Brent is the creation of British comedian Ricky Gervais and The Office co-writer Stephen Merchant. When the series first appeared on our TV screens 16 years ago, people unfamiliar with stand-up comic Gervais were left wondering if it was a genuine fly-on-the-wall documentary.
Brent (played by Gervais) thinks he's a loveable, funny and popular boss, who's thrilled when Wernham Hogg becomes the subject of a TV documentary. As he plays to the camera, he has no idea his workmates perceive him as irritating, immature, selfish and rude, with insensitivity that knows no bounds.
As he bumbles through each day, the sitcom follows the chaotic and always hilarious antics taking place in Wernham Hogg, mainly thanks to Brent's appalling management skills. His mishmash bunch of colleagues all have their own little quirks, such as sales rep Tim Canterbury (Martin Freeman), who's popular at work but at the age of 30 still lives with mum and dad and believes his job to be pointless.
Receptionist Dawn Tinsley (Lucy Davis) is Brent's dogsbody, who has to put up with his sad attempts at humour and pretend to be amused. Then there's Tim’s desk mate Gareth Keenan (Mackenzie Crook), who is humourless and pretentious little man who's obsessed with serving in the Territorial Army and is proud of being team leader at Wernham Hogg, not realising his title is meaningless - as no one has any respect whatsoever for him.
Brent's famous quotes are legendary: those little pearls of wisdom that he imparts to his staff. Most are downright embarrassing, as he tells them, "You’ll never have another boss like me - a chilled-out entertainer." Sadly, he genuinely believes he's the persona created in his own head: "People see me and see the suit but they know I’m rock and roll through and through."
Apart from the gut-wrenching quotes, there are the legendary dances - so embarrassing that even viewers at home are squirming in their seats as he gyrates and postures in front of colleagues.
The series was sold to more than 80 countries including The Comedy Network in Canada, the Hong Kong satellite channel STAR World, ABC1 in Australia and TVNZ in New Zealand. It aired in the United States from 2009 to 2012 and spawned a US version of the show that starred Steve Carell as office manager Michael Scott - the American equivalent of David Brent - and Jenna Fischer as his long-suffering receptionist Pam Beesly. The show ran for nine series from 2005 to 2013.
Although everyone laughed at The Office and David Brent's antics, in reality, a boss like him and a disorganised office environment such as Wernham Hogg would make working life almost intolerable! Everyone needs their working day to run smoothly and a properly-organised office is a key element of an efficient business.
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