The Office. So funny, yet slightly painful.

I know it's a sitcom, but sometimes it's just so damn hard to watch.The show itself is great. It's distanced itself just enough from the original UK version to not come off like a bad rehash. The writing is excellent, the characters lively and the concepts smart. It might be the best sitcom since Seinfeld (though I haven't seen Arrested Development and My Name is Earl is hotly in contention also). But it hurts sometimes. Those of you that watch the show know about Jim and Pam. If you've only seen the UK version, they're the translation of Tim and Dawn. If you haven't seen either, stop reading this right now, hit iTunes or Bit Torrent, and watch the damn show! For the unwashed, Jim really digs Pam. Jim is in sales, Pam is the receptionist. Without each other, they'd like not make it through the work day. The attraction is there, as is great chemistry. But Pam is engaged to a knuckle-dragging clod. I've been in a very similar situation at a previous job. I won't say which one, but each time I see Jim glance at Pam from his desk, I think of those days. And that's what hurts.