The Office revisited Page 3

Quote: Jacob Loves Comedy @ August 31 2009, 1:19 PM BST

One thing I was struck by when watching it was: This is just too good. The writing, directing, performances - just all too good.

View original

What struck me was just how unfunny it is! Entertaining, certainly, but it was doing well if it managed 2 laughs from me per-episode. The bits that make me laugh are the facial expressions, so particularly the training day episode. Much like Harry Hill's silent glances to the side camera in TV Burp. The rest of it I just don't get.

I'll admit, I haven't laughed as much as I did during the first first viewing. The characters, scripts and performances are down to a T. But the joke relies on the shock value of saying/doing something outrageous and seeing as I've seen it loads of times, it's lost its edge.

It's still fantastic, but there is so much more out there that makes me laugh on every repeat viewing. That that is probably what great writing/performances is.

Quote: Aaron @ August 31 2009, 5:52 PM BST

What struck me was just how unfunny it is! Entertaining, certainly, but it was doing well if it managed 2 laughs from me per-episode. The bits that make me laugh are the facial expressions, so particularly the training day episode. Much like Harry Hill's silent glances to the side camera in TV Burp. The rest of it I just don't get.

View original

I found myself laughing out loud all the time.

Loved that bit about how they made Gareth look really pasty in his talking-heads bits. it seems so obvious now though.

Quote: Tim Walker @ August 31 2009, 4:43 PM BST

Ooh, which one, Dolly?

View original

Alexander Perkins http://www.uk.castingcallpro.com/view.php?uid=57604

He was one of the office staff. A nice bloke and a really good comedy actor.

Read on Ricky's blog that he watched episode 5 last night, which is the first time he's watched the show since it went out in 2001.

Quote: Aaron @ August 31 2009, 5:52 PM BST

What struck me was just how unfunny it is! Entertaining, certainly, but it was doing well if it managed 2 laughs from me per-episode. The bits that make me laugh are the facial expressions, so particularly the training day episode. Much like Harry Hill's silent glances to the side camera in TV Burp. The rest of it I just don't get.

View original

I can see how someone would not laugh so much during an episode, with me though, I've seen it so many times I no longer laugh and laugh and laugh at it, but I did do. It really is too good.

I agree with Tim that everything about the show was just amazing. Gervais's performance was just brilliant. His timing was so good, it was like Comedy Jazz. The line that made me laugh the loudest, though, was when Gareth said a gay farmer shouldn't be allowed near animals.

I love The Office; in fact, I adore everything about it. The cast, the simplicity of the idea, the writing, Tim and Dawn, Brent, Gareth; I have so many superlatives to give to this show.

The mundane nature of everyday life just isn't explored enough in sitcoms. If truth be told though, the BBC should be giving new writers opportunities to get their work out there. Unfortunately in today's television climate, you have to be established, which is a shame.

I think Merchant and Gervais undoubtedly struck comedy gold when they wrote The Office. But the time has come for the BBC to give new writers an opportunity to try and establish their names in the industry.

Quote: catskillz @ September 1 2009, 12:28 AM BST

I agree with Tim that everything about the show was just amazing. Gervais's performance was just brilliant. His timing was so good, it was like Comedy Jazz. The line that made me laugh the loudest, though, was when Gareth said a gay farmer shouldn't be allowed near animals.

View original

Rewatching the first series of The Office I didn't begin to see the nuts and bolts and Gervais's performance is still up there with the TV greats as a comedian and an actor.
One moment that stuck out was when he found who his lodger was shagging and the look on his face was half disgusted guardian and half jealous bloke who didn't pull.
The knives have been out for Gervais for some time and it's fashionable now to slag him off, but I always look forward to his next projects. Ghost World is a really fine above average comedy and I hope his new film does well for him.

Quote: youngian @ September 1 2009, 1:03 PM BST

it's fashionable now to slag him off

View original

Fun too!

(Although he does mnake it easy for us, what with his personality and all, and I don't think I've read a single good review of his new stand up show.)

You will only read bad reviews of his stand up show because people have unreal expectations of Ricky Gervais these days. His new stand up show was great. Very funny.

I think Ricky has the right attitude anyway, he's in comedy mainly for himself, what everyone else thinks is irrelevant.

Quote: Jacob Loves Comedy @ September 1 2009, 2:12 PM BST

You will only read bad reviews of his stand up show because people have unreal expectations of Ricky Gervais these days.

View original

Not sure that's true. Generally speaking if something is good it picks up a fair few good reviews. And if something's bad, it picks up bad reviews. I don't think people have unreal expectations of Gervais, they recognise he's a major talent, but he does seem to have got a bit lazy of late. And I say that as a huge Office fan, and a big Extras fan.

He's just written, directed and acted in two Hollywood movies. Now doing a stand up tour. The stand up show was great and the movies look fantastic. Lazy.....

Quote: chipolata @ September 1 2009, 2:14 PM BST

Not sure that's true. Generally speaking if something is good it picks up a fair few good reviews. And if something's bad, it picks up bad reviews. I don't think people have unreal expectations of Gervais, they recognise he's a major talent, but he does seem to have got a bit lazy of late. And I say that as a huge Office fan, and a big Extras fan.

View original

That's a fair enough summing up except but perhaps he is not lazy enough and should slow down and create one worthy project at a time instead of juggling two or three high profile pieces just to keep himself in the public eye.

I liked to his first US film project Ghost World because it wasn't a big shouty big budget comedy in which he made fart gags and had slapstick set pieces with Will Ferrel.

After hearing and watching interviews with Ricky since The Office broke, I really don't think he gives two shits about being in the public eye.

Quote: Jacob Loves Comedy @ September 1 2009, 3:10 PM BST

After hearing and watching interviews with Ricky since The Office broke, I really don't think he gives two shits about being in the public eye.

View original

I think Gervais both likes and loathes being in the public eye, as witnessed by Extras, which was a fascinating insight into his muddled psyche as much as anything.