The Office has carved out a legacy as one of the most famous comedy shows to ever hit television. It begs the question, writes streaming columnist NICK OVERALL, what will fans be saying about the first season of the Australian version of The Office? 

Any big fans of the American version of The Office will often say the exact same thing when recommending the show to others.

“Just get through season one and it gets better”.

Not the most motivating sales pitch, is it? But it is absolutely true.

The first season of the massively popular series inspired by Ricky Gervais’ UK sitcom of the same name struggled to find its feet and turned many people off.

But those who stuck with it will happily talk of how it came to be one of their favourite shows, and, knowing Office fans, a show they’ve likely watched around half a dozen times as a conservative guess.

Despite its rough start, The Office has carved out a legacy as one of the most famous comedy shows to ever hit television, still consistently bringing in millions of streaming viewership almost 20 years after it first aired.

It begs the question, what will fans be saying about the first season of the Australian version of The Office that’s set to make its debut next week?

That’s right. The UK has had it, America has had it, and now it’s our turn. The Office Australia begins with an eight-episode season set to stream on Amazon Prime Video from October 18.

Like many remakes and spin-offs, the show’s creators have swapped the genders of a lot of the main characters.

Aussie comedian Felicity Ward takes on the role of the cringe-inducing office boss named Hannah Howard. She’s the equivalent of Steve Carell’s Michael Scott or Ricky Gervais’ David Brent, a bumbling wannabe who thinks they know how to win friends and influence people but in reality, does rather the opposite.

As for the supporting cast, it’s also very clear who is inspired by who.

Edith Poor plays Lizzie, the high-pants, shirt-tucked-in weirdo of the workplace who’s clearly supposed to be Dwight.

Then there’s also Nick (Steen Raskopoulos) and Greta (Sharri Sebbens) who seem to be the Jim and Pam of this version of the show, a couple who desperately want to be together but only get in their own way.

Any fans of the American and UK counterparts will also be able to spot the many other similarities.

It’s certainly got viewers abuzz, with the first trailer on YouTube already racking up two million views in under a fortnight. Some parts of the trailer look genuinely funny, while others fall terribly flat.

The Office Australia certainly has potential, but can it seize it?

When the American version first aired in 2005, it was trying too hard to be like the UK show that inspired it.

That awkward mish-mash of comedy failed to resonate with any one audience. It was only when The Office US embraced its own identity and leaned more into its American brand of humour in season two onwards that it was able to translate.

There’s a strong lesson here.

If the Aussie show is to succeed it can’t make the same mistake.

In an era where television shows are so abundant, streaming services strike down and cancel them at a moment’s notice.

If The Office Australia can’t carve out an identity quickly, it may not survive to see a second season and might not have the chance to turn into a real hit. Australia is no stranger to shows which poke plenty of fun at office politics.

Utopia, which streams on ABC iView, brilliantly captures all the awkwardness of the 9-to-5 by taking a satirical look at the public service.

It comes from Rob Sitch, the man behind The Castle, Frontline and The Hollowmen.

Productions like these prove there is plenty of satire to wring out of the Aussie workplace by embracing our own sense of humour. If The Office Australia can do the same, it might have a chance at becoming a beloved hit like its predecessors.

Fun fact, it’s not just the Poms and the Yanks who lay claim to The Office. It’s also been remade in 11 other countries including Poland, India, France, the Czech Republic and even Chile.

If they can do it, Australia certainly can.