The Office (UK)

Gervais is brilliant as the clueless office manager. Steve Carell has made the role his own in the hit U.S. version of the show, but Gervais deserves credit for inventing a character who's pure blather and corporate doublespeak to the core. The series uses the “mockumentary” format, following the office workers through their daily activities and letting them explain their inner thoughts directly to the cameras. This enables Brent to show, in his own words, that his displays of false bravado and accidental insults are no show. His public missteps and private self are one and the same, and nearly everything that comes from his mouth is cringeworthy.

Brent’s coworkers are just as important, and the series is spot-on in capturing the little details of their efforts to make office life bearable. The unctuous Gareth’s (Mackenzie Crook) attempts to cozy up to his boss make him almost as annoying as Brent. And it’s hard not to feel for Tim (Martin Freeman), who’s clearly unsatisfied with his sales rep position -- and his life -- and pines for the receptionist Dawn (Lucy Davis). Viewers will likely see some aspect of themselves in The Office, making this a comedy with universal appeal (although it may make teens want to avoid the real world a bit longer...).