Tel Aviv, Israel (CNN) -- Put an Israeli Arab, a Jewish settler and a large man with no tact in the same room and you can see the sparks fly. Put it on television and you can call it comedy.
Israel is the latest country to see the "The Office" -- or "HaMisrad" -- on its TV screens. The hit British comedy originally penned by Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant has spawned spin-off series across the world, including in the U.S. where it starred comedian Steve Carell.
The Hebrew version shares much with the British original like the awkward car-crash moments when personalities collide in an office -- but with one basic difference.
"The Israeli culture is almost opposite [to British culture]," says Uzi Weill, the screenwriter who adapted the UK version for an Israeli audience.
"Where the British would be embarrassed, the Israeli would be embarrassing. The British would be reserved, the Israeli would just say it flat to your face".
The Israeli version deals in a healthy amount of stereotypes -- Arab, settler, Russian, Ethiopian, tired old businessman. But then it starts to challenge what you think you know about that character.
"It does change the inner way you look at things, you are not as set in the way you perceive reality," says Weill.
Jamil Khoury plays Abed, the Israeli Arab who does everything he can to blend into the predominantly Jewish office. He says his character is different to Arab characters usually seen on Israeli television.
CNN
