Amazon should have hired Aussie comedian and YouTuber, Garn, to write and director a work mockumentary about tradies, instead of this crap…
Amazon’s attempt at an Australian version of The Office has sparked widespread disappointment, with viewers and critics alike slamming it as out of touch and lacking the charm of its predecessors. The show, led by Felicity Ward as Hannah Howard, has been criticized for failing to capture the essence of Australian culture or the relatable dynamics of office life. Instead, the series relies on a formulaic approach, filled with forced Gen Z humor and lifeless interactions that feel disconnected from real office experiences. Many, including YouTuber FriendlyJordies, have noted that it seems to have been written by people who have never set foot in an Australian office, leading to a show that feels more like a hollow imitation than a genuine adaptation.
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Amazon’s The Office Australia has been a hot topic since its release, with many viewers and critics expressing disappointment over its lack of originality, relatability, and humor. The show has largely failed to capture what made both the UK and US versions of The Office such cultural phenomena. Despite having talented cast like Felicity Ward as the first female boss, Hannah Howard, many feel the show falls flat, lacking the biting satire and heart that the earlier versions had.
One of the biggest criticisms is that the Australian version feels out of touch. As FriendlyJordies pointed out, it seems like the writers have never actually worked in an office or fully embraced Australian culture. The attempt to Americanize an already Americanized show in an Australian setting has left the new series feeling awkward and directionless, without a clear audience. Reviewers have echoed this sentiment, with The Guardian calling the show “an edgeless reboot doomed for the shredder” and others, like The Telegraph, noting that it simply doesn’t add anything new to the Office formula.
For someone like me, who has worked in an office for eight years, it’s clear why this new adaptation feels so off. It doesn’t reflect the reality of office life in Australia, nor does it offer memorable, believable characters. Instead, it leans heavily on poorly delivered Gen Z jokes that don’t land, with interactions between characters feeling forced and unconvincing.
The true missed opportunity, however, lies in the show’s choice of setting. Rather than rehashing the office environment for the umpteenth time, a truly Australian take could have focused on the world of tradies—plumbers, electricians, and other tradespeople. The rich, authentic dynamics of tradesmen’s lives, from the banter between a site manager and a rookie apprentice to the shared struggles of physically demanding work, would have been a far better reflection of Australian life and culture.
Imagine if the creators had approached YouTuber Garn instead. Known for his hilarious and spot-on comedy sketches like “Every Electrician Ever” and “Every Maccas Worker Ever,” Garn captures the essence of the Aussie working-class experience with humor that’s raw, relatable, and laugh-out-loud funny. His portrayal of characters like the cocky, no-nonsense tradie or the laid-back forklift operator hits all the right comedic notes, highlighting the quirks of Australian life in a way that resonates with viewers both locally and globally. Garn’s humor is deeply embedded in Australian culture, making him the perfect candidate to write and direct a series about the lives of tradies—something The Office Australia could have been, but wasn’t.
It’s not too late for Australian creators to redeem themselves. There’s still potential for a The Office-style show based on the lives of Australian tradespeople. Such a series would not only offer a fresh perspective but also embody the true spirit of Aussie culture, with relatable characters and a sense of humor that could reach a global audience. It’s time someone steps up and delivers the show Australia deserves.