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The Office (UK)

(Rated TV-14, Comedy, Starring Martin Freeman, Ricky Gervais, Lucy Davis, Where to watch: Cartoon Network, BBC America, DVD)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    As hilarious as the U.S. version, but with a darker tone.

Themes in this show include:   dating/crushes, friendship, honesty

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The corporate world seems dreary and tedious, filled with self-serving coworkers who try to kill time by planning practical jokes and making fun of each other.

  • Role models:

    David Brent is truly The Boss from Hell, but what makes him even worse is that he thinks he’s everybody’s best friend. Insensitive, crass, and rude, almost every word out of his mouth makes people cringe.

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    No nudity or sex, but lots of flirting, innuendo, and sexist comments, some bordering on sexual harassment.

  • Language:

    Plenty of choice terms, including “s--t,” “twat,” “c--k,” and “wanker.” Some racist phrases, as well.

  • Consumerism:

    A few references to popular British TV shows.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters often talk about drinking and regale each other with exaggerated stories from their wild nights at the pub.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Office (UK)

Parents need to know that this sardonic British mockumentary skewers the corporate world, exposing the drudgery, tedium, and mindless pranks that make up daily life for so many office drones. Central character David Brent manages to inadvertently offend nearly everyone around him with his casual sexism, occasional racism, and nonstop pompous blather. Nearly the entire series takes place in the office, but there’s plenty of talk about wild nights out drinking, plenty of swearing (including "s--t"), and a fair bit of flirting and sexual innuendo.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about office politics. Do you think this portrayal of office life is close to reality? Do the characters seem real, or do they seem more like stereotypes of office workers? Would you like to work in such an environment? Do you think many people actually do?
  • How is British comedy different from American comedy? How does this series differ from the hit remake on NBC? Why was this concept able to travel well across the Atlantic? Why do other remakes fail?
Tools and tips that can help

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Censor
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    It's way more inappropriate than the U.S. version

    The language is a lot stronger , they say the " f " word sometimes , they also usually say the " s " word too . And the sex can be really bad .

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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