“I didn't know whether The Office was going to make it past six episodes, let alone have an effect on anybody's career. We were definitely up against it because obviously we were faced with comparisons to the BBC version right off the bat. I think everyone was very dubious about recreating what is now a classic TV show. Most people did not have high hopes, us included, frankly. We were just trying to do the best we could and, with any luck, turn out a good show.”