Stromberg

I don't know if it's just the special German humor that makes a lot of people think this series is dumb or just a remake of the UK-version. I didn't see the UK version, but I saw the American version which is known as way worse than the UK version. The contents are similar but the humor of Stromber is so much better in my opinion. You have to be a fan of that special "Stromberg humor". If you understand that kind of humor you WILL agree that Christoph Maria Herbst is the best actor for that character. He just makes you laugh with every action he does. I don't think that the 3rd season is gonna be as good as the first two and that Stromberg will loose its humor but you never know... Unfortunately, I won't be able to watch this 3rd season since I'm currently a foreign exchange student in America but I'm definitely gonna buy the DVD. One more thing to Superunknown: It is true that it doesn't look spontaneous and realistic but that is part of this humor. You just have love that humor or that series is the worst thing you've ever seen.

This is a wonderful remake of the British original, which I unfortunately never had a chance to watch -- it certainly is great, too, I love British television, but as little as I normally like German TV, this show is GREAT!! The US version is pretty good, too, by the way -- in case anyone gets a chance to watch it. The protagonist (the Herbst guy) is definitely one of the funniest and most talented comedians Germany has ever had (and contrarily to what people, especially the Brits, will say, there have been quite a few!!) So, people, if you get a chance to watch this ( I suspect it is no longer on German television....haven't been able to watch German TV lately so I don't really know! But there's bound to be re-runs, at least I certainly hope so as this was basically the only thing I was trying to watch on a regular basis. Sorry for going on and on,but the rules for this forum are that comments have to consist of at least 10 lines (don't know why!!)

I love The Office, I've seen the UK and US version several times and I'm also a fan of Ricky Gervais work.

Because I'm not a German native (B2 level) I didn't have high expectations for the German version. But boy I was so wrong, the humor, the mimic and the sayings are just outstanding, I laughed a lot and I think it's on par with the other versions.

Herbst is genuinely funny and acts masterfully, and the character interactions are realistic.

I really don't get why this show isn't more popular, at least in Europe. Maybe because it comes only with German subtitles!

Netflix should do better with this comedy gem, it should provide subtitles at least in English, they are so rare and these days there's no comedy anymore, everything is controlled and politically correct.

You can really say that this is is just an Office Remake. But that would be something it has in common with many other shows. Mainly the US remake that has the same title. The original is the one with Ricky Gervais .. a role that he really inhabits ... and that seems to be a bit of his personality - maybe just the comedian in him. But he clearly doesn't seem to care what others think - so he will make fun of any- and everyone.

But back to this. Because you would do this injustice if you just compared it with the Original show. The very first season, takes a bit of time to get it on ... to really get going. But especially the second season really shoots for the stars. And Stromberg is being played geniusly by Herbst! What a role, what a performance. Now he is not really likeable and he says a lot of bad things ... and yet through all the moments we hate him or are annoyed by him, the acting and the "documentary" (reality tv) style enhance everything - and make him ... somewhat sympathetic.

Season 3 still holds up good, but it goes a bit in a downward spiral with season 4. Although it does change scenery a little bit - which is good ... it cannot sustain what was made before. At least not for an entire season. There are some brilliant moments and Herbst never lets off ... rather kind of gets better in his depiction - trying to be a "good" person! According to his own standards and own values.

I am on to watch the second season of Ricky Gervais Office ... and then I will have the US office ... which will be a bit of a drag I reckon ... so many seasons, so many episodes ... but more on that on the other side ... I mean site.

It's a common mistake to compare "Stromberg" with the original British TV-series "The Office". Though characters and stories have been copied, the German producers of the series changed the tone and style of the dialogues from the beginning. It is why the German version has been such a success and has already amassed a huge fan-community. Everything said and the way it is played is 100% German humor. And it is a comedic jewel in his own right. Those desperately trying to compare every little bit of detail with the British original fail to see that you cannot successfully transfer all subtleties into a foreign format. It would never be the same anyway. Those in favor of the British original should stick with it. The German producers took the format and changed it into something new. And all the actors follow the style of the show very very accurately. For the first time, German TV-makers have changed an original into something original.