Why did critics originally complain about The Office (US series)? Are they incompetent or just plain lazy?

Keep in mind lots of critics had only seen that first episode. It was almost completely a recreation of the British pilot. I do like the British version. But if all they'd done was stick with the UK scripts as closely as they did in that first one then those critics would've been right. Because the UK version is shorter you don't get as good a feel for the secondary characters (the Kevins and Creeds of the UK). But I think you get more than enough time to appreciate the main characters. And I really like the way the UK version ended. I like the way the US story has continued, but there's a simplicity to the UK version that is appealing.