David Brent on Guitar - Free Love Freeway - The Office - BBC

[@deanlowdon8381]

This is arguably the greatest episode of any sit-com ever made.

[@liamwalters5029]

Dean Lowdon yup I’d say so !

[@psolo3]

Ricky would be pissed at you calling it a sitcom lol

[@johno4521]

Anyone who's worked for a large company and had to endure the obligatory training day will agree this is spot on.

[@lfcforever1482]

Dean Lowdon it’s a mockumentary not a sit-com. The U.S. version is a sitcom as it’s so unrealistic.

[@lfcforever1482]

@Dan S oh yeah because "that's what she said" is a common thing to be shouted in a office, yeah sure... The UK version is realistic and that's why to some people why it's not as funny, because a lot of the situations aren't as extreme due to it being realistic.

[@Alex-bf7mc]

The transition from “she’s the serpent who guards the gates of hell” to free love freeway, is unreal

[@DR-zk1yb]

It cracks me up EVERY.SINGLE.TIME

[@clundgeweep]

How does this have 666 likes😂

[@C87-q9j]

the gates of HEEEELLLLLLLL

[@kylereese2000]

I’m glad somebody else noticed this. 😂

[@averylogsdon6123]

And it’s hilarious that Gareths harmonies actually are quite nice

[@jollyroger58]

"she's dead" gets me every time 😂😂😂

[@martinsepulveda6598]

And how David immediately answers Gareth very seriously, I think it's brilliant

[@michaelblaine6494]

“It’s not gay…”🤣

[@andyreilly1126]

Shes not dead

[@FFNONNONE]

Classic. His reaction "she's not dead" - that reaction becomes part of the song too.

[@headsetstore]

😂

[@thehighburyzone311]

“He went home to get it” cracks me up every single time, comedy gold

[@daniel69]

That's what I came here for!

[@rickywinterborn1004]

So glad someone else mentioned this. Honestly my favourite line in the whole series. Tim’s deadpan, exasperate delivery is perfect.

[@naomicollimore71]

Makes the whole episode.

[@christopherbowness7341]

Been saying this quote on a regular basis now for 21 years! That and el vino did flow.

[@dfnffc]

I'm so glad other people have mentioned this. It goes under the radar with so many people but it's one of the most subtle and brilliant lines ever delivered in a sitcom

[@shaunflavour6366]

the clever thing is, the song is actually quite good. it would have been too obvious to make brent terrible at music for the comedy, but to make him "reasonably good" is funnier because adds fuel to his self belief and makes him appear more of a failure

[@alphadelta4635]

If this was the US version he would have been awful, and Gareth would have started breakdancing.

[@URMUMSCUNT]

Defiantly the shows comedy is so natural and is never forced

[@HAL-zl1lg]

+Alpha Delta I think there is a US version of this scene but I never bothered to watch it.

[@maggiesinthemud5638]

@@alphadelta4635 don't compare them they are both great shows in their own right and too different to actually compare. (This was two years ago I don't care about your opinions lads)

[@susanjewitt8783]

I like your observation. Brent is almost took good.

[@MMough]

The "who is wrong and who is right" line being a little too loud always makes me laugh

[@tootsiroll4134]

Genius. I love how he tries to sound American 😂😂

[@ritchie9709]

racial

[@ryano2232]

I think Gareth's backup singing at the end is very underappreciated in this scene

[@thirdratecontent585]

Ryano22 it’s on point.

[@zaszarathustra2258]

Well when he was unable for studio recording, they had to replace him with a guy who sold 75 million records just to get someone of a similare caliber.

[@JRohmygawd]

Tim egging him on subtlely too

[@amelialouiseJ]

YES! Mackenzie is on fire in this scene!

[@simonhunter3430]

love it

[@BackFromNowere]

One of the best British comedy scenes ever. Fave line- "She's dead" "She's not dead"

[@yusufgazi7]

2:03 After Life be like

[@JamesLimb]

"She's deaaaaaaad" (shakes his head) "She's not dead!" That's world class from Brent and Gareth

[@evvo123]

love Gareth's harmonizing

[@hamburglar8794]

Yeah, it was genuinely clever.

[@crowns9966]

I love it, I like the version they have on Spotify but I still feel Gareth made this version even better

[@HeisenbergTheFirst]

She's deeeead

[@boneybone8123]

@@crowns9966 What?! They have an album?!

[@crowns9966]

@@boneybone8123 I think the version on Spotify is from the David Brent: Life on the Road movie, if I'm not mistaken

[@moosecag34]

This guy is basically a chilled-out entertainer.

[@pommygeezer9309]

Pronounced 'Ent-er-tainer''.. yeah.

[@marwood1969]

I love the way Tim encourages Gareth to join in to ramp up the absurdity. So much brilliant detail in the scene.

[@simonsimon325]

And the body language of the guy whose had his seminar derailed makes everything else even better.

[@orgryte1]

⁠and the glance David gives the seminar guy in the last second. He knows the guy is pissed

[@Hrvo182]

God, this show was pure brilliance...

[@ghostemane3209]

Us version was great too... we're so lucky that we have 2 fucking amazing versions of a brilliant show

[@liamwalters5029]

The Evil Bassist totally mate pure class!

[@Rachulie]

jane cumberbath lies

[@DarkHallwayz]

jane cumberbath US was okay not fucking amazing

[@Gull32]

@@DarkHallwayz I prefer the UK version but the US version is a good watch if you forget about what the UK office was like

[@cam-the-bassist]

I love Gareth's backing vocals

[@mysafehome01]

Yes!

[@memoryhero]

When Tim joins in at the end, it is the only moment in the show where he and Gareth are genuinely coordinating.

[@colinw1984]

+memoryhero Tim knows that David doesn't want him joining in singing over his song, that's why he tries to make Gareth start singing by tapping on the back while David isn't looking.

[@DTog1]

@Ulysses432 And then he quit his job 2 minutes after and got rejected by dawn.

[@lukebrierley3344]

Keith clapping out of rhythm is one of those brilliant nuanced things that ricky and Steve did so well.

[@Ryan.90]

100% Keith was just brilliant...I remember someone once said, he's an example of radical self-acceptance.

[@ajc9387]

That quarter-second glance at the camera after 'she's not dead.'

[@noobfromhell563]

Davids Camera glances are gold

[@crowhillian58]

Oliver Hardy was the master of the long look into camera, Ricky Gervais is king of the quick glance.

[@dronessential]

Gareth was putting him off.

[@hounslowfinest]

This has to be my fave episode. "I think there's been a rape up there" gets me every time.

[@headslapping100]

Joseph Smith yeah I love rape

[@butternubs6043]

Congrats you turned a funny joke into a edgy comment, way to ruin it

[@thepubquiz3198]

Really came out of nowhere that line ha, was like a punch you didn't see coming

[@Harrydowney755]

It's my favourite episode

[@ChrisB-so1eh]

Get their attention!

[@alexespinoza6366]

I love how he feels the need to explain the meaning behind the lyrics (“Racial, so...) as if his lyrics are just so deep and esoteric that nobody would be able to understand them.

[@Foxxionly]

another way to look at it is for David to appeal progressive and open-minded whilst simultaneously trying to cover up the many instances of him making inappropriate jokes in the workplace.

[@genizot]

I love the way Brent strums the guitar one last time after Rowan's comment 'That's lunch' as if to give his own stamp of approval marking the end of the session. The subtlety and brilliance of the Office continues to amaze me even years later - timeless masterpiece!

[@dhauz___7855]

genizot Then he has that awkward look on his face, with his "okayyy" trailing off adjusting his tie while looking up at Rowan leaving.

[@barringtonfisher87]

The subtle bits are great. Certain things you have to really pay attention to. E.g. when Gareth is hunting for the person who put Brent in the porn pic& makes a sign for his office & spells it wrong. He spells it Gareth Keenan invetigates & Tim asks "how is the invetigation going?" Just that word without the S you have to pay attention to

[@joannedwyer3691]

genizot I watch the office so many times and each time there's always something I never notice which I have to rewind it back an also I love gareths harmonies on this clip. She's deeeeaaàd! 😂😂😂

[@frank327]

Brilliant

[@SeaJayBelfast]

2:32 'The video would have shown that.' Love the way he had the music video all thought out and everything

[@simonster-9094]

For David Brent: Life on the Road promo, they made a music video for "Gypsy Lady". I wish they made a music video for this showing that exact thing.

[@Smileater]

2:38 I LOOOOOVE how Tim encourages Gareth to backup sing with that pat on his back

[@luukeluketer1024]

Tim " He went home to get it"...........

[@sublimejets]

luuke furtado lol

[@LondonSambaDancerBellydancer]

Made my day

[@augre-app]

i love how he speaks it off camera.. as if its really a random camera team in the office...

[@shortyktfc]

That line gets me everytime

[@crystalbeth1400]

Petabyte oh dear you may have missed the whole point

[@hamishwoodland7424]

"It's not gay!" Haha kills me

[@LLOOYYYDD]

Right that's lunch!! o_0

[@shadyshadow_inc]

She’s deeeaad

[@samhargreaves4095]

@Ivor McNamara no it wouldn't.

[@frithst]

​@Ivor McNamara Oh dear, you don't seem to have understood the David Brent character at all. lol

[@Mainlyeverything]

@@frithst he's right. This show was brilliant. Thank God it was made earlier because today it wouldn't be accepted

[@harrisonbooth6183]

Always reminds of me of my grandfather, we would watch the office together and sing this song together randomly together, now he's on the Free Love Freeway in Heaven, miss you Grandpa.

[@illbeV]

Did he have 1000 women in his lifetime?

[@andyreilly1126]

I miss my grandad graham Grandad

[@SarcasticPlotRecaps]

So he's actually dead? You need Gareth for that bit then 😅

[@GenericHandle]

God, Gervais' acting in this is superb. How he can condense so many dynamics into such a short scene is incredible - look at when Gareth interrupts him with "she's dead". The initial knee-jerk response of "she's not dead!" to Gareth's innocent and justifiable misunderstanding of his inane lyrics, followed by the petty, frustrated rolling of his eyes and then the embarrassed, subtle glance at the camera when the self-induced awkwardness of the situation slowly dawns on him as he recognises that not only did he cause it, but it's now immortalised on film. Genius.

[@johno4521]

That's right

[@johnholland9371]

All while laying down some tasty licks on the guitar.

[@nigelsmyth4313]

U know its brilliant when just reading your comment made me laugh.

[@GarySinghgsin3725]

No other word applies. Simply genius

[@DavidIwinski]

I have the album and every time I hear this tune I sing the Gareth part "She's dead!"

[@genizot]

Gareth and Tim actually vocalize quite well in the background ;-)

[@davidbutler1622]

Yes almost like they rehearsed it

[@colinmcm7494]

@@davidbutler1622or this wasn’t the first time this had happened in the office…

[@phjones01]

One of my all time favourite scenes. As others have said it wouldn't work if Brent was a bad singer, bad guitar player or the song was rubbish. The fact he can sing, play and the song is really quite good make it so much funnier. I also think the quips and corrections as he is playing add so much. Tim and Gareth's backing is also great. I am not ashamed to say, I watch this show on average once every 6 months :-D

[@vordman]

It's the self-delusion and that uninhibited belief in his own god-given talent which makes it so funny.

[@christianbell8347]

You should be ashamed.

[@thenoble39]

Yeah, it's intriguing and unique.

[@thenoble39]

that's the intriguing part. That he can sing and play well for an amateur

[@RLaHive]

@@vordmanAnd it’s underscored by the fact everybody knows exactly that he outright took the time to get his guitar. Which is the exact opposite of the shocking revelation he believed everyone else would have about his hidden talent 😂

[@itsmyaccount1153]

The instructor's face makes me laugh every time!

[@RsKnDR0991]

Ikr, he has the perfect face. Also that short scene where he's eating chips while he's eating his sandwich, lol. It's in the details.

[@jessicaamber6623]

Totally

[@alexandergoldsmith3542]

Right, that’s lunch

[@ameliacraig8789]

Lol. He's so fed up.

[@Scallion_D]

A really good actor!

[@OldSchoolRasslin]

She's NOT dead, and it's NOT gay.

[@peps7721]

OldSchoolRasslin What, you?

[@harryc505]

Sounds a bit gay tbh

[@themysteriouscatperson9483]

“I’ve never cum over a little queer”

[@seanjosephhayes]

RACIAL! 😂

[@xmidnightx2520]

😂😂

[@TheJohnCooperShow]

Free love freeway is an absolute banger

[@chrismooney9275]

Its funny as you know Gervais probably wrote these songs quite seriously in 1988

[@jabronium_ksf888]

You should here the second verse to "spaceman came down" you can definately tell he wrote it ironically

[@chrismooney9275]

+Jabronium_KSF he may have changed a few lyrics to camp it up I reckon. But I bet they're mostly his back catalogue! I can't see the guy writing 5-6 new songs for a series

[@highestsettings]

+CJ Mooney "I can't see the guy writing 5-6 new songs for a series" He wrote the series, why not a few songs? In fact that's exactly the kind of detail that made this series so great.

[@SteaksauceandRob]

Yeah he probably did. But I don't think the songs are that bad though.

[@LukeJones-ib5mq]

Definetely Bowie inspired stuff! RIP

[@28copland]

She's the serpent who guards the gates of hell!!!!!

[@barringtonfisher87]

Joseph O Reilly I wanna hear the whole song

[@joewedg3703]

I see you’ve met my missus

[@alic-c]

@@barringtonfisher87 Ricky Gervais and Noel Gallagher did a full version.

[@eldritch6871]

@@barringtonfisher87 /watch?v=_kROd6JZ98I 6:08

[@jmp01a24]

Probably about an ex of Davids.

[@iorekby]

I love the Americanisms in "Free Love Freeway" like the lyrics about the "hood of a Cadillac" + "freeway". This isn't common vernacular in the UK. It's such a great touch, it shows that Brent thought he had to write an American friendly song because in his mind he was always going to break America at some point ha ha!!

[@Finleythompson161]

iorekby exactly it is genius

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

he clearly adores but in no way gets Springsteen

[@Fortunaatp]

Or it shows how he’s into banal, embarrassing music

[@Fortunaatp]

Christopher Marlowe Awww bless. My comment went straight over your head and you didn’t understand it. That’s ok though, don’t worry about it

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

@ dude - didn't you like, die? In Deptford? What are you doing here?

[@Ray_D_Tutto]

This is one of the rare moments when Brent entertains his employees. Dawn cheers up after this scene albeit laughing at the lyrics. The staff clap along to what would of otherwise been a boring workplace training seminar.

[@joelongsurname]

true! Never noticed that - but they are laughing AT him though 😕

[@lewiscranston881]

Still counts.

[@joelongsurname]

+I am the one who flocks ikr 😅

[@TheAEROShows]

The office David brent

[@MoRo1333]

True! Maybe this is his life destiny after all. Its not gay...

[@BJMcB92]

she's deeeaadddd

[@aquamonkee]

BJMcB92 "She's not dead!" Loved how fast he snapped back at Gareth.

[@TheDaveBloom]

"It's not gay, FREE LOVE ON THE FREE LOVE FREEWAY."

[@shalommichael8263]

David Bloom

[@alicethewalice9482]

BJMcB92 She's not dead!!

[@MrEAus]

David Bloom unless it's up the Hershey Highway

[@phil7192]

I’d do anything to see this for the first time again. I was crying. It’s perfect.

[@nathanclements7082]

Haha I love how this is on the new Freeview advert. Whoever picked it deserves a beer.

[@eddiecaplan1908]

Im glad someone else spotted it too!! Yay 😀

[@connorpursall5251]

Thank god someone else knows, yes they defo deserve a beer haha

[@magicmochi8274]

That's why I'm here 😂

[@amyy2403]

You know I thought it was from the advert 😂

[@tigerbread78]

That advert just popped up on KZbin, reminding of that song, and here I am. His 2016 album also has it

[@barringtonfisher87]

I love how Rowan (the trainer) just sits back annoyed while David gives it his all

[@alexandergoldsmith3542]

Right, that’s lunch

[@paulhallett1452]

The blank stare on the face of the seminar guy towards the end is just priceless.

[@TheVege89]

"He went home to get it"

[@Kah0ona]

Hah, that's my favourite part :D

[@JoeLegero]

This whole scene changed the way I view comedy, and what it can be. Sheer brilliance.

[@MALEXI10]

The brief shot of him singing "she's the serpent that guards the gates of hell" is just brilliant. To think he could have been singing a variety of his own songs for an hour unchallenged 😂

[@LOLLYPOPPE]

Without a doubt the best comedy series ever made, by far.

[@jreegdss6878]

lol no

[@VestaJ17]

+hannu eskola yes it is by far

[@calonico9470]

A bold statement!

[@favrerules04]

The American version is

[@tylerrgames7611]

Cheezeburger Walrus no

[@purplesodapop]

I got some hot love on the hot love highway Ain't goin' home cause my baby's gone _(She's deeeeaaad)_ She's not dead.

[@Tirthankar17]

I had to pause the video because I was laughing so much xD

[@Unknown-ol2uh]

He sang “she’s deeeeaaaad” in such a happy voice too 😂

[@shadyshadow_inc]

Unknown reply’s in a angry tone “she’s not DEAD 😡 “

[@jezwc]

Hahaha

[@Rustythesuperdehero]

its the little look to the camera that kills me! 🤣

[@Ruloathesome]

Probably the single most brilliant episode of the Office. Brent and the staff shine !!

[@mr.c1913]

"He went home to get it." I love Tim.

[@undeadnightorc]

It boggles my mind that I still meet people to this day who don't "get" the UK Office. They say it is too boring, too depressing, too uncomfortable, etc. I mean, take this scene for example. I find it sheer comedy genius, I laughed for 5 minutes straight when I first saw it. But I've actually met people who don't find it funny, or just find it mildly amusing.

[@ayoopdog]

Undead Nightorc Well you know, Americans are very simple people. It's only funny if it's screaming at them, kind of like the "NO! NO! NO! NO NO NO NO!" scene.

[@undeadnightorc]

Ashtopher True, it's more blatant, in your face comedy. The British version actually feels like it could happen in real life. There are episodes of the American version (e.g Dwight thinking Jim is a vampire) that would never happen in the UK version, even if it lasted for 10 more seasons. (Not saying the American version is bad, I'm actually a fan of it up until the 6th season when the writing gets really bad)

[@craigjeffs6733]

It's too subtle for some people. That's why it's still funny after a million times watching it.

[@thatoneguylucas9879]

+Undead Nightorc It's all based on where you grew up and what society told you was "funny." I don't find it fair to say things like "anyone who doesn't find this funny has absolutely no sense of humor." It's all about cultural upbringing. I prefer the US version because my culture is more receptive to that kind of humor. Also one thing I don't get is that people say the British version has more subtle humor than the American version, yet the British version constantly throws Dildos, penises, and sex references every second.

[@inscirbe]

I don't know how anyone can say the UK Office humour is more subtle than the US Office humour. For me it's the complete opposite. When you compare the characters of David Brent and Michael Scott, it's the latter who produces the more subtle moments in my opinion.

[@mudlark4099]

It's been more than 10 years but Free Love Freeway consistently pops up and torments me from time to time inside my mind...

[@dohertyz]

He went home to get it.

[@kellymcdowall6113]

"Two lesbians probably, sisters, I'm just watching" 😂😂👌

[@LLOOYYYDD]

He went home to get it....

[@alexeverett308]

Never thought I'd say this, but can I hear more from Gareth?

[@michaelotis223]

@@alexeverett308 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ErikSumarno]

Best Gareth ever!!!

[@chernobylcoleslaw6698]

@@alexeverett308 Tim's best line.

[@Marley999888]

That episode of the office was truly magnificent and that moment where everyone comes together to sing makes you smile...cemented it in my mind as one of if not THE greatest tv series of all time.

[@felix.fazbear2980]

Don't slag 'em off.

[@memoryhero]

One of the greatest moments in TV history.

[@robertmdub]

The greatest

[@joshuamarshall7360]

*People say the office is boring, depressing and bad. But isn’t that supposed to be what an office is like.*

[@grease_monkey6078]

I worked in a call centre for 4 years, its spot on

[@benmatheson1189]

who say this lol its one of the best rate comedies on imbd

[@JerDog1984]

It's impatience. I asked people why they didn't like it and they say it's because Brent is an asshole, or they just don't like him... they completely miss the point and just brush him off as annoying

[@holliswilliams8426]

I used to work in an office and this show is 100% accurate

[@kevingarland99]

I always say don't slag em off

[@nachogonzalez01]

The grin on Tim's face when he says "had about a thousand woman" is priceless.

[@dontassumemyfender9866]

When he sings "who is wrong and who is right" gets me every time. 😂😂

[@Nett11]

The “she’s deaaad! -She’s not dead.” Exchange happens so quickly and could easily take you out of the moment, but the interjection from the obsessive Brent who has to correct the narrative of his song from Gareth’s ad-lib just elevates an already hilarious moment

[@Amethyst_Friend]

The way his accent changes from Olde Englishe to a standard Americanised one, depending on the song, is wonderful.

[@SarcasticPlotRecaps]

The timing of "its not gay" as he immediately starts up again is genius 😅

[@DavidBrent2003]

Free Love Freeway was one of my first songs. It shocked me when I realised how good it was. But you know, I don't like to boast about my talent too much.

[@kieransoregaard-utt8]

Yea real funny

[@cen2s2s]

An underrated moment is Malcolm's completely bewildered look at 1:55. Every single character helps to make this scene the genius that it is.

[@IV2000]

The best part is that his songs aren't awful, neither is his singing but then the lyrics are just dodgy af. Such a well made scene, doesn't go stupidly over the top like other shows

[@turnupthesun81]

I love how all the actors and especially the cameramen did such a great job making this look like a legitimate documentary. Everyone looks so natural.

[@HingleMcCringle35]

The thousand yard stare from the training video guy always kills me lol

[@pinotgrigio4707]

I think Ricky nearly cracks up at 1:43 , he just about manages to hold it together 😂 Best comedy ever made❤️

[@younited8166]

The little wink to gareth after he nearly goes 😂😂😂

[@drpepper3941]

Mackenzie Crook also immediately after!

[@johnshanley83]

Absolutely!!

[@SarcasticPlotRecaps]

Oh never noticed that, nice catch!

[@nanabonsu2349]

Tim definitely started harmonising as a joke but I like to think that he enjoyed himself by the end of it

[@woudgy]

That's his character in a nutshell

[@revvolutions]

I wish it didn't stop

[@rossomac21]

When he notices that Dawn is lowkey into it, he lets go of all pretence that it's rubbish.

[@Barnsey2k7]

Remember seeing 'David Brent' live in concert - and yes, the entire audience shouted 'what you' at that point and Ricky responded just like this...

[@DoctorDodge]

The whole clip is brilliant (well, the whole episode is brilliant (ok, yes, the entire series)), but am I the only one loving the looks on the two people at 1:14 who are genuinely drawn in? Almost everyone else isn't that impressed, but those two are loving it. That alone always cracks me up.

[@thomasathey3012]

actually the whole show was great

[@phjones01]

Yes, for me this defines the show and Ricky and Steve's genius. The easy way to write this scene is the Office Manager brings his guitar to work and he's rubbish - yeah cliched, but semi funny and would have carried the episode well enough... The fact that he's a brilliant singer with some descent songs takes this to a much higher level of classic British comedy (in my opinion not bettered in recent years) far, far higher than the American version could ever reach (or ever understand to).

[@stuartyoung358]

I will never get tired of this, The Office is a must watch, and feel like I could watch it on repeat, great series!

[@JerDog1984]

This and I'm Alan Partridge I have been watching for years. Just brilliant

[@cockywatchman1976]

Haha the actor playing the customer service manager is great. Haha

[@daniel-bkk]

Love him, haha. His expressions crack me up, especially here but also in the 'rape' scene. Brilliantly bought into his role.

[@paddym27]

went on to star in 'the thick of it'

[@johnshanley83]

This is actually a brilliant song.

[@gasparagusproductions3563]

I know right

[@SteveGauci]

Love it

[@antoniasinfield1762]

The British office wins every time. No unnecessary shouting, or exaggerated physical comedy... so subtle that it is very nearly real and reflective of painfully average and dreary office life.

[@neilsun2521]

I've still never seen an episode of any of the remakes.

[@HarryUnchained]

I love both. Why you need to choose anyway?

[@badgasaurus4211]

They are both different beasts you can’t really compare them. One is nuanced and reserved but the other has great characters and set pieces. Different animals

[@vaayman7770]

@@HarryUnchained Well, US version is inferior in every possible way.

[@michaelotis223]

@@HarryUnchained yeah! Why not both!

[@Gaz8foyd]

20 years later I can still be heard on my way down the street singing free love on the free love freeway as it pops into my head.

[@Isleofskye]

And 23 years later,my friend?

[@dancollins43]

Brent adding “She’s just gone away” near the end of the song to reiterate the fact that she’s not dead is another bit of subtle genius

[@ayandey137]

A 3 and a half minute scene but can be dissected and analysed for 3 and a half hours. Pure genius and anything beyond

[@squeemu]

What I love about this scene is that they didn't make David Brent completely incompetent. He's a decent guitar player (although the chords are easy) and he's a good singer. It's just the lyrics are bad and it's an inappropriate time for it. Even though I also like Michael Scott, I feel they often went over the top with his incompetence and this scene would have been a lot less funny if they did that here.

[@jesusofsuburbia9128]

squeemu Michael has it easy compared to Brent, he has better social skills and his co-workers actually like him.

[@tonybates7870]

It's a bit like the situation with Spinal Tap - they had to be at least reasonable musicians or the thing wouldn't have worked. Their godawfulness had to be in their bad taste rather than downright incompetence.

[@judasiscariot2648]

squeemu Micheal Scott was often petty, mean and narcissistic; David Brent was awkward, pathetic and misunderstood. The success of Micheal Scott was in the audiences empathy for his supporting casts reaction to him whereas with David Brent it was the audiences empathy with the (at the very least) intentions of his actions.

[@CelebrianUndomiel]

I just started watching the US office and while I am enjoying it, I really felt they missed the mark with this kinda scene! Scott is incompetent in an almost slapsticky way which isn't that funny, whereas having Brent be kind of good but also cringey with cringey lyrics was totally genius

[@MX3rules]

Actually they did a similar thing in the US version of Office, the first time when everyone went ice skating and Michael had a similar dialogue about how he was good enough to go pro at ice hockey but didn’t do that, and then show him being absolutely amazing at skating and ice hockey. Then doing some stuff which ends up ruining the trip to the rink.

[@poolclosed8647]

I'm sure Texas couldn't run and manage a successful paper merchants. Kills me every time

[@LazyHealthyDude]

who is the texas he's referring to? country music as a genre?

[@tomosprice8136]

@@LazyHealthyDude theyre a Scottish band. Famous for Inner Smile and Say what you want

[@robfinlay8058]

@@tomosprice8136 And I don't want a lover I just need a friend.

[@filmreviewer117]

This is the best scene of the show as its the one proper time David was himself. Throughout the show he tries so hard for people to like him, overplaying jokes and just saying things trying to get attention, trying to be someone he isn't but in this scene he doesn't do that. He is himself, a guy who wanted to be a musician but didn't make it and when he's playing he's doing it from the heart, not over do it and that's way everyone is smiling not out of cringe but affection for what he does. That's why this show is a masterpiece and why I came back to it so many years later.

[@HeatyFrog]

Also the song, while very daft, actually sounds pretty good so it makes sense for people to start grooving to it

[@lkrnpk]

and then Finchy comes

[@alextreharne11]

crook and freeman with the killer back up vocals

[@vashna3799]

Malcolm's face at 1:55 kills me, bloody hilarious

[@Denilson24]

Tickle him tickle him!

[@komaa1712]

You mean Kojak's

[@craigplanting8804]

Gervais has talked about Bowie emailing him to let him know how much he liked The Office. I bet Bowie laughed at the first song. It's so obviously lifted from his early work.

[@alfredshearing6793]

The actor playing the trainer deserves a lot of credit, just brilliantly played.

[@johnhalliday719]

He’s also in ‘This Country’ which is worth a look. He played the priest.

[@NM-hq1io]

@@johnhalliday719Neil’s dad, the gay vicar?

[@SarcasticPlotRecaps]

No that's a different actor. This is the thick of it guy ​@@NM-hq1io

[@joxidearmageddonator882]

@@johnhalliday719 Paul Chahidi played the vicar in This Country, the trainer Rowan is played by Vincent Franklin

[@joxidearmageddonator882]

@@NM-hq1io that's a different actor called Alex Macqueen

[@ClemsContent]

I love the attention to detail in the songwriting here. The shoehorned American-isms, the self-absorbed social commentary, the hammy sentimentality, and the fact that the music is basically fine (just entirely uninspired). It really feels like Ricky managed to stay in-character the whole way through writing these, and that is an achievement.

[@riffraff-r3k]

The final analysis could be that Bob Dylan (and others) are more pretentious than Ricky's character. That would be funny. Could you let 60 years of music go, to have that laugh?

[@amourtoujours779]

I don't understand people who do not get Office UK. It is literally BRILLIANT!

[@farranasution4068]

I only watch clips of The Office (both UK and US), so I can't really judge, but I never really understand the UK version from the clips I've watched, but this scene is brilliant.

[@thenoble39]

Ricky Gervais is acquired taste

[@PMEPM91]

This is one of the best episodes ever! The Office was so simple but pure genius!

[@Cain1250]

Love how the trainer guy is so quick to leave after Brentmeister General says "Trying to think of what others ones we used to do.." "Right that's lunch"

[@elfinzilla]

The best moment is when the trainer says “Right lunch!” Because in that moment you’ve actually been taken in by the song that Brent is singing and somewhat forgot the purpose of the meeting, reflecting the situation taking place in the scene…. Only a chilled out entertainer could have that effect

[@elfinzilla]

That's so true!

[@jjackson4754]

The funniest thing about Dave Brent's songs is that they are actually pretty great.

[@Iigua]

"he went home to get it" kills me every time

[@gutenbird]

Love this episode. Tim is so funny in the way he interacts with David Brent. And then when David sings to Dawn later is so funny because he is so dead serious. Also Gareth is perhaps the best character in every version of The Office. He is so funny and yet so believable as a human being.

[@HenryBloggit]

Yes! The Dwight character in the American office is a cartoon, you can’t believe for one second he’s real. The Gareth character seems more realistic and more likable.

[@TurtleMC1993]

The best episode of possibly the greatest sitcom of all time

[@Matt8REM]

As incredible as this scene is, it's still criminally underrated.

[@thehop639]

based on what?? Have you conducted a survey??

[@Matt8REM]

@@thehop639 everything ok at home?

[@MondoLoops]

Not sent here from the algorithm just flat out needed to see this scene again, comedy perfection!

[@BillyBombastic]

not even fair how good this is

[@Allandi89]

This cheers me up so much that I watch it a few times a week when I feel low. Its amazing how something so simple can bring your mood up. I always sing it in the car while I'm driving haha

[@phubans]

1:33 - My girlfriend of 8 years broke up with me about a year ago. This weekend she came back to pack up the last of her things and say goodbye. We cried a lot of tears, and as I watched her leave, this was the first song that came to mind.

[@m0xiemarlinspike]

You should have put a ring on it

[@liambaker7360]

Makes me wanna cry knowing it's never coming back 😣 why only the 2 season it was pure genius .

[@SagaciousFrank]

Quality over quantity, ana ending on a high. Two seasons and Christmas specials of comedy gold.

[@nherrer98]

I can tell you after watching this show, it sells itself on being a miniseries. After the last two episodes everyone seems to feel some clairity or happy ending. We see Brent on some mundane date and be pretty content when he's spent the whole show tryna be bigger than himself. Then Tim and Dawn get together. I absolutely adored it.

[@jamietherooster]

gareth with the backing vocals haha a , and the look on the guys face when brent hijacks the show . I would love to work at a place like this haha

[@reigaterobot4965]

The comedic genius of that sketch is perfectly concluded with that single strum on the guitar + “okayyy”

[@loverofawesomethings]

My friend just said guitar yesterday and we both fell into hysterics remembering this. Our other friends looked at us as if we had grown another head.