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By
DEBORAH NICOL
In the great debate
concerning who has the worst boss, writers and
creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant pose
that it is the bloke who wants to be your best
mate, your confidant...the one who will not leave
you alone.
In BBC television's smash-hit, Gervais portrays
said annoyance, and plays him full tilt. Designed
to feel as if it is a documentary of a paper
company as it is being down-sized, Gervais (as
David Brent) spouts his disjointed philosophies,
slathers on inappropriate comments, and witnesses
his dead jokes silence a room of employees. With
no canned laughter and the occasional feeling of
eavesdropping, this program brilliantly captures
the humor of reality at its most mundane.
Tripping at Brent's heels is his side-kick 'team
leader,' Gareth, played with eerie obsession by
Mackenzie Crook. Gareth is the only employee who
appears to take his role in the office with utmost
seriousness, often relating everyday tasks to his
time in the army and his survival ability.
Ever-testing Gareth's limits, in order to keep
himself sane, is Tim (a wonderfully dry Martin
Freeman) who slides quips to fellow employees that
do not realize they are the butt of his jokes. His
only weakness is patient receptionist Dawn (Lucy
Davis), miserably engaged despite an obvious
shared attraction with Tim.
Included on the second DVD of the first series is a very entertaining
"How I made 'The Office'" featurette, including
interviews with the cast and creators and gag
outtakes. A surprising revelation is that Gervais
is not playing too far from his own outlandish
personality, ever hamming it up for those who will
listen. Also included are deleted scenes, and the
full version of the Training Day video. On the
second series disc, special features include more
deleted scenes and outtakes, as well as a Slough
slang glossary.
Incredibly
hilarious, it is no wonder America wants to steal
another successful Brit comedy. |
