It was a sitcom. There was no suggestion that the actors were involved in a documentary.

is Grand Theft Auto IV. His appearance as a stand up comedian in that game is going to really get his name out there. Gervais isn't a name I'd wager most people were familiar with but they are now. His career exposure is about to explode.

I had to find a hack to change the regional setting on my dvd player so I could have The Office shipped to me from the UK.

If I could ask him one question, I would ask him if he was at all influenced by the work of Tony Hancock, a brit comic who worked in the 50s and 60s. I see a bit of Hancock in Gervais' work. Alas, Tony Hancock took his own life in 1968.

Otherwise it might easily end up as Fun with Dick and Jane II. And I would hate for Ricky (professional couple only) Gervais to end up in yet another Hollywood poorly written, unfunny, insult to our intelligence, crafted for 10-year-olds / farmers, unwatchable love guru dreck, especially as his first starring role in an American movie.

"But even before she can get her knickers on I've seen everything, I've seen it all."

Fried Gold.

Why Ricky Gervais could possibly think he is a comic whiz is beyond imagination. The Office is one of many most boring shows on TV. There is a trashbag full of would-be comics: Steve Cotrell, Adam Sandler, Will Farrel, Kevin James, etc., etc., etc. What is funny? No wonder fewer and fewer people watch TV.

I think the answer is that their "humor" is directed to an audience of idiots and teenagers who, what with their electronic problem solvers, can only understand such shows. Alas, they all suffer from a lack of education.

Give me the days of The Carol Burnett Show, The Honeymooners, the OLD SNL, Laugh-In. Punch lines were visual or subtle--the audience had to be alert and intelligent enough to catch them.

Ah, for the good old days. I feel sorry for today's kids who lack imagination and intelligence.

Kasha - you are crazy and obviously have not seen "Extras"

Ricky G. is a comic genius. The David Bowie piano moment was funny as hell and it is second only to what has to be about the funniest 7 seconds or so I have ever seen on any show....and that was when Ricky G. was at the church gathering wearing a white suit, trying to impress this girl, and lying to a priest about being a Catholic.

OMG, if you haven't seen this...it's freakin' hilarious.

I made the mistake of watching this episode at work and was at my desk crying laughing. It was the funniest moment of a show I have probably ever seen.

The man has got talent. I hope he successfully makes the crossover into American film & comedy industry.

is nearly as obnoxious as Follman's dated suggestion that San Fran and NY, lazy writers' go-to substitutes for 'sophisticated people', really appreciate and understand the British 'Office'. In fact, they're the only ones who are aware the British 'Office' exists! They know that Gervais, Gervais is a genius; Steve Carell is a mere "funnyman" to corn country. Someone tell Follman about DVDs, Netflix, and the internet, OK? I'll be watching 'Top Gear' episodes on my portable computing machine!

Guys, Kasha6228 is obviously being sarcastic. Calling anything ever done on Carol Burnett or Laugh-In "subtle" is hilarious in and of itself.

Hollywood does not now nor will ever understand that quirkiness of British humor. While Monty Python, Mr. Bean, Absolutely Fabulous and Gervais' The Office all have their fans, Hollywood "comedy" movies will probably suck the soul out of him.

The same it pretty much true for British drama - too subtle and "realistic." "Why do all those actors look so normal?"

'The Office' was so good because Gervais and Merchant had several years to work on it and refine it. It became popular so he had to follow it up quickly, and the result was 'Extras', mildly funny in places. Everything else he has tried has been pretty poor, and I am dubious that he really has the comic breadth and vision to create any more successes.

Initially the article referred to "The Office" and "Extras" together as mockumentary TV series; while "The Office" is a mockumentary, "Extras" generally is considered to be a sitcom (if one that uses the meta device of peering behind the scenes on the set of a fictional TV show). The article has been fixed, and thanks to reader 'cungar' for pointing out the oversight.