BBC America sitcom skewers the workplace

The BBC America cable channel is running episodes of The Office, an incredibly funny and sly British sitcom about the workplace. The series, based at a paper wholesaler in Slough, England, is filmed in faux-documentary style (think Spinal Tap).

The show centers on boss David Brent, a cringe-inducing narcissist who labors under the illusion that his employees love him. A brutal parody of a middle manager, Brent constantly spouts empty office jargon like "run it up the flagpole" and interrupts what little work actually takes place under the false impression he livens up the job's soul-destroying tedium. He combines a hilarious lack of self-knowledge with inappropriately expressed sexuality -- in one episode, he re-enacted his testicular self-examination in the break room for Dawn, his deeply mortified receptionist.

This Australian review does a good job of explaining the show, which features one of the most brilliant comedic performances I've ever seen on television -- Ricky Gervais' portrayal of David Brent.

2003/04/07 · 2 COMMENTS · Link

Comments

I caught an episode of this the other night and loved it! What time does it come on? or, better yet, is there somewhere to get the entire series on DVD yet? It takes the "Officespace" concept to an entirely different level.

#1 · Anthony · 2003/04/08

I think it airs for the first time each week on Thursday evenings at 10 or 10:20 p.m. Eastern time.

#2 · Rogers Cadenhead · 2003/04/08