There is no snobbery more insufferable than the one-upsmanship of memory.

"The London production of 'Democracy' was so much better."

"You think that's bad? I was in Fenway Park in 1978 when Bucky Dent's home run destroyed the Red Sox."

"This is a nice Sauternes. Of course, it's no Château d'Yquem."

And though it grates to admit it, the American version of "The Office" is very funny -- for viewers who never saw the original series on BBC America.

Luckily for NBC, which bought the rights to the British comedy, only a relatively small number of viewers in the United States have seen the BBC version. Those happy few should try to erase every trace from their brains -- Eternal Sunshine of the Digital Cable Mind -- because the NBC series, though it pales in comparison, is still funnier than any other new network sitcom.