The Office (2001)
- TV sitcom
- BBC Two
- 2001 - 2003
- 14 episodes (2 series)
A BBC documentary team film the office of David Brent, manager from hell: he's tactless and talentless, yet somehow thinks everyone loves him. Stars Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis, Joel Beckett and more.
Streaming rank this week: 64
Press clippings Page 2
Stephen Merchant and Martin Freeman break down The Office Christmas special, 20 years later
The kiss! The scotch egg! The 'Chris, why don't you fuck off'! The Office's finale is unquestionably the best Christmas special in sitcom history, and has come second in our critic's poll of the best British TV episodes of the century. So we sat down for a rewatch with the people that made it.
Sam Parker, GQ, 5th December 2023UK vs US comedy: A lesson in quality over quantity
It essentially comes down to the fact that UK comedy shows often run for just a few seasons, packed to the rafters with quality and hidden moments that only reveal themselves after several viewings. By contrast, US comedy shows often go on for several seasons, mostly overstaying their welcome and having audiences become tired of their tropes and characters.
Thomas Leatham, Far Out, 1st August 2023Ash Atalla: Today's commissioners would find The Office 'a pretty boring pitch'
Sitcom's original producer says audiences now demand "more action".
Ellie Khan, Broadcast, 1st June 2023The Office is coming to Australia - with Felicity Ward starring as a 'modern-day David Brent'
Ricky Gervais says he is 'very excited' about the remake, which will be set at a packaging company where staff are sent to work from home.
Steph Harmon, The Guardian, 31st May 2023The reality of remaking UK sitcoms
The CBS version of the BBC comedy Ghosts is one of the biggest shows on American TV. But US remakes more often than not go south. Armando Iannucci and other creators share their horror stories.
Daniel Dylan Wray, The Guardian, 13th May 2023The 25 funniest Christmas comedy TV specials of all time
The comedy special is as much a part of British Christmas as a family row and mountains of sprouts. This year, comedy shows from Motherland and The Detectorists to Mrs Brown's Boys and Ghosts are returning with festive specials to round off 2022. To celebrate, we countdown the greatest 25 Christmas comedy specials of all time.
Tom Fordy, The Telegraph, 23rd December 2022The greatest Christmas TV moments of all time ranked
The greatest Christmas TV moment of all-time is the Only Fools And Horses 'Batman and Robin' episode.
A poll of 2,000 adults who celebrate Christmas found the hilarious moment from 1996 where Del Boy and Rodney unknowingly prevent a crime - while dressed as the dynamic duo - is top of the tree.
Jake Penkethman, The Sun, 30th November 2022Del Boy falling through bar voted funniest sitcom scene
A poll run by TV channel Gold has named moments from Only Fools And Horses, The Vicar Of Dibley, Dad's Army and Fawlty Towers as the funniest British sitcom scenes.
British Comedy Guide, 1st November 2022BBC Four to repeat comedy classics
To link in with the celebrations of 100 years of the BBC, from Saturday 22nd October BBC Four will begin broadcasting classic episodes of sitcoms and sketch shows.
British Comedy Guide, 14th October 2022Why are first episodes always the best?
The challenge is to be able to keep delivering. And get better.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 26th June 2022