The Office (2001)

Stars come out for BBC2's Office night

BBC2 will dedicate an entire evening to airing the first series of The Office later this month, including new footage of Ricky Gervais and the team talking about its impact alongside comedy stars such as Friends' Matthew Perry and Spinal Tap's Christopher Guest.

How 'The Office' became an opera

One music student has transformed The Office into an opera - to the delight of Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais.

A good day at the office

An interview with Ricky Gervais in the Financial Times.

Ricky Gervais's The Office: the perfect TV comedy?

The fact that The Office being remade in yet another country, for the sixth time and on this occasion in Israel, confirms once more the universality of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's comic creation. That and the fact that, by now, they must be so stupendously rich that their recent Comic Relief sketch could only have been a tame understatement.

As such, The Office has redefined the standard for effective comedy that actually has something to say. It's shown the competition just how to mix drama, comedy, characterisation and poignancy without becoming too cynical, or mawkish.

Unfortunately it would appear that the team behind The Office have forgotten much of what made the first show such a success and managed to dismiss the formula that lead to that BAFTA, the possession of which has been trumpeted from the rooftops.

The Office (BBC2) is a very funny spoof documentary series, though more "Ouch!" than "Ha, ha!" It turns on a fine performance from Ricky Gervais as Dave, the egregious manager of an office in Slough that is under threat of closure ("Did I not want to hear that, Jenny!") Dave swings from cliché to catchphrase with the grace of an orangutan.

Finally, a quick but enthusiastic nod in the direction of The Office (BBC2) - it might be another spoof documentary series, but it's a spoof documentary series distinguished by superb performances and regular belly-laughs, and is not to be missed.