is? I always thought it was extremely popular.

    • @ayoanibaba5353
      @ayoanibaba5353 8 років тому +51

      +Blueberry yeah, people always say that the American Office is an upgrade 😔😔😔

    • @tylersimpson2974
      @tylersimpson2974 8 років тому +8

      Discredited?

    • @DavidJGillCA
      @DavidJGillCA 8 років тому +20

      More often quite the opposite is said.

  • @xisumavoid
    @xisumavoid 8 років тому +480

    Didn't know quite was i was expecting when i clicked the thumbnail but certainly not such a brilliant social breakdown of the psychology behind the humor. Fantastic video! well done :-)

    • @Michael-ml6ii
      @Michael-ml6ii 7 років тому +6

      xisumavoid hm? Wow I certainly didn’t expect u to have commented on this video.
      Especially since you’ve never expressed any sort of felling towards film or video essays.

    • @winrg1234
      @winrg1234 6 років тому

      wot lad, noice lad

    • @nziom
      @nziom 6 років тому

      Omg your here

    • @callumstanley2062
      @callumstanley2062 4 роки тому

      Hello X

    • @whisk3675
      @whisk3675 4 роки тому

      Got quite startled when I saw your comment here. Did not expect that in the slightest.

  • @PKMartin
    @PKMartin 8 років тому +213

    I literally can't watch this video and absorb what you are saying- the visual language of the Office is so strong that I'd get completely caught up in it and not even hear your narration, I had to minimise the video and just listen to actually register what you were saying. I think that's a testament to exactly what you were talking about: how fluently the show speaks the visual language of characters' mental state and interactions.

    • @shubhammakar09
      @shubhammakar09 5 років тому

      Same. I was getting so distracted while watching it.

  • @WeegieMovies
    @WeegieMovies 8 років тому +415

    I was recently made redundant in my job I had worked my arse off for, and tried so hard in to rise above. Watching the redundancy episode the first time was "aww". Watching it now is absolutely heartbreaking. It's so brutally real. As 'mockumentaries' and the likes go, I don't think The Office will ever be topped.

    • @rehmsmeyer
      @rehmsmeyer 8 років тому +12

      WeegieMovies I thought he was saying redundant but have no idea what that means in regards to the workplace - please help explain.

    • @WeegieMovies
      @WeegieMovies 8 років тому +53

      Соɾу ℛ. It's when you lose your job. It's not quite 'being fired' as that implies you've done something wrong. A redundancy is when the company, for whatever reason, has to cut a number of staff.

  • @xingcat
    @xingcat 8 років тому +100

    Great overview! I think also that the performative aspect of an artificial hierarchy, like the hierarchies that happen in an office environment, adds to the anxiety. In any other situation, someone who is as clueless and rude as David Brent would be shunned, but because of his position in the company, people need to coddle, ignore, or encourage his behavior to some extent. We've all been in work situations where someone who is clearly not capable of being in the position they're in manages to show up in a place of power, and how we have to deal with those types is so very obvious in both the UK and US versions of The Office.

    • @jmckey
      @jmckey 8 років тому +11

      Yeah, I used to think the Peter principle was more humor than reality until I entered into the post-college business world.
      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_principle
      "managers rise to the level of their incompetence."

    • @samtonetto4032
      @samtonetto4032 8 років тому +3

      Reminds me of George Lucas and the prequels

    • @Blech319
      @Blech319 8 років тому +3

      +james mckey Peter Principle is real. All too real.

    • @RosscoAW
      @RosscoAW 8 років тому +25

      Except that part of the point that they're making is the opposite of your proposition, there. David Brent shouldn't and doesn't deserve to be shunned, nor coddled, ignored, or encouraged; he's only the way he is because of the society that perpetuates some expectation of everybody having a nominally identical level of theory of mind functioning, which is just not true. When individuals lack social understanding, they need to be properly educated; not shunned, eradicated, forgotten, institutionalized, or otherwise ridiculed and left behind. After all, even with all of his failings and shortcomings, David Brent does nonetheless manage the office satisfactorily, which goes to show -- I think -- the extent to which he has incredible mental faculties which are just being wasted on constantly, intentionally mantaining his dysfunctional personality suit. If he was properly educated, encouraged, supported, and understood by society throughout his life in a way that wasn't pathological, he wouldn't have developed a dysfunctional personality as a coping mechanism, basically.

  • @OSCrazy07
    @OSCrazy07 8 років тому +664

    Is that why comment sections are so cringeworthy? Everyone's trying to perform/put on a show?

    • @nigelgriffen4418
      @nigelgriffen4418 8 років тому +35

      Oh yes, including myself

    • @PowerUpPlease
      @PowerUpPlease 8 років тому +3

      !!!!

    • @satoshinakamoto5710
      @satoshinakamoto5710 8 років тому +55

      I say there are two kinds of people: those that can't help but perform, and those that can't help but just be themselves.

    • @KàirosStygian
      @KàirosStygian 8 років тому +4

      +Satoshi Nakamoto
      You really hit the spot with that comment.

    • @MynamesRAnonymous
      @MynamesRAnonymous 8 років тому +3

      Shurup noob, I was merely compensating for my small virtual ding-dong and my own online social-narcissism which you would now nothing about even if I projected it advertently. :D

  • @tashakappler
    @tashakappler 8 років тому +5

    So stunned and impressed that you chose to talk about the original series. This show is massively underrated outside the UK.

  • @jackofallspades98
    @jackofallspades98 8 років тому +225

    What was that you were saying right at the end?
    Great video, by the way. I really love the way you are able to deeply analyze anything from pop music to old films to sitcoms. Well done, keep up the great work!

    • @atrijitdas1704
      @atrijitdas1704 8 років тому +1

      "hit me up on Facebook" i think. youtubers try to avoid plugs.

    • @gefelice
      @gefelice 8 років тому +39

      I think he said "or maybe at VidCon"

    • @dgg4lyfe212
      @dgg4lyfe212 8 років тому +29

      and maybe at vidcon

    • @EllisThings
      @EllisThings 8 років тому

      "and maybe in video"?
      Because he recorded audio only for out to?

    • @Noone-rc9wf
      @Noone-rc9wf 7 років тому

      jackofallspades98 I think he said "Hit me in my face" sounds like a weird request but oh well....

  • @AmazingJoe96
    @AmazingJoe96 8 років тому +189

    the uk office is 2 seasons and 2 christmas specials of utter tv perfection

    • @corduroykumquat
      @corduroykumquat 8 років тому +8

      AmazingJoe96 you just convinced me to watch it thank you buddi

  • @jaredkunish
    @jaredkunish 8 років тому +925

    the british version of the office is so amazing and hilarious. super excited for life on the road

    • @b1tchlizard
      @b1tchlizard 8 років тому +12

      same just disappointed that Tim and Gareth wont be in it :/

    • @ImperiaGin
      @ImperiaGin 8 років тому +1

      +b1tchlizard gotta do Sherlock

    • @DerringerHK
      @DerringerHK 8 років тому +22

      :( Unfortunately no Stephen Merchant

    • @idiot030
      @idiot030 8 років тому +1

      +b1tchlizard omg if there is a cameo of some sort it would be hilarious

    • @dalebrush5366
      @dalebrush5366 8 років тому +4

      +DerringerHK Yeah, this is what worries me. Admittedly I haven't seen Derek, but I mean come on. How could a continuation possibly be the same without Merchant?

  • @eightypuff01
    @eightypuff01 8 років тому +19

    I think you made a job well done here, spot on. Ricky Gervais have said himself that his favorite moment of the series is when David Brent says: "why don't you fuck off". The moment acts as a marker for his change in personality during the last episode of the series. A kind of happy ending, you don't need to see a full blown change, you only need to see that marker that he is starting to think differently about his own image. At least for the more observant viewers.

  • @bordem4090
    @bordem4090 8 років тому +1055

    the BBC Office is one of the best shows of all time.

    • @Nyxeme
      @Nyxeme 8 років тому +6

      +Sudev Sen Hello, black and white version of me!

    • @devote
      @devote 8 років тому +18

      I think Peep Show beats it. But it's in the top 25 tv comedies forsure

    • @tornados2111
      @tornados2111 8 років тому +1

      +MNDFND what's peep show? same type of comedy?

    • @tornados2111
      @tornados2111 8 років тому +3

      any ideas if the American one is as good?

    • @devote
      @devote 8 років тому

      tornados2111
      Very cringy so yes! takes a bit to get use to the camera work and comedy.. but it is seriously every episode lol funny

  • @tedmills
    @tedmills 8 років тому +4

    Great point at the end about the documentary style. A lot of Americans don't know that The Office came at the tail end of many BBC documentaries that offered "a week in the life of a business/school" and essentially is a parody of this form with a very mundane subject (a paper supply firm) and a boss who suddenly realizes that he will be on TV and therefore famous. And hence David Brent turns into an insufferable guy. It's genius. The U.S. version of The Office dropped that, and though Parks and Rec holds on to a lot of that style, it's really just become a style of shooting.

  • @StrangerToEarth
    @StrangerToEarth 8 років тому +3

    God, you're getting good. No one is doing what you're doing, with so much depth and a deft handling of emotion and poignancy that never becomes manipulatively sentimental. Perfect tone, rich insight, and a wry appreciation of complexity. This is the sort of material that lends beauty to the new web media. Don't stop.

  • @jfitzner1
    @jfitzner1 8 років тому +7

    I think this video is actually going to help me with my anxiety when I watch shows like this. I love The Office, but would get too embarrassed for the characters in the show and it would put a slight damper on it (I'm way too sensitive). Definitely going to watch those shows that cause me to cringe with this new empathetic point of view. You cured me!

    • @pezushka
      @pezushka 7 років тому

      Jenny F how did it go?

  • @sephapplewhite8477
    @sephapplewhite8477 8 років тому +23

    So nice that someone's giving more attention to The UK office. It's so well done. One of the best TV shows I think.

  • @TheRonster9319
    @TheRonster9319 8 років тому +392

    If you don't watch Louie I highly recommend you do and if you do please make a video about it because that show can be brutally honest, real and heartbreaking sometimes and then hilarious next. Fantastic show.

    • @FrenchToast663
      @FrenchToast663 8 років тому +8

      He has a video on Louis C.K. tho.

    • @TheRonster9319
      @TheRonster9319 8 років тому +7

      +Hector Berlioz about him but not his show specifically

    • @FrenchToast663
      @FrenchToast663 8 років тому

      TheRonster9319 whatever floats your boat

    • @Jooonathan
      @Jooonathan 8 років тому +2

      I believe Louie is relatable to American audiences only, it centers around your culture a lot.

    • @Jooonathan
      @Jooonathan 8 років тому +1

      I would've agreed with you if you meant the old Life With Louie cartoon, though! Thanks for reminding me, something nostalgic to bingewatch, hahaha!

  • @Stellaacee
    @Stellaacee 8 років тому +2

    I'm so glad you chose to discuss the original The Office. I wish more people have seen it because it's one of the best comedy shows out there.

  • @VeeDCreate
    @VeeDCreate 8 років тому +3

    I loved this "It takes at least two to build an identity." Without perception, an identity isn't identified or perceived. And so, this is why we cannot trust everyone to behave with us the same all throughout, every time.

  • @marcgallagher7454
    @marcgallagher7454 8 років тому +1

    Just stumbled onto your video essays. They are really insightful and well put together. Thanks for all the hard work!

  • @Deguiko
    @Deguiko 8 років тому +28

    I remember watching The Office and it making me too worried I was too transparent to others, too readable. It would sometimes make me almost believe I was kind of retarded and just too little self aware to notice. These would be a kind of "bad trip" I would get from staying up late watching the office for too long and then I guess it's expected you start to forget how reality really is and distort your ideas. It always got better as soon as I got out of my house and talked with other people, then I could quickly realize how stupid and meaningless those worries really were. But even knowing and understanding those "bad trips" it is nearly impossible not to go back to one once in a while, and when you're in it the most absurd of ideas can seem really convincing(just till you go see the world for yourself once more...).

  • @lordrandal90
    @lordrandal90 8 років тому +1

    I really enjoyed the Office. I feel the same mockumentary style wasn't as effective in Parks and Rec: it started as interviews to the characters but then the cameras filmes places that were supposed to be private or didn't make much sense, in the end the whole interview style wasn't even acknowledged, the omniscient observer came in.

    • @thankyoujodi
      @thankyoujodi 3 роки тому

      It's weird cause I feel like PR is a watered down US office, which in itself is watered down from UK

  • @JD-ow5zm
    @JD-ow5zm 8 років тому +85

    My favourite comedy ever.

    • @user-td4do3op2d
      @user-td4do3op2d 8 років тому +1

      Frasier is the best comedy ever

    • @dalebrush5366
      @dalebrush5366 8 років тому +4

      +123456789 987654321 It's not objective.

    • @MakeMeThinkAgain
      @MakeMeThinkAgain 8 років тому +15

      Gareth riding off in the side-car is the funniest silent (no lines) scene I can think of.

  • @TylerMowery
    @TylerMowery 8 років тому

    I love the clean animation on your videos. Trying to learn after effects more so I can add that kind of stuff to my videos as well.

  • @lykmejoe
    @lykmejoe 5 років тому +5

    The original Office is a masterpiece. One of the greatest shows I've ever seen.

  • @parkt47
    @parkt47 8 років тому

    This video earned my sub.
    Tbh The Office is an fading and old show. But I watched it more than any person should have.
    I'm glad you posted this cuz not only did it make me want to watch the series again (damn you for "wasting" my time again) but gives me a different perspective on the show and life in general.
    Keep up with the videos!

  • @jamieriley5908
    @jamieriley5908 6 років тому +11

    "In David Brent we have a character so invested in the performance of himself that he's blocked his own access to other's feelings."
    I think we're all guilty of this sometimes. We pander to other people's perceptions of our character and as a result we're less authentic.
    I suppose Brent consciously performs as a disingenuous caricature of himself because he's ashamed of who he thinks he really is. That tragedy makes him fucking funny. And in turn he treats others one dimensionally as caricatures, kind of like bigots do, but that's only because that's how he's learnt to confront his own suffering.

  • @Buster-Bluth
    @Buster-Bluth 7 років тому

    This is the content I dream of coming across on youtube, because these are the things I think about as I fall asleep at night. Subscribed.

  • @alltime10s
    @alltime10s 8 років тому +52

    Just found this channel - LOVE it!!

  • @satoshinakamoto5710
    @satoshinakamoto5710 8 років тому

    This is beautiful, just beautiful. Thank you. I really get on the program and study this concept of theory of mind. I've always been curious about the nature of "cringe" and the meaning of body language, and why people experience cringe in relation to their social values etc. Sometimes that detachment makes you feel more enlightened but somehow less 'human' as if being driven by impulse is what being human is about.

  • @NoTodoEsArte1
    @NoTodoEsArte1 8 років тому +17

    Had to repet it like 5 times because of how hard I was laughing while watching the clips

  • @TooManySams
    @TooManySams 8 років тому

    My regards to you, Mr. Writer. I've always tried to describe and name the act of adjusting to the characters around you, but I could never think of such a description you presented in this video.
    Always a pleasure to watch

  • @pilotactor777
    @pilotactor777 3 роки тому +3

    The original " office'was groundbreaking on every level. Pure genius.

  • @wcbuerste7
    @wcbuerste7 8 років тому

    This nice analysis just made me binge watch 'The Office'. What a great show! Thank you for introducting it to us.

  • @caioqueiroga2011
    @caioqueiroga2011 8 років тому +252

    I really like your channel, but i'm learning english. I would like to know if you could put substitles in english for help me and other people who are learning

    • @alicekliewer
      @alicekliewer 8 років тому +6

      You can put it on in UA-cam settings. Google it

    • @elevendyseven4227
      @elevendyseven4227 8 років тому +44

      +sauron saruman closed captions are not helpful

    • @Asterluna
      @Asterluna 8 років тому +11

      +Elevendy Seven Auto-generated ones, that is

    • @Jarzyniak
      @Jarzyniak 8 років тому +9

      They actually improved auto-generated captions quite a bit, see for yourself. I would say they're about 90% accurate right now, so they're no longer the completely useless gibberish they used to be.

    • @samuellabun392
      @samuellabun392 8 років тому

      The best way to learn a language is the speech first. Google the pimsleur method.

  • @UkisoulE
    @UkisoulE 7 років тому

    Really, really thank you for doing those videos, they are so dense about every theme the you discuss

  • @neilbrooks6537
    @neilbrooks6537 8 років тому +202

    I loved the US Office so now I wanna see the UK version.

    • @TaraAby
      @TaraAby 8 років тому +23

      You should! It’s great as both versions are but if you can appreciate and prefer British humour then you would love the UK version even more :)

    • @Sickofdrawingcowboys717
      @Sickofdrawingcowboys717 8 років тому +46

      You might be in for a surprise.

    • @TheGroucho66
      @TheGroucho66 8 років тому +130

      Whilst the US Office is enjoyable, the UK Office is a different animal. It's more subtle, dark and realistic.

    • @HiThereLindsey
      @HiThereLindsey 8 років тому +20

      UK version is the original and it is also brilliant :)

    • @GhostShakz
      @GhostShakz 8 років тому

      if you're British you'll enjoy it

  • @tasnimnaz7109
    @tasnimnaz7109 7 років тому +2

    Guys, how good is this channel? I mean, seriously. It's remarkable.

  • @sjwimmel
    @sjwimmel 8 років тому +10

    I've always heard the UK version of The Office was better. I might have to go watch it now..

    • @thankyoujodi
      @thankyoujodi 3 роки тому

      It absolutely is, hope you got to watch

  • @JakanoryJones
    @JakanoryJones 8 років тому +1

    one of the best channels on this whole site. Maybe the best. I look forward to every video you put up man!

  • @BoxingLegendsTV
    @BoxingLegendsTV 8 років тому +7

    Great video

  • @lorenzoblanco9069
    @lorenzoblanco9069 8 років тому

    Without having watched the show, I really appreciated this essay. Thanks and keep up the good work.

  • @wolfieBark
    @wolfieBark 8 років тому +23

    Id love to know what are your ideas about "Community" by Dan Harmon

  • @TheBluMeeny
    @TheBluMeeny 8 років тому

    I love the office! I also love Derek as you quickly mentioned, both shows are wonderfully done, maybe an essay about that in the future?

  • @mayatrash
    @mayatrash 5 років тому +5

    "It's like the British version of the office: funny, awkward and sad at the same time"

  • @tggt00
    @tggt00 8 років тому

    Holy fucking shit just yesterday I was thinking about cringe and second hand embarrassment and read some articles about it, and even thought to myself, "that would be a great topic for a nerdwriter video" I swear to god I love you.

  • @ropro9817
    @ropro9817 8 років тому +3

    I've seen the US version of The Office, but now I want to binge watch the original! Great video, +Nerdwriter1!

    • @hmm2928
      @hmm2928 7 років тому +1

      ro pro the us version is nowhere near to UK version

  • @Leon-pn6rb
    @Leon-pn6rb 8 років тому

    wow, that was so deep
    I loved office UK and cried when office USA ended , but never thought on how many levels it was working on my psyche.
    great work, nerdwriter 👍👍

  • @gregstark6842
    @gregstark6842 8 років тому +30

    Something on anime would be really interesting; Perhaps something by Hayao Miyazaki or Satoshi Kon . I feel there is a great deal of depth and beauty as well as an underlying philosophy perhaps worth exploring ;) Love your vids as always!

    • @sloanelliott8929
      @sloanelliott8929 8 років тому +9

      Every frame a painting, if you like Nerdwriter you'll love EFP, did a fantastic video on Satoshi Kon. I highly suggest you check out his content

    • @clairexiaoke
      @clairexiaoke 8 років тому

      +Luke Elliott was just about to say that

    • @nintendude794
      @nintendude794 8 років тому

      Checked out Every Frame A Painting yet? :D

  • @EdKonyha
    @EdKonyha 4 роки тому

    These videos are so good. Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to make them, I've learned a lot.

  • @SemiIocon
    @SemiIocon 8 років тому +6

    I'm autistic and I can't map other people's mental state. But I am able to empathize with what happens to other people. I don't understand why people try to perform themselves and aren't just their true selves. I perceive those people as liars and untrustworthy, because I don't do that naturally.

  • @user-lz7hg1rq1p
    @user-lz7hg1rq1p 8 років тому +1

    Your channel is absolutely amazing! I love this show and how you've broken it down!

  • @TommyLikeTom
    @TommyLikeTom 8 років тому +9

    This could not have come at a better time. I've just been on a Ricky Gervais binge

    • @lewiscranston881
      @lewiscranston881 8 років тому +2

      Listening to old XFM shows or the podcasts? Pure banter.

    • @TommyLikeTom
      @TommyLikeTom 8 років тому

      Watched Dereck, Extras and the Office. It's not a lot as each show only has two seasons

    • @dalebrush5366
      @dalebrush5366 8 років тому

      +TommyLikeTom Is Derek any good? I'm a little scared because Merchant wasn't involved.

    • @TommyLikeTom
      @TommyLikeTom 8 років тому +1

      Walter Kovacs
      It's heartwarming and makes me want to go do something meaningful with my life. It's a bit like Horace and Pete in that it's not 100% comedy but it's is more of a comedy than that show. Laughed out loud and cried in every episode

    • @smeedleweedle887
      @smeedleweedle887 8 років тому

      Dude, listen to the podcasts and xfm shows with Karl Pilkington.

  • @Krustenkaese92
    @Krustenkaese92 8 років тому

    what Gervais started with The Office, Louis CK truly perfected with his FX show 'Louie'. I have to admit that I have only seen one season of The Office, but 'Louie' might be my favorite TV show of all time, even though I'm invested in Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad and any other character-driven TV drama, people usually mention when they talk about their favorite shows.
    For me, it's 'Louie', because I have never seen a show that has better conveyed the meaningless of life with a truly depressing undertone of existential ennui and loneliness; cringe humor being at the forefront of that show. Like Louis CK himself once said
    'No matter how bad life gets, it's still fucking funny.' Life is empty the majority of the time you spend on this earth and no matter how close you get to someone, no one can ever really get inside your head, 'true' connection and understanding is sadly impossible; a certain degree of understanding is the best one can hope for. But 'Louie' doesn't want us to fall into despair because of this, as easy as it would be to do. The show wants us to laugh at it. That's why we laugh at the stupidest things like farts and 'babies with big dicks' ... seize every opportunity to be happy, even if it's only for two seconds because you farted and it smelled funny. Whenever life gives you something, take it. Be happy whenever you can; or at least try to suck that tiny bit of joy out of whatever shitty joke you just heard.
    I love 'Louie' and it has such a similar vibe to The Office. I watched it years ago and put it down because of school ... Immana get back into The Office sometime

  • @mikegrah2497
    @mikegrah2497 4 роки тому +7

    American Office: Man make funny face and loud sound = funny.

  • @AncientDirtbag
    @AncientDirtbag 8 років тому

    You hit the nail on the head on all these points. Great analysis of a great series.

  • @themetapod
    @themetapod 8 років тому +7

    Never thought I'd see John Krasinski perform a breakdown of the British Office!

  • @perpetualjon
    @perpetualjon 8 років тому

    Fantastic analysis of The Office. It definitely felt different to watch but until you pointed it out I never quite realized how different it was and what was happening to me internally. Brilliant!!

  • @royfr8136
    @royfr8136 4 роки тому +3

    The difference between the U.K The Office and the American version is, the U.K version is amazing and the U.S version is complete garbage.

  • @beeman9987
    @beeman9987 8 років тому

    This one was awesome! I love The Office both the U.K and U.S version. Applying the theory of mind to these characters gives the shows a different lens to view them through. We really see in the hiccups or the cringe moments that these characters and even us how ego-centric we still are even as adults.

  • @devote
    @devote 8 років тому +21

    Peep Show is king of cringe! haha.
    Probably my favorite comedy tv show

    • @samuelraji8343
      @samuelraji8343 5 років тому +5

      That show is 9 seasons of pure cringe. I could not watch some of those scenes especially the wedding one. It had me more tense that some thriller movies.

    • @mikegrah2497
      @mikegrah2497 4 роки тому +3

      yeah peep show is great

  • @Rorschach924
    @Rorschach924 8 років тому

    This is so weird... I watched this show for the first time over the course of the past two days(after wanting to but putting it off for so long). I finished it late last night. The day right after, Nerdwriter uploads this video! This just strengthens the already strong emotional connection I had with this show.

  • @Buster-Bluth
    @Buster-Bluth 7 років тому

    You've edited this video in the spirit of the show. Beautiful

  • @canteatpi
    @canteatpi 8 років тому +155

    The UK version is way better.
    the show "Peep show" from the UK is even more cringy

    • @MrSegrist
      @MrSegrist 8 років тому +62

      Peep Show is a great example of cringe-comedy because their implementation of the cringe has the brilliant duality of the audience having far too much access to the inner thoughts of both protagonists. The veil on both Mark and Jeremy's performative thoughts is lifted again and again, revealing two increasingly naked souls. It's great fun! :D

    • @WckedAwsomeSuperDude
      @WckedAwsomeSuperDude 8 років тому +1

      but even the uk version has got nothing on the german adaptation :P

    • @kathrynmiller4240
      @kathrynmiller4240 8 років тому +8

      Alain Hoffmann interesting you call it more cringey. I love PS but can't bear watching the office, curb etc because I get overwhelmed by vicarious embarrassment. I think the gag of hearing the characters thoughts in PS means it's less about laughing at the hilariously awful antics and more about empathising with how we are all motivated by some really weird ideas.
      When I had a bad break up last year, I binge-watched PS because it was enormously comforting to watch something where everyone was as miserable as I was 😬

    • @onealdom
      @onealdom 7 років тому +2

      is not a version...the UK was the original the version was the US...

    • @albiehay5567
      @albiehay5567 7 років тому

      Alain Hoffmann I'm British but hardly cringed at 'Peep Show' at all.

  • @plica06
    @plica06 8 років тому

    Thank you soo much for making this video essay! The Office (original UK version) is genius comedy. I hope your essay inspires people to watch a few episodes of this series.. you could watch the whole thing in one night... only two, six-episode seasons were made after all !

  • @TheAlmightyPlonker
    @TheAlmightyPlonker 8 років тому +29

    WHAT WERE YOU GOING TO SAY AT THE END I MuST KNOW!

    • @Gregoryzaniz
      @Gregoryzaniz 8 років тому +8

      and maybe at vidcon? i feel like it was purposefully cut off and i may be spoiling a joke but

    • @rachit
      @rachit 8 років тому +1

      yeah, that was the joke.

  • @AliceMadnessLiddell
    @AliceMadnessLiddell 7 років тому

    I'm so glad I stumbled upon your channel, this was beautifully mind blowing

  • @jmckey
    @jmckey 8 років тому +25

    I've only watched bits and pieces of the US version and I've felt like it's more an exercise of people seeing the 'weak' characters fail while being arrogant and then reveling in feeling superior on some level. I've not been able to get into the show b/c I empathize too much with the 'weak' characters and don't enjoy seeing them dangle in unknown (or known) embarrassment. I get now what you are saying about using that awkwardness to connect to their humanity and common vulnerability we all have and should perhaps embrace more. And maybe the UK version is more clear on this point.
    Either way, I'll definitely be checking out Ricky's UK version now while keeping your analysis in mind. As usual, thanks for helping to elevate our insight into the human side of under-appreciated (or minunderstood) art.

    • @nomorepartiezz
      @nomorepartiezz 8 років тому +3

      james mckey the u.s version is completely different. it tried to emulate the dry cringe humor of the British version during its first season and no one liked it so they turned it around for the rest of the show. don't get me wrong it's still funny but I can't watch too much cringe without getting uncomfortable and turning the show off

    • @rhysssemmott
      @rhysssemmott 7 років тому +2

      The original version*

    • @geneparmesan8748
      @geneparmesan8748 7 років тому +2

      The biggest weakness of the American version, IMO, is that it clearly has "good guys" and "bad guys". Jim's decisions, no matter how rational (or how cruel) are almost always cast as the "right" decisions (unless the explicit point of the episode is Jim being wrong, which is rare). Whether he's trying to help out a friend, playing a cruel prank on Dwight, or stealing Michael's screenplay and making copies for the whole office to mock, he's "good guy Jim with his good guy pranks".
      This is one of those rare shows that actually improves in later seasons: I noticed that as soon as Jim and Pam actually got married, the show became more comfortable showing their bad or selfish sides, while punching-bags Michael, Andy and Dwight began to be cast more sympathetically.

  • @gazelle1467
    @gazelle1467 6 років тому

    I have probably never been as emotionally invested in any character more than David Brent, his moments of true sincerity made him such a real and relatable person.

  • @SandyCheeks1896
    @SandyCheeks1896 8 років тому +26

    So Jim is the American version of Martin Sheem

    • @dalebrush5366
      @dalebrush5366 8 років тому +30

      Yeah, Martin Freeman plays "Tim Canterbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Muzorewa."

    • @SandyCheeks1896
      @SandyCheeks1896 8 років тому +7

      Shit I forgot his last name, and I typo'd sheen to sheem. Freeman.

  • @multuminparvo5
    @multuminparvo5 8 років тому +1

    This is really cool because it helps reveal why church leaders (and mental health leaders, who somehow seem to always escape media's spotlight) have such a tough time learning how to deal with the confrontation of domestic violence and it's effects, of course experienced most heavily in the form of child abuse. Such confrontation is indeed very cringe inducing, but there is no more appropriate place to bring the cringe in order for truth to be empowered to make meaningful connections where so many of us have preferred to remain blind, deaf, and dumb. I really like this video. Thanks, Nerdwriter1. :)
    (And since I've seen how inflammatory comments about church or religion can be, I want to add that I'm in no way inviting that sort of tit-for-tat dialogue. I mean, Atheists have done nothing to counter child endangerment as a collective group from what I've heard so far. What I'm trying to stress here that I recognize and am grateful for is to the individual, not a collective or necessarily a member of any collective, to better understand the cringe in however it affects their own lives or the lives of those they love when dealing with modern church cringe as it tries to acknowledge and rectify it's previous misbehavior. 'Hope that cleared up any potential confusion.)

  • @SLAMMINnJAMMIN247
    @SLAMMINnJAMMIN247 8 років тому +4

    Please do one on Peep Show!

  • @Truthshallsety0ufree
    @Truthshallsety0ufree 7 років тому

    The best comedy series of all time. very nice work here, Nerdwriter!

  • @tomnow92
    @tomnow92 8 років тому +12

    Mockumentary? new word for me, thanks

  • @ericosg
    @ericosg 8 років тому +1

    Brilliant show, very clever play on the audience. I felt I was laughing with them, as if there were friends I could speak to tomorrow. Thank you nerdwriter1

  • @njc1647
    @njc1647 8 років тому +9

    The Eric Andre show is the absolute cringe. I'd love to see what you think of his destructive talk show.

    • @devote
      @devote 8 років тому +2

      Might have watch more. But I feel the cringe is too forced in shows like that

    • @njc1647
      @njc1647 8 років тому

      The cringe is defiantly unnatural on The Eric Andre Show. That type of cringe is completely different from The Office, but I find it hilarious in its own way.

    • @nigelgriffen4418
      @nigelgriffen4418 8 років тому

      +Noah Callahan I agree

    • @TorquemadaTwist
      @TorquemadaTwist 8 років тому

      That show is where cringe meets the ghost of Andy Kaufman.

    • @tggt00
      @tggt00 8 років тому +1

      It's not cringe, it's more like extreme cringe it's not intimate like the office, it's basically nonsense.

  • @coganada2468
    @coganada2468 8 років тому

    This adds a completely new look on the series. Sensational work! :)

  • @localtrashpatrick.8066
    @localtrashpatrick.8066 8 років тому +6

    Martin freeman tho lmaoo

  • @RolfHartmann
    @RolfHartmann 8 років тому

    I think part of the appeal of mockumentaries is that in real life we're never truly the fly on the wall so in one way or another our expectations always do get played to. Somewhat ironic that a style which calls attention to itself would actually help with immersion (at least when done right).

  • @GoodBloodGames
    @GoodBloodGames 8 років тому +7

    goddamnit, dude. beautiful work.

  • @analiabarreno6054
    @analiabarreno6054 7 років тому

    i thank you nerd writer for your original, interpretavive and i may say inspiring content. keep it up

  • @atrijitdas1704
    @atrijitdas1704 8 років тому +10

    have you seen Community? maybe do a video on it?

  • @shaunm6383
    @shaunm6383 8 років тому +1

    By the way, you did a fantastic job on this video, and I love it... but I think you should do one on "Parks and Rec." Watch the show as much as you want, and find something interesting you'd like to talk, about it. I think many people would be happy for this video to come into existence. I would probably be the one who would be the most excited. So with this, I only have one thing left to say, I hope you do a fantastic job on it, thank you.

  • @isabelleham6541
    @isabelleham6541 7 років тому +5

    I didn't know Ed Sheehan was an actor! I have to start watching the office now!

  • @lawrencecalablaster568
    @lawrencecalablaster568 8 років тому

    This was awesome :) I've never watched the UK Office, but I can see the parallels of "weak theory of mind" between David & Michael Scott.

  • @alexsdemkin
    @alexsdemkin 8 років тому +6

    Can you take a deep look in to Yugioh card artwork?

    • @jordran
      @jordran 8 років тому +3

      Budget cuts.

  • @groovydoo
    @groovydoo 8 років тому

    Woooosh! over my head. will watch again. Had trouble with the "Theory of mind" definition. But thank you for the video essay and all the work you put into it. Wikipedia sorted it out for me:
    Theory of mind (often abbreviated ToM) is the ability to attribute mental states-beliefs, intents, desires, pretending, knowledge, etc.-to oneself and others and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, intentions, and perspectives that are different from one's own.

  • @augusthasani7430
    @augusthasani7430 8 років тому +3

    Would you say that all of your videos are theory of mind?

  • @DrZachMan
    @DrZachMan 8 років тому

    Your writing is so good. Honestly, man.

  • @noahgilbertson7530
    @noahgilbertson7530 8 років тому +6

    the American office and the UK one are totally different and have their own positives. that said, the English one is more original whereas the American is just another soap

    • @SaberRexZealot
      @SaberRexZealot 6 років тому +2

      Noah Gilbertson sitcom and soap are not the same thing

  • @angrfn
    @angrfn 7 років тому

    Thanks for noticing human qualities like these in your videos. It's lovely to see that someone else is aware of these and also appreciates them.

  • @sean3533
    @sean3533 8 років тому +5

    I dont get it. every video is about things that I get. like I get you, but you write it and put it in words which I can't.

    • @dianakim2760
      @dianakim2760 8 років тому

      Sean Haggard YES SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THIS FEELING!!!

    • @spikespace
      @spikespace 7 років тому +1

      By questioning exactly what he's saying, listening carefully and perhaps even looking up what words mean, you gain a stronger understanding for his ultimate meaning than if he were to put it plainly and in layman terms.

  • @emptycore896
    @emptycore896 7 років тому +2

    "Mind reading" - for when you forget the word "empathy" haha
    Really love these videos. I've been binging on them all! Thanks for making such great content :)

    • @captchatilism5444
      @captchatilism5444 3 роки тому

      I think he chose “mind reading” Instead because it has more to do with social cues
      Many people are terrible at social cues and grasping emotional situations in the moment but have a lot of empathy, it’s just the empathy becomes a bit less useful when it feels like everyone can read minds but you, and get mad sad or hurt that you can’t too or because of you not being able to. Since most people use this mind reading as a tool to use their empathy, some don’t have that tool.
      It can also cause a lot of guilt because social intelligence is often linked to empathy and if you’re lacki then you are a sociopath in people’s eyes which makes them uncomfortable and scared no matter how untrue it may be.
      But that might just be my bias talking =}

  • @Fluxquark
    @Fluxquark 8 років тому +21

    If I write my comment........ like this,....... do you read it........ in the voice........ of........ Nerdwriter1?

    • @DJ-Sellout
      @DJ-Sellout 8 років тому +3

      No I read it on the voice of Doby the house elf idk why.

    • @GuruRaga
      @GuruRaga 8 років тому +3

      I read...it, like....Christopher Walken

    • @isaacs8783
      @isaacs8783 7 років тому

      Fluxquark I read it in the voice of a person who is both on the autism spectrum and stutters

  • @unclebensrice4702
    @unclebensrice4702 8 років тому

    your videos are so interesting never thought I'd be so interested in a video analysing the office

  • @creeperbom
    @creeperbom 8 років тому +76

    So early. How about a joke?
    Keemstar's career

    • @thibhan98
      @thibhan98 8 років тому

      Nice

    • @scarab3707
      @scarab3707 8 років тому

      Hisssssss

    • @TipsyRiver
      @TipsyRiver 8 років тому +28

      This is such a nice channel with intelligent and productive comments that further discussion. Why bring the cancer of youtube over here by copy pasting a meme for a few likes?

    • @Ambir91
      @Ambir91 8 років тому +1

      +Tasos Kozi just ignore it, bringing attention is what he wants

    • @creeperbom
      @creeperbom 8 років тому

      It was ironic...

  • @danosheamusic
    @danosheamusic 5 років тому

    Beautiful work. So articulate, so well analysed. Really good stuff. 👍

  • @redroom9490
    @redroom9490 8 років тому +8

    Its strange how intensely you dodge the US show. Like there isnt even a soft allusion to it.

    • @somerandomguy2073
      @somerandomguy2073 8 років тому +12

      Why should there be?

    • @redroom9490
      @redroom9490 8 років тому +1

      There doesn't need to be what so ever. But the strangeness came from my personal expectation, entirely my fault. It was just interesting because it would be interesting to hear if the U.S show did this poorly and just as well. It could have acted as a commentary on American Comedy vs British Comedy in terms of reverence to cringe and overall outlook on people. The American show is a bit more sentimental in terms of how it deals with its characters and treats them sympathetically where as the British show is more like reality, dark, bizarre and a bit cynical. Not saying that Evan had any obligation to me but just the aversion, almost as if the U.S show, the more commercially successful of the two, didn't exist. Just thought it was an odd choice. I'm not criticizing Evan or the video but even a soft, subtle take on the U.S versions ability to display cringe would have been welcomed. Just one line, "Something the American counterpart, doesn't seem to do as well..." I understand the video is more about the psychology of the office and the UK version is a bit more of a vehicle for that because it is grounded in reality. Still gave the video a thumbs up and learned a lot.