The Office gets emphatic thumbs-up from US critics
The Office has received rave reviews from critics after its first airing on US television.
The comedy won instant comparisons with 'Britcom' classic Fawlty Towers, following its debut on the BBC America cable channel on Thursday night.
The San Francisco Chronicle called it "comedy gold" and "the funniest thing you are likely to see all year".
Its critic Tim Goodman added: "If you think that statement is a bit outlandish, try this: It's also funnier than anything you saw last year."
But he warned against remaking the show in an American context, an idea already being considered.
