Ricky Gervais Rarely Watched American Version of ‘The Office’

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, ABC, The Office, Features,

Ricky Gervais isn't emotionally attached to the American version of The Office.

The 51-year-old British comedian - who created the original BBC series - admits he has only watched the NBC version, starring Steve Carell, a few times and is only a fan because it has made him more money than any of his other TV shows. "I don't think I've seen much of it. It wasn't my baby. It was my rights, so I cashed the checks. I think it was good, but I didn't have the same emotional attachment to it. I [have made] more [money] than anything else probably I've ever done. It's the gift that keeps on giving, syndication," he told the June issue of GQ magazine.

Ricky insists he is not worried about the lukewarm response his new show Derek has received from his fans: "I don't worry about it at all. I think I'm pretty self-aware. I think I know what I'm doing. You know when you've been a prat, you know when you're being a prat, you know when something sounds pretentious. They mean they don't like Derek as much as Extras? Science as much as Animals [two of his stand-up specials]? They mean they don't like me. That's what they mean. So they're trying to justify their dislike in a critical response."

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VIDEO: See Ricky Gervais’ Cameo on The Office

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, NBC, The Office, Video,

There's only one other person who could probably appreciate Michael Scott's humor as much as Holly Flax does -- and that's his UK counterpart David Brent.

On last night's episode of The Office, Ricky Gervais -- the star and the co-creator of the British version -- made his first appearance in Dunder Mifflin territory.

Although Gervais' run-in with Steve Carell was hilarious (as expected), his brief cameo had us dreaming of Brent/Scott partnership. Oh, the possibilities ...

I guess Will Ferrell-lead office will just have to suffice.

Read More | The Hollywood Reporter

Ricky Gervais to Appear on NBC’s The Office

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, NBC, The Office,

Ricky Gervais might not be interested in hosting the Golden Globes again, but that doesn't mean he's done with NBC.

Gervais, who co-created the British version of The Office is finally going to make a cameo on American version. He will show up as David Brent, the role he played in the UK series.

Although it's unclear what role Ricky will play in the episode, we do know that he will come face-to-face with Dunder Mifflin's Michael Scott. (Will Brent's arrival have anything to do with Steve Carell's early departure?)

Ricky, the executive producer of the NBC comedy, will appear on January 27.

Read More | TV Line

Will Ricky Gervais Start Working in The Office?

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Comedy, Prime Time, NBC, The Office, Gossip, Video,

Steve Carell’s character Michael Scott will be leaving The Office, but producers are already eyeballing a new funnyman to take his place.

According to rumors, Ricky Gervais may soon join the ranks of the NBC sitcom. Gervais played David Brent in the original UK version of The Office.

Executive producer Paul Lieberstein dished on some of the details: “We talked about it today for a while. It’s not the leading idea…it’s not a dead idea.” Of course, there might be some story issues. “[Brent] was fired for incompetence, so we’d have to create some back story for what happened.”

Time for the writers to get to work!

Read More | Perez Hilton

Unauthorized Microsoft Training Videos Feature Brit “Office”

Posted by Wendy Michaels Categories: Comedy, BBC, The Office, Internet,

As many videos that are never meant for public consumption find their way on the Internet, so too have a couple of Microsoft in-house training videos from The Office creator Ricky Gervais leaked online. Both Google Video and YouTube included the videos in their lineup, but the films were meant only for Microsoft employee’s eyes. Microsoft commissioned the videos in 2004, to provide “a light-hearted way of getting our staff to think about the values they attach to working at Microsoft,” according to a company spokeswoman. Both videos run about 20 minutes and feature Gervais and co-writer Stephen Merchant, with Gervais playing his annoying Office character David Brent and Merchant acting as a Microsoft employee.

YouTube has since pulled the videos, however Google Video still has them up. I checked them out and they are really great—especially if you miss the original Office humor and the way Gervais plays his character to the most annoying level, with gobs of arrogance and self-confidence. I’ve always found his character to be almost painful to watch because of the level of embarrassment you feel for him—all the while he’s clueless that he’s being inappropriate. It’s complete genius.

According to the company’s spokeswoman, “These videos were produced for internal use and were never intended to be viewed by the public. We are actively working to investigate how and why they have appeared now.”

If you don’t have time to watch the full videos, just check out the last few minutes of each. Following the end credits, some of the outtakes have been included—there is nothing more infectious than Ricky Gervais laughing. Enjoy.

Read More | Yahoo! News