Happy 10th birthday to The Office

The Office

2001 - 2011

"Like everyone else in the world today, I used to be a bit of a comedy critic. I'd watch the telly saying '" I could do better than that." The thing is, you can only say that a certain number of times before you have to prove it. Or shut the £$%^ up" Ricky Gervais 

 

• 'The Office' started life in 1997 as a sketch Ricky Gervais wrote called 'Seedy Boss'. He named that boss David Brent. 

• The programme first aired on July 9th 2001 on BBC Two. 

• 'The Office' is the most successful British sitcom of all time. 

• Due to overseas sales, DVDs and now syndication 'The Office', has grossed an estimated £370 million worldwide.  

• It is shown in 170 territories, in 88 countries. It has been remade in 8:

US, France, Canada, Germany, Israel, Chile, Sweden and Russia.  

• It was the first British Sitcom to win a Golden Globe. The second was 'Extras'. They are still the only two. 

• 'The Office' has helped make Ricky Britain's most successful comedian, and the only one to appear in Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People In The World List.

Trivia 

• The first scene ever written was the one where Brent interviews Karen Roper for the job of PA in episode 5.

• The first demo tape of the office was shot in the real office where Ricky used to work.

• Many of the people in the background actually worked there. 

• Apart from Ricky And Steve, only one other actor has appeared in both 'The Office' and 'Extras' - Steve Brodie. 

• Originally Martin Freeman auditioned for the part of Gareth. Ricky first met Martin when he helped write the series 'Bruiser', which Martin starred in. He met Mackenzie Crook when they worked together on 'The 11 O'clock Show'. 

• The record number of takes for one scene is 74. It's the one where Brent gives Tim an appraisal.

• In Canada the main character was called David Gervais (combination of David Brent and Ricky Gervais)

• In the French version (Le Bureau) the stapler in jelly becomes a stapler in cheese.

Here are just some of the nice things newspapers and industry types have said about 'The Office', and as many of the awards we could find propping up unread novels, in Ricky's spare room. 

"Beautifully observed ... the freshest and most consistently clever comedy in years"Independent on Sunday 

"It's the best comedy on television..."New York Times 

"The Office is just the greatest programme I have ever seen"Richard Curtis (Blackadder, Four Weddings and Funeral, Notting Hill) 

"As television shows go this thing is just about perfect. You're never gonna get a show closer to perfection than this show The Office."David Letterman 

"... The best show on the air right now."Moby 

"I live and breathe The Office. That show makes Arrested Development look like Full House." Jason Bateman (Arrested Development)  

"... About as humorous as it gets."Vanity Fair

Awards

BAFTA 2001, 2002, 2003 - 6 in total 
 
Golden Globes 2003 - Outstanding Production - Comedy SeriesActor In A Leading Role - Comedy Series 
 
Peabody Awards 2003 - For refreshing writing, understated performance, and unparalleled comic brilliance, The Office receives a Peabody Award. 
 
Banff Television Festival 2003 - Best Comedy 
 
British Comedy Awards 2001, 2002, 2003

Royal Television Society Awards - 3 in total 

South Bank Show Awards 2001 

GQ Comedian Of The Year 2002 

Variety Club Of Great Britain - Individual Comedy Award 

TV and Radio Industry Award 

Broadcast Award 2003