The Office

The Office is a British television comedy series, created, written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, and first aired in the UK on BBC Two on July 9, 2001. After the show's critical success an American version was launched, premiering on NBC on March 24, 2005.

Widely acclaimed as the most successful BBC comedy in this decade, two six-episode series have been made, along with a pair of 45-minute Christmas specials. The show has been sold in over 60 countries worldwide.

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Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

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The show is set in Slough, a satellite town of London which the DVD blurb describes as "dreary", in a small branch of the fictitious paper company Wernham Hogg (where "life is stationery"). The show has no laugh track and is in the mockumentary style, devised at a time when documentaries such as Airport and A Life of Grime (which follow people performing their jobs) were popular.

The office is managed by David Brent (Gervais) along with his assistant, Gareth Keenan (Mackenzie Crook), a lieutenant in the Territorial Army. Much of the series' comedic success stems from David, who frequently makes attempts to win favour with his employees and peers with embarrassing or disastrous results. David's character flaws are used to comic effect, including numerous verbal gaffes, unconscious racism, sexism and other social faux-pas.

Other characters include the unassuming Tim Canterbury (Martin Freeman), whose relationship with bored receptionist Dawn Tinsley (Lucy Davis) is a major arc in the series. Their flirtation soon builds to a mutual romantic attraction, despite her engagement to the dour and laddish warehouse worker, Lee (Joel Beckett).

Main characters

The Office is essentially a character-based comedy, following around the people who work in the office environment. Whilst being more of an ensemble piece than star-driven, four characters in particular are the primary focus of the show:

David Brent (Ricky Gervais)

David Brent is the general manager of the Slough offices of the Wernham Hogg paper merchants. He considers himself to be a Renaissance man, talented in philosophy, music, and most importantly, comedy. He believes that he is everyone's friend, a stand-up comedian of rare talent, and the most well-liked boss in history. Unfortunately for him, he is none of these. He is, in fact, petty, pompous and snide, and this is proven time and time again as he bumbles around the office (always hovering around the camera) telling unfunny jokes, performing hackneyed impressions and generally getting himself into trouble by talking before thinking, and then proceeding to dig himself in deeper. Brent considers himself to be a modern, politically correct man, but he often displays patronising (and at times borderline offensive) attitudes towards women, ethnic minorities, homosexuals and disabled people. However, he is not the boss from hell — just a rather sad but essentially well-meaning man whose job means much more to him than it probably should.

Tim Canterbury (Martin Freeman)

Tim is a sales rep at Wernham Hogg. Unlike David, he actually is funny, likeable and popular. Also, unlike David, he is unpretentious and very much aware of the crushing pointlessness of what it is he does for a living. He is much more intelligent than his job demands. He dropped out of university and, at 30, lives with his parents, doing a job that's beneath him. However, similar to David, there seems to be little chance of him actually freeing himself. As such, he maintains his grip on sanity by flirting with Dawn (on whom he has a serious crush) and playing childish, practical jokes on Gareth. He actually humours David in his efforts on occasion. He is, quite possibly, the nicest and most likeable person in the office.

Gareth Keenan (Mackenzie Crook)

Gareth is Tim's deskmate — and his arch nemesis. Unlike Tim, Gareth is humourlessly devoted to his job. He is completely obsessed with the army, frequently boasts about his experiences in the Territorial Army, and enjoys annoying Tim as much as possible. He has been given the role of Team Leader, a role with few perks and absolutely no authority — but this doesn't stop him from lording it over everyone else in the office anyway. He never lets Tim borrow any of his personal possessions, although Tim usually ends up stealing and hiding them. He believes himself to be world-wise, sophisticated and charming to the opposite sex. He isn't. He is also under the impression that he and David Brent are buddies, a view which Brent sometimes does not seem to share. Brent's favourite way of undermining Gareth is to remind him he is "Assistant to the Regional Manager" rather than (in Gareth's words) "Assistant Regional Manager".

Dawn Tinsley (Lucy Davis)

Dawn is Wernham Hogg's receptionist, and David Brent's dogsbody. It is frequently she who has to put up with Brent's attempts at humour and social interaction. Her life is made even more thankless with her engagement to Lee. Her best friend (and secret crush) is Tim, and they can usually be found hanging around the reception desk flirting with each other and thinking up practical jokes to play on Gareth. Like Tim, she is intelligent and aware of the dullness of her job. She used to illustrate children's books but, due to work and her fiancé, finds herself with no time to do this.

Other characters

Several other recurring characters, although not central to the episodes, have made their mark on office life. These include:

"Big" Keith (Ewen Macintosh): Keith works in the accounts department, which is perhaps fitting because he's like a human statue. Emotionless and apparently suffering short-term amnesia, he usually has the least helpful advice to give to anyone whenever they're in need of it. He likes eating scotch eggs.

Chris Finch (Ralph Ineson): David's so-called 'best friend', 'Finchy' is a loud-mouthed, unpleasant bully who delights in cruelly putting David down at every opportunity. He can throw a kettle over a pub, though, so he's not entirely without redeeming merit. He is also known for reading a book a week (apparently, a book of trivia questions). Given his many disagreeable qualities, he's surprisingly successful in attracting women.

Jennifer Taylor-Clarke (Stirling Gallacher): David's boss in the first series. Jennifer is professional and stern, and does not seem particularly amused by David's comedy-driven style of management. David calls her Camilla Parker-Bowles — "Not to her face, of course."

Lee (Joel Beckett): Dawn's fiancé. It's not quite clear how they managed to hook up. Where Dawn is bright and cheerful, Lee is dour, humourless and aloof: a gruff working class man whose idea of an amorous proposal is a four-word notice in the newspaper and whose idea of a romantic Christmas present is to give Dawn the money to choose something herself.

Neil Godwin (Patrick Baladi): David's boss in the second series. Originally Brent's counterpart at the Swindon branch of the company, Neil was promoted ahead of him when Brent failed the medical examination. Neil is young, charming, and professional. He is also better than Brent is at almost everything and, to pour vinegar into the wound, is well-liked, popular and funny. Not surprisingly, Brent resents him with a passion.

Oliver (Howard Saddler): One of the series two intake from Swindon. Oliver is good natured, tolerant and easy-going. Which is good for him, since he is the only person of colour working in the office and as such is the target for most of Brent's well-meaning but hideously misguided attempts to show what a politically correct and racially tolerant guy he is.

Rachel (Stacey Roca): Another of the series two intake from Swindon. Rachel is bubbly, enthusiastic, and attractive — a fact not lost on either Gareth or Tim, who both go after her during the series. Not surprisingly, she prefers Tim. Also not surprisingly, Dawn is completely jealous of her.

Brenda (Julie Fernandez): Another of the former employees of the Swindon branch, Brenda is a wheelchair user, which naturally brings out the worst in Brent. During a fire drill, he and Gareth attempt to carry Brenda down the stairs but ultimately, as they see it as being too much effort for a mere drill, abandoning her on the way down. Needless to say, Brenda is not impressed by Brent's patronising behaviour. She, like Oliver, is another character whose purpose is to highlight Brent's general ineptitude and the gulf between what he and everyone else sees as being tolerant and politically correct.

Episodes

Series 1

Series 1 of The Office was first broadcast in the UK between 9 July and 20 August, 2001.

Episode One

We are introduced to the staff of Wernham Hogg. David learns that the branch must either economise or be merged with Swindon. Dawn gets a 'hilarious' practical joke played on her by David — and it all ends in tears. Tim keeps setting Gareth's stapler in jelly. Just an average day, then.

Episode Two

An e-mailed pornographic picture with Brent's head superimposed over one of the participants is circulating the office, which Brent hates because 'it offends women'. Gareth is subsequently asked to launch a low-key 'investigation', which means he spends a lot of time making up signs for his temporary 'office'. Will the finger of blame be pointed at the right person? And will Big Keith decide whether he meant to say yes or no?

Episode Three

It's Tim's 30th birthday. Unfortunately for him, it's also the staff pub quiz night, which Brent and his 'mate' Chris Finch have won six years in a row. And victory for a seventh year will hinge on a lot of questions about war and the ability to throw a shoe over a pub.

Episode Four

It's staff training day at Wernham Hogg, and an outside facilitator has come in to educate the Slough branch about customer care. Brent, naturally, is determined to undermine him at every opportunity. Meanwhile, Dawn and Lee are having trouble in their relationship. Is this Tim's moment to make his move? The answer is tragically inevitable.

Episode Five

Brent decides to hire a secretary, because "he needs one". Tim has resolved to quit his job, determined to go back to university and make something of his life. To change his mind, Brent has convinced him to go out on the town with him, Gareth and Finchy. The nightclub they select is Chasers. The evening cannot be described in any way as fun.

Episode Six

It is the day of judgement at Wernham Hogg: Brent can either accept a promotion and the downsizing of his branch, or remain in his present job and accept an influx of workers from the Swindon branch. Naturally, Brent accepts the promotion. Glumly, everyone seems prepared to lose their jobs — but surprises will be sprung by more than one person.

Series 2

The second series of The Office was originally broadcast in the UK between 30 September and 4 November, 2002.

Episode One

The Slough branch has remained open, and the new Swindon intake are due in. Brent is preparing to mark the occasion with one of his stand-up routines. It turns out to be one of the most hideously uncomfortable experiences ever endured by anyone alive. He also meets his new boss, Neil, and begins to hate him instantly. Tim, meanwhile, has been persuaded to stay with a promotion and a pay increase. Dawn is upset because Tim starts taking his job more seriously. Gareth is upset because Tim actually has authority over him now.

Episode Two

It is the day of the staff appraisals, in which we learn that Dawn wants to be a children's illustrator, and that Keith appears to have short-term amnesia. The Swindon lot also indicate that they don't think everything's all right in Slough, and that they preferred Neil to David as a manager. David immediately challenges them to accompany him for a drink to prove he's more fun. Naturally, it doesn't work.

Episode Three

It is an employee's birthday. The atmosphere is fun and a little bit sensual, kind of like a shower in the dark. Naturally, Brent's jealousy, snideness and general social ineptness manages to ruin it all. He is approached to do some outside management training, and delights in informing everyone who'll listen — and most who won't — how much he'll be paid by hour.

Episode Four

Tim has started seeing Rachel, a fellow employee — which naturally gets right up Dawn's nose. Gareth is trying to impress the visiting office computer geek, and it's Brent's big day: the day of his management presentation. His ultra-unorthodox approach, rambling monologue, and use of both a book of Native American wisdom and a Tina Turner song ensure that it is a session not likely to be forgotten by those in attendance.

Episode Five

It's Red Nose Day at Wernham Hogg, which Brent treats like a national holiday. Gareth is hopping everywhere, Dawn is selling kisses, Neil is disco-dancing and Tim is hiding Gareth's possessions for charity. Brent is eagerly awaiting a photo opportunity from the local paper, but storm clouds are headed his way. And Tim gets a free kiss.

Episode Six

Facing redundancy, Brent is approaching the end of his time at Wernham Hogg with a smile that fools absolutely no one and the increasing realization that no one is particularly bothered that he's leaving. Dawn is leaving to go to America with Lee, and Tim is torn between the two women in his life. And — perhaps worst of all — Gareth has been promoted.

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Christmas Specials

While Gervais and Merchant said there will be no further series, they did write two additional 45-minute episodes, which first aired in the United Kingdom on BBC One on Boxing Day and 27 December, 2003.

Episode One

It's Christmas time and we meet up with the Wernham Hogg team two years after the documentary that made them famous. David is now a travelling salesman, who following a failed cover version of "If You Don't Know Me By Now" (which didn't even make the Top 100), leeches off what little fame he has in a series of demeaning late-night appearances alongside a crowd of Z-list Big Brother rejects and very minor celebrities. Dawn is in Florida, trapped in a miserable existence with Lee, who is bouncing from job to job as they live with his sister rent-free (and hidden from the immigration authorities). Gareth is now the general manager (although he still gets as little respect as ever) and Tim is still trapped in a job he hates with an obnoxious, pregnant deskmate he loathes just as equally. But the Christmas party is coming up...

Episode Two

David is searching online for a date to the Christmas party. His first three matches are complete disasters. His fourth one, surprisingly, isn't. Dawn is back for the Christmas party with Lee, and her friendship with Tim is still as strong as ever — and her feelings for him possibly even more so. Will Tim and Dawn end up together? Will David screw up a promising relationship? Will someone finally tell Finchy where to go? And — possibly most important of all — will Gareth finally realise what an utter prat he is?

Awards

In January 2004, The Office won the Golden Globe Award for "Best Television Series: Musical Or Comedy", beating nominees Arrested Development, Monk, Sex and the City and Will & Grace. It was the only British comedy to be nominated for a Golden Globe in 25 years, and the first to ever win one. Ricky Gervais was also awarded the Golden Globe for "Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy" for his role.

The series won the Best TV Comedy award, and Gervais the Best TV Comedy Actor award, at the British Comedy Awards 2002.

In 2005, the series' concluding two-part special was nominated for two Emmys in the categories of "Outstanding Made for Television Movie" and "Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special" [1]. In February 2006, Gervais and Merchant announced that they would be returning to the series to write an episode for the third season of the American version.[2]

Cast

Main cast

• Ricky Gervais ... David Brent
• Martin Freeman ... Tim Canterbury
• Mackenzie Crook ... Gareth Keenan
• Lucy Davis ... Dawn Tinsley
• Patrick Baladi ... Neil Godwin
• Ralph Ineson ... Chris Finch
• Stirling Gallacher ... Jennifer Taylor-Clark

Minor cast

Series One & Two

• Joel Beckett ... Lee
• Ben Bradshaw ... Ben
• Nicola Cotter ... Karen Roper
• Jamie Deeks ... Jamie
• Vincent Franklin ... Rowan (training facilitator)
• Jane Lucas ... Sheila
• Ewen Macintosh ... Keith
• Emma Manton ... Emma
• Ron Merchant ... Gordon
• Alexander Perkins ... Ralph
• Phillip Pickard ... Phillip
• Peter Purves ... Himself (cameo)
• David Schaal ... Glynn

Series One only

• Sally Bretton ... Donna
• Oliver Chris ... Ricky Howard
• Angela Clerkin ... Jackie
• Yvonne D'Alpra ... Joan
• Robin Hooper ... Malcolm

Series Two only

• Julie Fernandez ... Brenda
• Tom Goodman-Hill ... Ray
• Jennifer Hennessy ... Jude
• Matthew Holness ... Simon (the computer geek)
• Rachel Isaac ... Trudy
• Stephen Merchant ... Oggie
• Tony MacMurray ... Tony
• Stacey Roca ... Rachel
• Howard Saddler ... Oliver

See also

• Quotes from The Office (UK) on Wikiquotes
• Slough Trading Estate

External links

• Ricky Gervais' Website
• Template:Imdb title
• Official BBC Website
• British Sitcom Guide
• British Film Institute Screen Online
• The World of The Office Unofficial fan site including an active forum.