We've long been fans of both the U.K. and U.S. versions of The Office. But when choosing between the two, we have to stand by Ricky Gervais's brilliantly awkward, two-season original. What can we say, we're just suckers for a limey! That said, our homeland version has had more seasons, more characters, more lighthearted laughs and more jokes that, due to their cultural relevance, we simply get. So why then, does the original get Maxim.com's seal of approval?

The deciding factor is Jim Halpert. Jim's supposed to be the show's voice of reason, the only regular dude amongst a sea of bat shit insane employees. But the thing is, there's nothing "regular" about the guy because he goes through each episode with an air of aloofness and a snobby attitude. Unlike his character's inspiration, Tim Canterbury, an unmotivated and self-deprecating paper rep who never shied away from taking the piss out of himself, the sharply dressed Jim's too busy brutally busting on Dwight's simple upbringing, rolling his eyes at the camera in smug disbelief or generally acting better than everyone else to ever earn likeable, "every joe" status. Um, no thanks, Jim. We'll take Jervais' excruciatingly uncomfortable and self-effacing version any day of the week.

Watch the clips below and then tell us what you guys think -- have we hit the nail on the head or are we just a bunch of Benedict Arnolds?

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Tim


Jim