Ricky Gervais destroying legacy of 'The Office' with 'Brent's Back'

MakeEmLaugh

Is anyone else as annoyed about this as I am? Yes, I know, it is silly being annoyed over a television programme when there are so much worse things going on in the world, but still, good art is one of the few sanctuaries for those weathering the storm of a recession.

The Office is the finest thing that has ever been on British television, in my opinion. Gaspingly funny, heartfelt, intelligent, groundbreaking and poignant, I cherish it so much I almost never re-watch it. One of the most beautiful things about its finale in 2003 was the ambiguity. We weren't sure what was going to the character of David Brent, whom we had come to care about, despite his many flaws, but it was left open to interpretation.

Now Ricky Gervais looks set to destroy that with this special for Comic Relief. For shame. Here he is reprising the character, so that we discover how his life fared out. Personally, I did not want to know.

What's more, Gervais said, back in 2004, that "There's not even a part of me that thinks, 'I wonder if we could do another one'. We just mustn't!"

Why is he, now, going back on his word?

And yes, I am aware he reprised the role for a couple of brief cameos in the American Office, and I wasn't crazy about them either, but this is a step too far.

El Horseboxo

Don't get your 'how dare he' attitude. It's his creation to do whatever the hell he wants with it. Don't watch it if you want to leave it at how he previously ended it. People's opinions change. It wasn't a blood pact he made with you that he wouldn't reprise the character again.

debabyjesus

don't watch it?

Burkatron

Yeah, the shame of doing something for charity! :rolleyes:

lahalane

Yeah, let's all slag it before we even have a look at it...

im invisible

is this the one where he playes himself?

Tipsy McSwagger

Burkatron wrote: »

Yeah, the shame of doing something for charity! :rolleyes:

He's doing it for his own ego just like those celebrity knobs who walk up a hill and don't shut up about it for years.

I_smell_fear

im invisible wrote: »

is this the one where he playes himself?

Let's just say he plays that character "very naturally".

Nah, fúck it, he's a cúnt! (excuse my Gaeilge)

Columbia

Tipsy McSwagger wrote: »

He's doing it for his own ego just like those celebrity knobs who walk up a hill and don't shut up about it for years.

I'd still rather someone do charity for selfish purposes than not do it at all.

It might be good, but if it's not it won't ruin The Office for me

adox

I like Gervais.

NIMAN

2 suggestions.

1) Don't watch it so you will always have your own memories of it.

and

2) Get out more.

dario28

MakeEmLaugh wrote: »

I cherish it so much I almost never re-watch it.

Seriously ?

Happyman42

This is what happens when the world doesn't pay enough attention to the further adventures of possibly the most annoying and self satisfied comedic 'geinus' on television.

AnonoBoy

The man who created the character is reprising the character for charity and you feel he's "destroying the legacy of The Office" even though you haven't seen the bit yet?

Yup. You're taking this too seriously.

Mocha Joe

It's a Comic Relief skit, not a full-blown sequel. Relax the oul cacks there.

MakeEmLaugh

So, what did people think? I laughed a couple of times, particularly at the Trevor MacDonald line. However, I stand by my original post, that Gervais should not have made this sketch. That said, the damage to the legacy of the original Office was probably minimal.

Welsh Megaman

The line ''It's like Tinie Tempah recording a duet with Piers Morgan'' made me laugh. No real harm done though, if that was the last we see of Brent.

Basq

Welsh Megaman wrote: »

No real harm done though, if that was the last we see of Brent.

Didn't enjoy it unfortunately..

.. and don't think it's the last we'll see of him either. He's creating exclusive content as Brent for YouTube.

ricero

classic Brent brilliance

Skid X

It was alright, I can't see anyone anxiously awaiting more Brent material. Still, if Gervais wants to do more that's up to him. Blackadder Back and Forth was pants but that does make me think any less of the original four BBC Blackadder Series.

Things have moved on since The Office. I kept hoping Karl Pilkington would make an appearance.