Remakes, man
Okay, so you've all seen wikipedia's comprehensive table comparing the British, American, French, German, Chilean, Quebecois, and Israeli versions of The Office. (Remember when Ulf and Tanja pulled that one prank on Berthold? Classic.) Buutt...
Allow me to introduce you to the 21st century's all-time remake champion, with 18 international versions to The Office's 7: Columbian telenovela Yo Soy Betty la Fea (I am Betty the Ugly Girl). It's a melodrama about this homely girl, see, who becomes a secretary at this high-fashion... wait, you've heard this already, Ugly Betty, international remake #7. According to the article, other remakes/spinoffs aired from 2003 - 2010 include, let's see, Ugly Ula, Ugly Bela, Ugly Katka, Don't Give Up Nina, There Is No One Like Jassi, Ugly Wu Xi, and, of course, Betty Toons, the animated adventures of Li'l Ugly Betty (Saturday mornings on Telefutura). (This guy has a write-up.)
Ominously, as of May 2010, Georgian National TV is airing Gogona Gareubnidan, a Tblisi-based remake of Ugly Betty (as opposed to Yo Soy Betty la Fea). All too soon we'll see a Jakarta-based remake of the Georgia remake, then a Burundian remake of that, then the endlessly-replicating meme will wash away all of earth's obsolete tales and engulf us all in its plucky suffocating girl-makes-good gestalt. Imagine a nerd-glassesed face smiling at a hunky exec, forever.
Allow me to introduce you to the 21st century's all-time remake champion, with 18 international versions to The Office's 7: Columbian telenovela Yo Soy Betty la Fea (I am Betty the Ugly Girl). It's a melodrama about this homely girl, see, who becomes a secretary at this high-fashion... wait, you've heard this already, Ugly Betty, international remake #7. According to the article, other remakes/spinoffs aired from 2003 - 2010 include, let's see, Ugly Ula, Ugly Bela, Ugly Katka, Don't Give Up Nina, There Is No One Like Jassi, Ugly Wu Xi, and, of course, Betty Toons, the animated adventures of Li'l Ugly Betty (Saturday mornings on Telefutura). (This guy has a write-up.)
Ominously, as of May 2010, Georgian National TV is airing Gogona Gareubnidan, a Tblisi-based remake of Ugly Betty (as opposed to Yo Soy Betty la Fea). All too soon we'll see a Jakarta-based remake of the Georgia remake, then a Burundian remake of that, then the endlessly-replicating meme will wash away all of earth's obsolete tales and engulf us all in its plucky suffocating girl-makes-good gestalt. Imagine a nerd-glassesed face smiling at a hunky exec, forever.