The trailer for the Australian version of the popular British comedy series The Office has been heavily criticized just hours after its release.
Prime Video posted a full-length trailer for the show, starring comedienne Felicity Ward in the role made famous by Ricky Gervais, on YouTube on Wednesday.
But the sneak peek of the show failed to impress fans, with many complaining that the scenes were unfunny, or “creepy.”
“This is the Raygun version of The Office,” wrote one commenter, referring to Australian breakdancer Rachel Gunn, who shocked the world with her viral dance routine at the recent Paris Olympics.
“Dear Prime, it’s not too late to remove this,” wrote another YouTuber.
Meanwhile, another critic compared the trailer for the workplace comedy to a school performance.
“This is one of those embarrassing school parody projects…someone really thought this was a good idea.”
“If this is the best you could come up with for the trailer, the series is doomed,” someone else noted earnestly.
The trailer for the Australian version of Ricky Gervais’ (pictured) hit series The Office has been criticised in the UK within hours of its release
On Wednesday, Prime Video posted a full-length trailer for the show on YouTube, starring comedienne Felicity Ward (pictured) in the role made famous by Ricky Gervais
This came after fans were assured that the local version of The Office would have the same famous, dry comedy style as the original British hit.
However, in June last year, the creators promised that they would also give the series a typically Australian touch.
“Everyone loves the show and has an opinion about it, and then you have the Australian version in your hands,” said Kylie Washington, then general manager and creative director of BBC Studios.
But the sneak peek of the show failed to impress a large number of commenters on the video sharing site, with many complaining that the scenes were unfunny, or ‘grinning’
“You want to preserve the DNA of the show that made it so successful,” Washington continued in an interview with Media Week.
“There is absolute respect for that. We don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater and start reinventing everything. That’s not what you do when you work with a format.”
Big names like Isla Fisher and Magda Szubanski were rumored to be playing the lead role of Gervais, but Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed last year that Felicity Ward would take on the role of the office boss in the Australian remake.
The Office Australia is produced by BBC Studios ANZ and Bunya Entertainment for Prime Video.
The original BBC version of The Office, created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, debuted in 2001 and ultimately ran for 12 episodes over two seasons.
In 2003, Merchant and Gervais reunited with the original cast to produce a two-part Christmas special that was critically acclaimed and hugely popular.
A popular American version of the series starring Steve Carrell ran for 9 seasons after its premiere in 2005.
Versions of the show have been produced in Sweden, France, Israel, Canada, Brazil and India.