The Office is the title of multiple television situation comedy shows.

The first and original was the UK version, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, starring Gervais as the main character. Initially broadcast on BBC Two on 9 July 2001, it ran for two series plus a two-part Christmas special.

International versions

A French adaptation of the series, titled Le Bureau, began in May 2004 on Canal+.

Germany followed with their own version in October 2004. The German series Stromberg used The Office as a basis, but did not secure official rights. The German creators listed Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant in the credits as having "inspired" the series. (Ricky Gervais additionally said that he "can't go into details but, yes, there was an agreement reached and we are very happy with it".).

In November 2004 a Brazilian show on the Globo channel, Os Aspones, was also heavily modelled on the series' format.

In the US, NBC created a US version, which premiered on 24 March 2005. Other than the Pilot episode, the scripts for the US version are original, and not adaptations from the UK, although some scenes, general story ideas, and characters are based on the original.

The fifth adaptation, the French-Canadian/Quebec's La Job, had its TV debut on January 11 2007. The lead character in this version is called David Gervais, a cross of Ricky Gervais, and his character, David Brent. It is produced by Anne-Marie Losique.

In July 2006, it was reported in the Hollywood Reporter that BBC Films was considering a feature-length version of The Office for cinematic release .

In 2007, the office format was licenced to MumboJumbo 1a computer game company. In October 2007, they released a game based on the characters from the US version of the TV series.

In January 2008, Variety reported that the BBC had licensed a remake of The Office for Chilean television with a premiere in May.

In July 2008, ABC News reported a version of the British television show will be created in Russia.

Key awards won

Selected major awards won only

• UK version: 2004 Golden Globes for Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy and Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy (Ricky Gervais); 2001, 2002 and 2003 British Academy Television Awards for Situation Comedy and Best Comedy Performance (Ricky Gervais)
• US version: 2006 Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy (Steve Carell); 2006 Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series; 2007 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series; 2007 Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Greg Daniels)
• German version: 2006 Grimme Award for Fiction/Entertainment - Series/Miniseries
• US version: 2007 Best Edited Half-Hour Series for Television (for episode "Casino Night")
• GMAT Awards: 2008 for favorite basement television