I never got into The Office first time round, I thought that Ricky Gervais was a one trick pony who couldn't even do that right.

But having watched both series back to back this weekend, it really is one of the best written 'sitcoms' of the past decade or two. Everything is right - the observation, the amazingly precise way the characters interact with each other. David Brent is very Partridgesque in a way, but unlike Alan who cannot see and understand his effect on others with his intolerance and attitude, Brent is trying desperately to be liked by everyone.

Wonderful stuff. And I managed to buy the DVDs from CEX for £2 each!

When I started watching the office I 'got it' immediately since I was a fan of the mockumentary' This is Spinal Tap. I immediately recognized the Christopher Guest influence.
When I first watched Spinal Tap, like so many others, I believed I was weatching an actual documentary about a real heavy metal band.It was only when one of the band members revealed that their drummer had choked to death on vomit....someone else's vomit, that I realized I was watching a spoof. Without Spinal Tap, there would be no Office.

great show and Extras even better...the Extras finale is brilliant.

Office actually translated well in the US version ..not as good but OK.

I preferred the US Queer As Folk..dying to see what they do with Skins.

Can't imagine what the US 'Shameless' will be like..one of my all time favourites

Nerver understood the appeal of Shameless. Northern scum portrayed as hero's of comedy?

Nigel Tufnel wrote:
When I started watching the office I 'got it' immediately since I was a fan of the mockumentary' This is Spinal Tap. I immediately recognized the Christopher Guest influence.
When I first watched Spinal Tap, like so many others, I believed I was weatching an actual documentary about a real heavy metal band.It was only when one of the band members revealed that their drummer had choked to death on vomit....someone else's vomit, that I realized I was watching a spoof. Without Spinal Tap, there would be no Office.

I couldn't agree more. Guest is a genius (and a damned sight more modest than Gervais!).

It amazed me how much of the concept of The Office & the David Brent character seems to have come from this


Shameless is gloriously OTT, but in many ways cruely accurate (though cartoonified) portrayal of life on Northern sink estates. It has bathos & pathos in equal measure

veritas wrote:
..dying to see what they do with Skins.

Ban it looks most likely !

Advertisers already threatening to pull the plug ?

www.c21media.net/resources/detail.asp?area=74&article=59137

The world has gone bonkers and I saw it coming (am I allowed to use that word?).

The great confidence trick Gervais pulled was to link his show with Fawlty Towers. 'Fawlty Towers finished after two series and it's a classic. We plan to finish after two series'. Immediately he was hailed as high minded. 'Yus My Dear' starring Arthur Mullard ended after two series. Loads of awful sitcoms ended after two series. Quite a few great sitcoms went on for many series. It's a specious argument. But some fools bought it. The Office was great, but Extras went mad after one series and still won a mass of awards. He's a great PR man.

i always treat Shamless as a issue of Viz. Wish Smashie and Nicey did a movie the Enfield sketch.

Anyone remember the sketch where they were jealous of each other awards ?