9m see American remake's return

The American version of The Office has returned for a second series, attracting an impressive audience.

Nine million viewers saw the show return to the NBC network on Tuesday - the best figures since the launch episode in March.

More importantly, the comedy - starring Hollywood hot property Steve Carell as the David Brent character Michael Scott - recorded a 72 per cent rise in viewing among the prized 18-to-49 group over last season’s average.

The figures seem to suggest NBC’s gamble to recommission the show in the face of disappointing ratings could yet pay off. Executives are hoping The Office could become a slow-burning ‘sleeper’ hit, as Seinfeld was.

Much of the show’s ratings success can be attributed to its slot, going out immediately after one of America’s hottest new comedies, My Name Is Earl.

The show, about a small-time crook who decides to go straight and apologise to everyone he has ever wronged, was seen by an impressive 15 million viewers.

It’s the best ratings the 9pm comedy slot on the NBC network has achieved since Frasier three years ago.

The ratings are good news for Channel 4, which recently bought the rights to air My Name Is Earl in Britian.

When it goes out next year, it will be the first new US comedy to air on the station since Scrubs in 2001.

Visit NBC’s website to watch a clip from the show

Published: 23 Sep 2005