flooozi I think they've gone passed that stage now where they could legitimetly bring in the 'z-list celebrity' storyline that Gervais and Merchant did so well. I think the US version abandoned the documentary thing pretty fast actually. Characters imply or tell too much to the cameras for us to believe that it would ever actually air. They've also dropped the idea of the office being a dull, monotonus place (hence no printer/photocopier/paper shots). Yeah the camera shots are still voyeristic through blinds/windows etc but beyond that the show never committed to the idea that this was a normal office that a camera crew had invaded to make a documentary about.

mrmuddle To see Michael Scott in that situation would make a great show.

katiemariie I always got the impression that we are watching the documentary. The sitcom is the documentary, hence DM's pages on NBC's website and Toby's hosting of the HR Nightmare marathon.