Leave It, Ricky: What Did You Think of The Office's Scranton/Slough Crossover?

I'm of two minds about last night's crossover cold open on NBC's The Office ("The Seminar"), which, if you missed it, can be viewed in full below.

Let's be upfront about this: I'm an obsessive fan of the original UK Office, so the chance to see Ricky Gervais don David Brent's goatee was absolutely priceless, but I've also given up watching the US version for a while now as, in the last few seasons, it's descended into a bit of a tired and humorless mess.

Having said that, I thought that the chance encounter between Steve Carell's Michael Scott and Gervais' David Brent was a bit of a hoot at first, and easily the funniest cold open The Office has pulled off in quite some time (from what I remember of the last few seasons I watched).

Seeing the simpatico spirit that exists between the two men, each versions of each other, was unexpectedly touching, even as the two joked around and David asked if there were any jobs going around at Dunder-Mifflin.

Was it wonderful to see David Brent up to his old tricks, telling vaguely offensive jokes, giggling naughtily, and waxing philosophically about the nature of comedy "tickling the mind"? Absolutely. But there was also something oddly troubling about the sequence as well, something that got under my skin last night.

Could it be the fact that Gervais himself spoke out against appearing on-screen on the American version just a few years back, decrying it as potentially "desperate"? Or could it be the fact that the encounter seemed to establish that the events of The Office, unfolding in Slough and Scranton, are in fact taking place within the same narrative "universe"?

It's true that, over the last few seasons, these two characters have gone in wildly divergent directions in terms of their outlook and behavior while still retaining a bit of the same shared blueprint at their core. I think that Brent would have skewered Scott alive had the two had to spend more than a few minutes together; Gervais' boss is inherently a terrible, awful individual, while Michael is more of a bumbling idiot who fails to read social cues and offends because he's in search of the perfect punchline, a quest to achieve acceptance and (in his mind) fame.

But the fact that we're now meant to believe that these two paper merchant bosses and their similar staffs are in fact co-existing got under my skin in a way that the showrunners clearly did not intend. (Am I alone in this thinking?)

With Steve Carell set to leave The Office at the end of the season, it seemed likely that Gervais would make a drop-in on the show before Michael Scott heads to the paper warehouse in the sky (or, well, wherever Michael is heading next) and while I spent those few minutes chuckling, it wasn't enough to keep me from turning over once the credit sequence began. These days, the Office I most want to visit is Wernham Hogg, if I'm being honest.

But I am curious to know what you thought of the encounter between Gervais and Carell last night: was it a stroke of brilliance or a desperate ploy? Head to the comments section to discuss.

Channel Surfing: "Chuck" Tops Save Our Shows Poll, Adult Swim Hires UK "Office," Shonda Rhimes Talks Denny, "Grey's Anatomy," and More

Welcome to your Thursday morning television briefing.

Not unsurprisingly, NBC's Chuck has topped USA Today's Save Our Show poll, scoring 54 percent of the 43,000 viewers who cast their votes in the ten-day online poll. The Warner Bros Television-produced series scored the top spot overall as well and was the most favored choice among men, teens and twenty-somethings, thirty-somethings, forty-somethings, whites, Asians, Hispanics, Westerners, Southerners, Northeasterners, and Midwesterners and the fourth favored choice among women as well. (If that's not cross-cultural appeal, I don't know what is.) (USA Today)

Adult Swim has acquired rights to the original UK series The Office, starring Ricky Gervais, from BBC Worldwide and will air both seasons as well as the Christmas special (which marked the series finale) this summer. Move marks the second deal between Adult Swim and BBC Worldwide, which previously sold rights to comedy The Mighty Boosh to the cabler, which launched the series on March 29th. (via press release)

As production on ABC's Grey's Anatomy approaches the 100th episode, creator Shonda Rhimes talks to USA Today's Bill Keveney about the ABC drama, Denny, spin-off Private Practice, and her new pilot Inside the Box. "We're heading on a journey," said Rhimes about Grey's Anatomy's use of Izzie's dead lover Denny. "[Viewers] are in the middle and don't have a map, so they can feel lost. But I know where we're going. For me, it's about looking at the larger picture. [...] What I thought was interesting was that anybody who knew anything about our show would think we had a ghost on our show. In the world in which our show operates, there is a way things happen, and clearly we don't do ghosts." (USA Today)

Disney has announced that it has joined NBC Universal and News Corp as a joint venture partner and equity owner of Hulu. Under the deal, Hulu will now be able to offer full-length episodes of current and library titles from Disney such as Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, Private Practice, and Scrubs, among many others. "From our landmark iTunes deal to our pioneering decision to stream ad-supported shows on our ABC.com player, Disney has sought to meet the constantly evolving viewing habits of our consumers, and today's Hulu announcement is the next important step in that ongoing journey," said Robert Iger, President/CEO of The Walt Disney Co. (Hollywood Reporter)

Jon Gosselin, star of TLC's reality series Jon & Kate Plus 8 has issued a statement to Entertainment Weekly after US Weekly published a photo of him leaving a club at 2 am with a female friend. "Like most people, I have male and female friends and I'm not going to end my friendships just because I'm on TV," said Gosselin in an exclusive statement. "However, being out...late at night showed poor judgment on my part. What makes me sick is that my careless behavior has put my family in this uncomfortable position. My family is the most important thing in my life and it kills me that these allegations have hurt them." (Entertainment Weekly's Hollywood Insider)

ABC Family has officially cancelled freshman comedy Roommates. The writing was on the wall when the basic cabler opted to burn off the final eight episodes of the series over two consecutive Monday evenings, with the final four episodes to air in a two-hour block this coming Monday night. (Hollywood Reporter)

Entertainment Weekly's Marc Bernardin wonders why viewers seemingly don't want science fiction on television anymore, with most recent sci fi series--Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Dollhouse, Chuck, Life on Mars, and Pushing Daisies--either canceled or on the bubble for next year. "Have we, as a society," writes Bernardin, "just become too -- gulp -- stupid for science fiction?" (Entertainment Weekly's PopWatch)

NBC has renewed reality series Celebrity Apprentice for another season and plans to air the next cycle in spring 2010. "It's a valuable franchise and proven competitor," said NBC Universal's alternative topper Paul Telegdy. [Editor: meanwhile, there's still no news of a possible Chuck renewal. Sigh.] (Variety)

TNT will expand its original programming to three nights a week this summer, with Mondays playing host to The Closer and Raising the Bar beginning June 8th, Tuesdays the home of Wedding Day, HawthoRNe, and Saving Grace beginning June 16th, and Wednesdays the berth for Leverage and Dark Blue starting July 15th. (Futon Critic)

IFC has announced a slew of new programming for the 2009-10 season, including Chris Kattan-led three-part comedy Bollywood Hero, airing August 6-8th, Food Party, launching June 9th, which features a "surreal mixture of puppets, weird special effects and cooking hosted by [Tru] Tran," six-part series Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer's Cut), which features interviews with the surviving members of the comedy troupe, telefilm Laurel K. Hamilton's Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter, which will debut in 2010, and Dinner with the Band. The cabler also announced that it has acquired BBC comedy series Ideal and Wrong Door and Canadian series The Jon Dore Television Show and renewed Z-Roc and The Whitest Kids U Know. (Hollywood Reporter)

Discovery and Hasbo have closed a deal for a joint venture that will encompass a television network and a website which are dedicated to family-based entertainment. Discovery will receive $300 million for the entertainment assets of its Discovery Kids Network in the US which will be rebranded next year and will feature series from Discovery's library of educational programming as well as series based on Hasbro properties including G.I. Joe, Transformers, Romper Room, Trival Pursuit, Cranium, and My Little Pony. (Hollywood Reporter)

Reveille has announced that it has teamed up with publisher Rodale to develop a reality series based on David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding's best-selling non-fiction book "Eat This, Not That!" (via press release)

Nikki Finke is reporting that, in light of the recent approved merger between William Morris Agency and Endeavor, that the majority of the TV reality department, including Mark Itkin, John Ferriter, and Colin Reno, have decided to leave and set up camp at CAA while talent agent Dana Simms asked to be released from her contract. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

CMT has picked up musical series The Singing Bee, which aired its first season on NBC last year, and will launch the series' second season on June 16th. So far the series, which is produced by Gurin Co. and Juma Entertainment, has no host but the producers say that they are close to closing a deal on that front. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

"Is He Having a Laugh?": Ricky Gervais to End "Extras"

It had to happen sooner or later. Despite the fact that I've enjoyed every single second of Extras, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's follow up to The Office, I've always known that like its predecessor, this would not be a long running show.

The Office lasted 12 episodes and was wrapped up with a two-part special that tied up all of its loose ends, particularly the romance between Tim and Dawn. So I was curious to see what would happen if Gervais and Merchant actually created a third season of a show. But at the same time I knew the likelihood of Extras coming back for a third season (and outliving, as it were, The Office) was slim to none.

Sadly, we'll never know what a long-running Gervais and Merchant comedy would look like. The writing/producing/starring twosome have opted not to continue Extras, after all. Like The Office, the series will end with a special.

That special, unfortunately, doesn't have a date or casting in place. A spokesperson for the BBC added that the idea for the Extras conclusion was still in the early planning stages. However, Gervais and Merchant "will, at some point, sit down together and write it," she said. (Er, yeah.)

Personally, I think it's sad that the story of Andy, Maggie, and Darren is coming to a close so soon, just when the series really hit its stride in Season Two, with the arrival of When the Whistle Blows' wig, glasses, and catchphrase and some brilliant comedic gems from Ashley Jensen's Maggie and Stephen Merchant's Darren.

Here's to the memories, my friends.

British "Office" Workers to Cross the Pond

Some Wernham-Hogg employees might just be temping for Dunder-Mifflin next season.

The New York Post is reporting today that cast members from the UK version of The Office may be crossing the pond to appear in the homegrown US version, which stars Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, and Jenna Fischer.

Or at least that's what the series' executive producer Ben Silverman is telling the NY Post:

"Ben Silverman, the executive producer of the hit NBC comedy, says that there will be something of a cross-over episode of The Office, with some of the cast from the U.K. edition making an appearance at the dreary factory in Scranton, Pa., where the U.S. version takes place.

'There's a lot of love between [the casts and crews] of the two versions of the show,' Silverman told The Post, declining to reveal plot details of the upcoming episode so as not to spoil it for fans.

'Expect some cameos from the U.K. paper company,' says Silverman."

However, Silverman didn't clarify whether the UK Office mates will be reprising their original characters or playing new roles in the American series.

Additionally, the cameos will not include Office creator Ricky Gervais, who is currently writing a different episode of the US version for next season. While Gervais is open to appearing on the show, Silverman says that a Gervais guest appearance will not occur for some time. "We're going to save the big man for now," Silverman told the NY Post.

While I'd love to see David Brent take on Michael Scott, I'm even more intrigued by the notion of Jim and Pam bumping into Tim and Dawn... or a to-the-death-brawl between Dwight and Gareth. Now, that's good television.

David Brent to Embarrass Himself on the Big Screen?

British television icons David Brent and Vicky Pollard might be heading to the big screen, courtesy of the BBC.

The Hollywood Reporter has filed a report from London indicating that the BBC is considering several of its hit comedies for feature film adaptations, including the original UK version of The Office, Little Britain, and Extras.

"Many of the comedy talents we work with ultimately want to paint on a bigger canvas," said Kenton Allen, BBC's head of comedy talent, "and this relationship with BBC Films means that we can now offer them that opportunity."

The films would be produced through a unique collaboration between in-house feature film division BBC Films and the comedy department of the BBC. The idea comes at a time when BBC Films is looking to increase its slate of comedy projects. Additionally, the team will work with writers and performers to develop new feature film concepts. BBC Films previously released comedy features Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story and Confetti and hopes to focus more on this genre.

While no deals are currently in place to bring the exploits of The Office's Wernham-Hogg staff or Little Britain's deranged denizens to the big screen, I'm excited by the sheer possibility of seeing David Brent erupt into a spontaneous dance sequence on a 15-foot screen.

David Brent: "Loser"

While I'm off enjoying a glorious (if infernally hot) Fourth of July weekend, some of you unlucky office worker types might be stuck inside. To that end, here's a little something to perk up your Monday morning: namely a video montage of The Office's David Brent (Ricky Gervais), set to Beck's classic tune, "Loser."



I think it speaks for itself.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: The King of Queens/How I Met Your Mother (CBS); Treasure Hunters (NBC); 7th Heaven (WB); Wife Swap (ABC); Mr. Deeds (FOX; 8-10 pm); Major League Baseball (UPN)

9 pm: Two and a Half Men/The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS); Treasure Hunters (NBC); 7th Heaven (WB); Supernanny (ABC)

10 pm: CSI: Miami (CBS); Medium (NBC); How to Get the Guy (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Spaced on BBC America.

If you missed Friday's Stateside airing of the hilarious and surreal 1999 sitcom Spaced (starring Shaun of the Dead's Simon Pegg), here's your chance to catch the third episode before another episode airs Friday. On tonight's episode ("Art"), Daisy's world is turned upside down when she goes on a job interview.

8:30 pm: Peep Show on BBC America.

A second chance to catch the second season premiere before a new episode on Friday. On tonight's episode, Mark believes that true love means hacking into would-be lover Sophie's email account, while Jeremy deals with an American girlfriend (guest star Rachel Blanchard) with a fetish for breaking taboos.

10 pm: Anthony Bourdain: Decoding Ferran Adria on the Travel Channel.

While No Reservations might be in repeats, here's a chance to catch a brand-new special with that sarcastic celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain, as he visits the research laboratory of chef Ferran Adria, Catalan gourmand, culinary innovator and a mad scientist rolled into one. He's the type of chef who might serve up something like a "frozen gin with hot lemon fizz," "soft-boiled quail egg with a crispy caramel crust," or "almond ice cream on a swirl of garlic oil and balsamic vinegar." Yum.

The Scandalous 1980s Musical Past of Ricky Gervais Caught on Tape

It's pretty rare that I am actually speechless.

I don't know what to say after watching this clip of The Office's Ricky Gervais' appearance on UK talk show Room 101. Let me put it this way: our very own David Brent (that would be Gervais, natch) was in a band called Seona Dancing and filmed this 1984 music video for their song "Bitter Heart." Watch it and you'll catch a seriously baby-faced Gervais and a rare glimpse of genius. Or at least of 1980s- inspired madness.



It's no "Free Love on the Freelove Highway" but just... wow. Seriously, wow. (Special thanks to Televisionary reader Whitney for bringing this rare gem to my attention.)

Gareth Keenan Investigates!: Gervais to Revisit "The Office"?

According to reports in the British tabloid The Daily Star, Ricky Gervais is considering making new episodes of the original UK version of The Office, despite his statement that the beloved series had run its course.

According to the paper's source, said to be close to Gervais and co-writer Stephen Merchant, the cause of the renewed interest is NBC's veddy American version of The Office: "Stephen and Ricky have been getting sent the scripts of the US version of the show – which is now in its third series – and falling about laughing. They’re encouraged to edit the scripts but can’t find fault with them. "

If the above is believed to be true (and given the source, it's rather likely to not be true), then Gervais and Merchant are considering writing new material for a possible return to The Office. No comment from Gervais or Merchant yet, but it's only a matter of time before the rumor is confirmed... or denied. (Where's Gareth when you need him?)

Two brilliant versions of The Office for the price of one? If it happens, that will be my lucky day... Stay tuned, Wernham-Hogg fans.

Wernham-Hogg, meet Dunder-Mifflin

The Office.

I was one of those people who saw NBC's attempt to create an American version of The Office as sacrilige. I had watched (and worshipped) the original British version for years. I owned the DVDs, the scripts, and downloaded Ricky Gervais' hilarious podcast weekly. Hell, I had tearsheets of David Brent postering my workspace (along with Arrested Development, but that's a story for another time). And when I heard last year that NBC was going to remake the show for an American audience, I bitched and moaned to anyone that would listen. After the train wreck that was Coupling, I doubted that they could pull it out of the bag.

When I got an advance copy of the show's pilot, which stuck to the same exact script as the British version's pilot (with diastrous results), my fears were realized. Nearly every line of dialogue and every pained reaction shot was copied from the original so that the end result felt rather akin to seeing a beloved play performed by a dinner theatre troupe, far far away from anything resembling an actual theatre.

And then a funny thing happened. I actually began to love the damn show.

The humor in Gervais' and Merchant's Office was derived from the depressing reality of the mundanities and mindlessness of office life, while the American version deftly mines the absurdity and hubris of the same situation (and in particular, Carell's Michael Scott) to imbue the show with added dimensions. The show instantly took a turn for the altogether better when it stopped cribbing from the original British scripts by Gervais and Stephen Merchant after the pilot.

And instead of just recycling the plots of the original, the American Office came up with their own situations and peopled their paper company with some of the most fantastic supporting characters around: Nazi-like head of accounting Angela, boozy Meredith, dour Stanley, not-altogether-there Creed, socially awkward Kevin, likeable Oscar, ever-loquatious Kelly, timid Phyllis. Jim and Pam, while they certainly can't totally replace Tim and Dawn in my heart, certainly get closer and closer with each passing episode.

I can say with complete honesty (and utmost humility) that the second season of the American Office places it firmly in the pantheon of great television comedies. While the U.S. show began to hit its stride by episode 3, where Michael leaves Dwight to pick out a health care plan for Dunder Mifflin's employees, this season has been--dare I say it?--brilliant. Particular stand-outs were the Michael Scott/Jan Levinson-Gould romance, the office olympics, the doomed booze cruise, with the particular highlight so far being "The Injury," where Michael burns his foot on a George Foreman Grill and wreaks havoc with all of the employees. No matter how many times I watch that episode, I can't help but crack up from start to finish.

And somehow, I think that's okay. I think I can find it in my heart to love the employees of two regional branch offices of paper manufacturers. David Brent would understand.

The Office currently airs Thursday evenings at 9:30 pm PST on NBC.