"You can't put a price on comedy," The Office's hapless boor David Brent (played by Ricky Gervais) cracks in the acclaimed series' first episode. Perhaps not, but Adult Swim probably paid something to import the U.K. sensation to the United States, although how much it did not say in its Wednesday announcement of the acquisition from BBC America.
Whatever it was, it's money well spent.
Adult Swim plans to air both seasons of the sublime, destabilizing original series — created, written and directed by Gervais and his smart-ass sidekick, Stephen Merchant — starting this summer. The late-night channel also plans to air The Office's Christmas special, which closed the bipolar series on a rare high note.
The acquisition is the latest in Adult Swim's panty raid of BBC America. Last month, it premiered unhinged U.K. laugher The Mighty Boosh, a mash of rock, surrealism and jokes that should catch steam once America watches it long enough.
There will be no such lag time with Gervais and Merchant's Office, which is one of the funniest television shows of the 21st century. It's only grown in stature since the much-less-funny U.S. version premiered in 2005.
Are we wrong? Is the U.S. version of The Office worth watching? Is Gervais and Merchant's original overrated? Should Adult Swim bring back Harvey Birdman and stay away from live-action comedy? Let us know in the comments below.
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