In 2005 Saturday Night Live writer Greg Daniels was tasked with adapting a low budget comedy about life in a typical English office for a US audience. Wernham Hogg became Dunder Mifflin and Slough was swapped for Scranton but for season one cosmetic changes weren't enough as North American goggleboxers struggled to connect with series one. Not only was the humour "too British" but Steve Carell took a while to own the main character, office manager Michael Scott. Who knew working in David Brent's shadow would be so hard? Producers cut the apron strings of the original scripts for the Emmy award-winning season two, giving characters their own personalities while maintaining the warmth, desperation and camaraderie that made it such a hit in the UK. Michael became a more absurd version of Ricky Gervais' character and a deluded Dwight (Gareth) had his dark side dialled up while being brilliantly underplayed by Rainn Wilson. Romance fans also got to see the on-screen romance between Jim and Pam which played out longer than original characters Tim and Dawn, although they did eventually do it. A lot. With a newfound sense of freedom the cast the US Office would propel the show for nine seasons and last for an impressive run of 201 episodes which began on March 24th, 2005. Long live Michael Scott's Powerpoint.
