RI K CY R I C K Y G E R VA I S
Words Paul Watson / Photographs Ray Burmiston
Can you believe it’s been 15 years since The Office first hit our [analogue] TV sets? Me neither. That also means for the last 15 years, scores of pub locals have had to endure my mates and I offering endless ‘Brentisms’ over
gallons of lager (well, real ale these days). I cringe at the thought. But ultimately, it proves that David Brent has
not only stood the test of time, he’s been the comedy hero of a generation. Now he’s back. Once a paper merchant office worker, now a tampon rep turned rock star, he has his own hit record and movie, and is selling out UK
theatres quicker than Oasis did in their Britpop heyday. Yes, this is actually happening. How, might you ask, has Ricky Gervais pulled this one off? Good timing, and some great songwriting. Fact.