The Office (U.K.)

Set in suburban London at a dysfunctional paper company, this caustic British sitcom follows the day-to-day troubles of the firm's uninspired desk jockeys while a documentary team captures every cringe-inducing moment on film. Comedian Ricky Gervais stars as middle manager -- and pompous buffoon -- David Brent, whose underlings include acerbic receptionist Dawn Tinsley (Lucy Davis) and insufferable bootlicker Gareth Keenan (Mackenzie Crook).