HaMisrad is an Israeli television sitcom, that aired on the Yes Comedy channel. It is a version of The Office, a 2001–2003 British sitcom that had already been remade in nine other countries. HaMisrad is a mockumentary set in a branch of the fictional "Paper Office" office supplies company, in the industrial city of Yehud. The series stars Dvir Benedek as Avi Meshulam, the branch's regional manager, a character based heavily on the character of David Brent in the original series. It is co-produced by Yes and July August Productions.
HaMisrad is an Israeli television sitcom, that aired on the Yes Comedy channel. It is a version of The Office, a 2001–2003 British sitcom that had already been remade in nine other countries. HaMisrad is a mockumentary set in a branch of the fictional "Paper Office" office supplies company, in the industrial city of Yehud. The series stars Dvir Benedek as Avi Meshulam, the branch's regional manager, a character based heavily on the character of David Brent in the original series. It is co-produced by Yes and July August Productions.
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HaMisrad (Hebrew: המשרד, "The Office") is an Israeli television sitcom, that aired on the Yes Comedy channel. It is a version of The Office, a 2001–2003 British sitcom that had already been remade in nine other countries. HaMisrad is a mockumentary set in a branch of the fictional "Paper Office" (in English) office supplies company, in the industrial city of Yehud. The series stars Dvir Benedek as Avi Meshulam, the branch's regional manager, a character based heavily on the character of David Brent in the original series. It is co-produced by Yes and July August Productions.
Like the original series and many of its spinoffs, HaMisrad lampoons office life as well as gender and ethnic relations. In the case of HaMisrad, the office and warehouse include native-born secular Jews, Arabs, Orthodox Jews, and Russian and Ethiopian immigrants.
The first season aired from August to November 2010. Most of the episodes in the first season were based on the 12 episodes from the British series. Many of the early episodes featured identical plots and some of the same dialogue, though as the season went on the episodes' plots diverged increasingly from the originals.
A second season aired in late 2012 and early 2013. It contained all original plots.
The series is broadcast in HD.
Production
The series' writer is Uzi Weil, and the director is Eitan Tzur. Both are Israeli television veterans, who had both previously written and directed for BeTipul, an Israeli drama series that was itself adapted in various countries, including the American series In Treatment.
HaMisrad was created with the approval of the British series' co-creators, Ricky Gervais (who starred in the original) and Stephen Merchant. Gervais, when asked about the Israeli series after it was first announced in early 2009, said he was "thrilled" about the idea, adding wryly, "who ever heard of Jewish entertainers?"
By agreement with the BBC, the main characters had to match the main characters of the UK series, and the first three episodes had to correspond to the UK series' first three episodes. Weill decided to pattern the series even more closely than required on the original UK series, because he felt it was "an official satire" which "had a lot to say about the world and about people." By contrast, Weill did not want to emulate the American version, which he considered "a parody about funny people in a funny place with a lot of feel-good factors thrown in." Weill described his approach to adapting the source material as "In an English or American office, you would keep your views to yourself, but here, all the racial and religious aspects of our lives are out in the open. We’re constantly talking about it – it's why you come to work! So to create an embarrassing situation, you have to take it further comedy-wise. It's not based on 'what would happen if I say this totally horrible thing' because I've already said it. Instead, it's 'what will happen after I say it?'"
Characters
Avi Meshulam (Dvir Benedek) – Regional Manager. An obnoxious, overweight and dimwitted boss who tries unsuccessfully to ingratiate himself with his employees. (Based on David Brent.)
Yariv Shauli (Maayan Blum) – Assistant to the Regional Manager. A proud veteran of what he refers to as a secret branch of the Israeli Army, who is extremely loyal to Meshulam and tries hard to maintain office discipline. (Based on Gareth Keenan.)
Season one
Episode 1 – The staff is introduced; Yelena informs Avi that the branch may be closed down. (Based on Episode 1 of the UK Office, "Downsize".)
Episode 2 – Rumors of the potential branch closing continue; Avi introduces new office worker Shiri; a pornographic email leads to an investigation. (Based on Episode 2 of the UK Office, "Work Experience".)
Episode 3 – It is Yossi's 30th birthday; some of the staff attend a quiz night. (Based on Episode 3 of the UK Office, "The Quiz".)
Episode 4 – News of a military incursion into Gaza has the office on edge; Leah suspects Abed is talking to the enemy.
Episode 5 – An outside facilitator holds a training session about customer relations; Avi reminisces about
Yossi (Eldad Fribas) – Senior Sales Representative. Sarcastic and underachieving, with a long-term unrequited crush on Dana. (Based on Tim Canterbury.)
Dana (Mali Levi) – Receptionist. A generally optimistic person, stuck in a job and a long-term engagement, neither of which she's happy with. (Based on Dawn Tinsley.)
Lavi (Alon Hamawi) – Dana's fiancé, who works in the company warehouse. Macho and often insensitive. (Based on Lee.)
Shimi Guetta (Shai Avivi) – Travelling Sales Representative. Obnoxious, bullying, and prone to insulting jokes. (Based on Chris Finch.)
Yelena (Helena Yaralova) – Corporate Supervisor. Avi's boss, and a Russian immigrant who is straitlaced and business-focused. (Based on Jennifer Taylor-Clarke.)
Karol (Roberto Pollack) – Accountant. A lecherous, cynical Romanian immigrant who hates his wife.
Yevgeni (Dima Ross) – Accountant. A socially awkward Russian immigrant. (Based on Keith Bishop.)
Leah (Ayelet Robinson) – Office worker. A seemingly perpetually pregnant Orthodox Jew who is very opinionated.
Abed (Jamil Khoury) – Sales representative. A gay Israeli Arab who is assimilated into Israeli society but feels alienated (Based on Oscar Martinez from the US adaptation).
Ababa (Avi) Sharon (Yossi Vassa) – Accountant, merged in from the Kiryat Ono branch. An Israeli-born Ethiopian Jew. Mild-mannered, and dislikes being viewed as different. (Based on Oliver.)
Riki (Hilla Sarjon) – Office worker, merged in from the Kiryat Ono branch. A woman who uses a wheelchair and is aggressively looking for love. (Based on both Brenda and Trudy.)
Regev Steiner (Amir Wolf) – the temp. Is descended from the Rothschilds and is somewhat contemptuous of the rest of the office. (Based on Ricky.)
Shiri (Noa Wollman) – new office worker. Fun-loving and ditzy. (Based on both Donna and Rachel.)
Sammy (Yaniv Suissa) – Warehouse Foreman. Very dismissive of Avi. (Based on Taffy.)
