What's an Elf? - The Office - BBC

[@mortensenegbert6619]

A man who can distinguish between a dwarf and a midget is an asset to any company.

[@fastfootedone]

+mortensen egbert midget sounds funnier, but dwarfs look funnier...LOL

[@maggieroberts3194]

agreed

[@Alex861697]

+mortensen egbert wowwee what a legend

[@Alex861697]

is that what you really believe??

[@mortensenegbert6619]

+Alex861697 Heh. Nah. Joke. I was joking.

[@Scripture-Man]

The camera direction of this scene is outstanding. We start off assuming it's just Brent and Alex in the room. Then, out of nowhere, up pops the computer repair man to intrude on what is supposed to be a sensitive meeting. After Brent has demeaned Alex further by discussing the difference between midgets and dwarfs, we breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the horrendous midget conversation is over. Cue Gareth Keenan with his Elf question, as the camera moves to reveal he'd been standing there the whole time, adding yet further insult to this man's redundancy. After the conversation escalates into the realms of ridiculousness, all that remains is for the camera to finally pan to reveal the face of the computer repair man: no longer even pretending to be minding his own business, but a transfixed spectator of this surreal conversation.

[@markt8875]

add to the fact that the guy who is being fired is sounding more intelligent than david brent with his vast knowledge

[@temporarymomentary]

Thats the beauty of this show. Small details like this.

[@GeoffreyBronson]

Also the added delight of the camera panning to Alex when Brent asks 'What's the difference?' as shown in the behind the scenes, Ricky couldn't stop laughing at the midget part so it proves that he couldn't actually not laugh at that take and had to have the camera pan away.

[@piggypiggypig1746]

I did not notice the camera direction too much, but your assessment of it made it a lot funnier after a second viewing. xD

[@TonyEnglandUK]

how long you gonna be, mate?

[@RossKempOnYourMum01]

Better be careful talking about Elves and such, the Hobbit might overhear from the next room.

[@TonyEnglandUK]

They don't actually exist though, do they? In real life.

[@frankbrown4780]

@Raskolnikov About 3 1/2 feet.

[@ben10pa]

This was the top moment of the scene

[@nimeshdoolani1315]

That is such an underrated comment. Was that intentional?

[@arjanpatel4895]

horibel thing to say

[@CKarmorr]

I've seen this show a million times but never noticed they prolonged david brent staring at him at 1:34 by reversing the footage halfway, it stands out like a sore thumb. Now I've noticed it I'll never unsee it.

[@jonathanf3604]

Whoa nice catch!

[@youhustlinmeboy4989]

Damn, you have a keen eye

[@bourneultamatum]

It's probably because Ricky couldn't keep a straight face and they needed the take!

[@CelticSaint]

1:59 - That's Stephen Merchant's real life father.

[@RustyLongPipe]

Bloody hell. Well spotted

[@LAdavidthompson]

This has to be one of the most outstanding scenes in the history of TV. The acting, dialogue, directing, pacing, comedy and seriousness together.....wow.

[@randombutspecific]

This can be said about so many scenes of the office, it’s just a masterpiece

[@CG-mj4vf]

After this, Jeff went on to work at JLB Credit, so not a total loss :P

[@mikeydluffy2718]

In real life. After JLB UK folded he went on work at Shapiro finance

[@Red_wine]

I heard he went on a long depressing streak after this and became a neo nazi.

[@DanOC1991]

Cara G yep. And Tim actually went on to help a gang of dwarves recover their lost mountainous homeland from a murderous dragon. So it all worked out in the end.

[@benmatheson1189]

David Brent was his boss then Johnson jesus

[@honeypower]

Also worked as a DJ at the Phoenix club

[@xtotaldestructionx]

I absolutely lose it when it pans from Gareth's face, to David's face, to the IT guys face!

[@treintaydiez]

Brilliant

[@jasonlefler3456]

The IT guy is Stephen Merchant’s father.

[@seekanddestroy9835]

Jason Lefler isn’t the cleaner Stephen merchants dad who just stares at the camera?

[@jasonlefler3456]

Seek and Destroy Yes, absolutely. I have no idea what I was thinking when i said that!

[@majormackenzie834]

@@jasonlefler3456 the janitor guy always stare at the camera is the Merchant father

[@thisisjeannetherese]

repair guy: so what's a goblin? david: how long are you gonna be mate? idk why but that cracked me up 😂😂😂

[@KillProficiency]

Perhaps because those two lines were fashioned for the purpose of comedy.

[@ElvisLivesUpstairs]

Murph 😂

[@lievenvanloo6011]

@@KillProficiency you don't say

[@Scallion_D]

@@KillProficiency Haha.

[@Dinesy16]

@J Ygb Comedic lines are all well and good, its about the delivery. Implying that something, anything.. Is a "comedic line" and must therefore be understood and taken at face value, well... Its retarded isn't it and shows no knowledge of what comedy is I say comedic lines therefore they must be funny and I must be funny Dont think it works like that

[@TheDustyWilk]

"Anton is three-foot-four!" "So are some children." gets me every time

[@jayboy8080]

children dont work in warehouses

[@MrEAus]

justinjha They certainly did in the Victorian era

[@Luca_86]

Can’t replicate the same joke in China..

[@hearkenoath]

"Children aren't disabled, are they?"

[@cov9290]

@@Luca_86 🤣🤣🤣

[@danielbryant1596]

"I just wanna know how come he knows so much about midgets." Classic Gareth to be suspicious of a bloke's basic knowledge haha.

[@Al-kb2xl]

It's called an education. Lol

[@johnsmith7759]

@@Al-kb2xl love that line didn't know they taught the difference between dwarfs and midgets on the school syllabus 😂

[@williamlewer3083]

@beardedcollie39 when you're a doctor, I'll make an appointment

[@paulrichards6894]

IMDB has a 9 out 10 rating for the US version.....

[@mumbles215]

US version sucks. Unwatchable. From a yank.

[@spatzhawk]

bloody hormones

[@glennoconnor1130]

😂

[@Rakshay223]

I love how Brent is such a bad manager that he chooses the smartest warehouse guy to fire (compared to the other warehouse guys shown later in the series

[@davidpetermcmorris857]

Taffy?

[@Rakshay223]

@glyn hodges That's a good point. Brent might be smarter than we think

[@williamlewer3083]

@@davidpetermcmorris857 Glynn

[@geoffdillon4637]

“That’s my dog shaggin’ ‘is dog.”

[@colderplasma]

he's the most recently hired. he was hired at the very start of the series when david brent lied about his forklift drivers test.

[@maskedmerker]

"so what's a goblin?" I lost it!

[@ValkyrieDaisy95]

"How long yer gonna be, mate?" XD

[@jacobreeves3110]

This is comedy gold. The humor is so subtle and intelligent. This isn't your toilet humor, this is that classic British humor.

[@mannixflinn6227]

"It's out of my hands. And even it it were in my hands, my hands are tied." I love this quote and have used it for breaking bad news to my subordinates ever since I first heard David Brent say it.

[@chillbobaggins4632]

I love how he has the courtesy and patience to educate them about midgets and magical beings while in the process of getting fired 😅

[@ririta81]

I have being laughing like crazy he is soon funny

[@gr6607]

At 1:33 the way Gareth lifts his head gradually is hilarious because it's like he's waiting in anticipation for the answer and the lift of the head is a sign to the guy to do it. Brilliant.

[@earwakerstream]

+Lee MillsRaggio Absolutely Spot on! Should have read this before posting! Superb!

[@badboistilezy]

My favourite part of this is when Gareth asks him what an elf is. He looks around in astonishment towards the camera crew, as if he's thinking 'are you actually being serious?' The camera then focuses on Gareth and David, both completely stone-faced, whilst finally focusing back to the bloke, who now realises they're both being serious and reluctantly answers the ridiculous question.

[@LiberalHindu]

1:07 - 1:10 Pure gold...acting at its best...A masterclass titled "how to take a cue and respond in acting" by Ricky Gervais.

[@ajs41]

Did you see how many takes that took? Its on the outtakes video.

[@mikefraser4513]

So are children....brilliant!!

[@patriceaqa288]

@@userin1804 brent has to fire this guy because he arrogantly gave him a job as a gesture to show off without checking the guy out. So he has to make him redundant

[@VenturiLife]

@@patriceaqa288 No, his mismanagement of the company has led to a lack of sales and cost-cutting.

[@steve-marsh]

One of the best scenes from the entire series. The cleaner coming out of the cupboard and seeing the camera is absolute genius.

[@markboyle9941]

That's Steve Merchant's dad. He did a cameo for them.

[@PolitischTourette]

The body language is as important as the words spoken in the UK Version. Thats imo the defining strength of the UK Version. Great acting and the emphasis on Body Language and perfect Timing !!!

[@annehathaway2107]

I keep trying to swipe your hair ikon off the screen...lol

[@shashishekhar----]

@@annehathaway2107 Anne you are so lovely but so Dumb !

[@annehathaway2107]

@@shashishekhar---- oh dearie dearie me.

[@seshadrianantharaman7676]

this is pure genius... the IT technician at 0:13, Gareth at 1:27, all 3 at 1:52... and the conversation "what's the difference", "what's an elf"... holy god... has to amongst the best ever

[@jaimeleonguzman4328]

One of the greatest comedy episodes ever to be written. The guy is getting fired, and they just start talking about elves, midgets and dwarfs 😂😂😂. Absolute Classic

[@johnb1150]

Dont forget goblins...

[@johnc5258]

"Not passing the buck. This was someone else's decision!"

[@Frenchiemum]

So whats a goblin 😂😂😂 remember watching that scene sat on my own crying with laughter 😂

[@thetruth156real3]

The double take at the guy fixing the computer is classic.😂😂😂

[@robinnuno1562]

"How long are you gonna be mate" gets me every time xD

[@luislizard2626]

That David Brent dwarf impression has to be the best dwarf impression ever

[@chrisbroxton2813]

The head bobble gets me everytime

[@Useaname]

It how he wriggled his hands up his sleeves out of shot, in preparation for the joke that cracked me up.

[@harryc505]

I know the ones

[@CharlieVane21]

"I'm not passing the buck - this is someone else's decision ..." 🤣

[@vinto34]

I like how they all stare him out waiting for an answer.

[@relaxer37]

Such a classic bit of comedy. They're all somehow in their own little worlds, barely held together with the subtle words of the subject matter. Genuis.

[@Chalky29]

“Oh I know the ones” does movements lol

[@lizimoodyspecter7281]

I love US office because it's so sweet and warm but UK office is a thousand times better and funnier.

[@chinmay6249]

"So what's a Goblin?" - The it guy is amazing. Brent decides to fire someone (an important moment) while the it guy is fixing his computer. Ricky Gervais is comedy gold.

[@jossym]

What a great CV Neil Fitzmaurice has - this legendary scene in the office (as well as the very opening scene in episode 1), Jeff in Peep Show, and Ray-Von in Phoenix Nights. Not to mention in real life that as a Liverpool fan, he was a survivor of the horrific Hillsborough disaster.

[@Isleofskye]

Acclaimed Writer, as well...

[@baconlatte]

Everyone involved in that scene deserves one or more awards.

[@BaxterLad12]

This entire clip is smothered in undeniable comical genius... That we can all agree on, but in my opinion the confused stare of the man at 2:04 is just perfect.

[@menikmati789]

Stephen merchants dad! (Really)

[@lukebrown28393]

Karl Pillington's mum thought the computer repair man was him hahaha Ricky tells it in an interview

[@tommy32100]

Where can i see it

[@arkirron7172]

@@tommy32100 idk the exact interview but it’s in a compilation clip kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3jKmqGKl9qXgbc Skip to 3:16:56

[@harryc505]

Weird init

[@gicky-gackers]

@@harryc505 😉

[@Useaname]

The apple didn't fall far from the tree, in his case.

[@shredphreek]

Absolute gold..the look on the computer tech guy 🤣🤣

[@The01t]

I love the bit where he rolls his eyes before explaining to David and Gareth what an Elf is, like he's explaining simple spelling or something lol

[@ValkyrieDaisy95]

1:44 - 1:52 was comedy gold XD!!

[@coosoorlog]

especially 1:52

[@samnicholson5051]

The art of the awkward silence

[@mannixflinn6227]

@@exspes very well spotted and explained.

[@RuddsReels]

"Oh, I know the ones!", then proceeds to mimic a dwarf. lol!

[@TheRebecca1706]

this is pure genius - I laughed so much I cried and it comes from a person who never even smile while watching comedies

[@luckyspurs]

0:11 Love when the guy pops into view, ignoring the conversation.

[@searlek]

'It's out of my hands, and even if it were in my hands, my hands are tied'

[@Agos226]

Gareths face at 1:48 as he’s processing all this information is priceless

[@HackneyShark]

Everyone has their favourite scene from The Office... This is mine.

[@kaycamille1544]

brilliant writing!brilliant acting and timing!!! a masterpiece

[@jiztroughgirl]

All this talk of Dwarves and Elves, then cut to Bilbo Baggins! (I know he wasn't cast as Bilbo at the time)

[@basti2955]

Ian Holm is the only relevant Bilbo Baggins.

[@ammar5520]

The resemblance at 2:47 cracks me up

[@YodaOnABender]

This scene alone tops the entire US remake

[@paulrichards6894]

never watched the US version but it has a 9 out 10 rating on IMDB

[@YodaOnABender]

@@paulrichards6894 and?

[@paulrichards6894]

@@YodaOnABender no i love the British version never seen the US version ......i am just saying the US version is highly rated

[@RaferJeffersonIII]

US office remake is about as good as Mrs browns boys

[@YodaOnABender]

@@RaferJeffersonIII been so long since I’ve seen that show that I can’t remember if it was good or not. All I remember is I used to have a friend who was obsessed with it and he was rlly fucking annoying

[@VenturiLife]

1:53 .. That moment when you realise you're the smartest guy in the room...

[@PiusXulu]

"So are some children" 😂😂

[@grandwagoner]

2:35, IT repair guy is fully invested in the discussion

[@adityas6373]

Even the fork operator did brilliant acting

[@qumu872]

It’s so funny how David perceives hormones as something bad because dwarfism is caused by hormone deficiency, as someone would say « bloody cancer cells » he says « bloody hormones » 😂😂😂

[@dedoubecool]

This scene is absolutely hilarious -worth every second. Love Gervais' facial expressions 0:28 1:15 1:23 1:35 1:40 2:39

[@NYSkinsFan82]

The greatness of this show summed up in under three minutes

[@halfaworldaway]

"Do you wanna answer that?"

[@danielvandam]

Love brent’s dwarf imitation lmao

[@Ranger1812]

The fella at 2:01 is Ron Merchant, Stephen Merchant, who co-created, -wrote, and -directed The Office and plays Nathan, "The Oggmonster"'s father. David Brent once mentioned his friends, "Ron and Eileen" which are the names of Steve's parents.

[@blazinjaden]

i have dwarfism and i was laughing my ass off at this scene 😂😂😂😂

[@1badjesus]

1:33 BEST PART: Cut To DAVID waitin for answer: "What's an elf?"

[@Nero-ox5tw]

The Office is a masterpiece

[@Talisman09]

"Do you wanna answer that" is absolutely the best line here

[@professionalmemeenthusiast2117]

I love how David goes straight to Ronnie Corbett as his example because he's always going on about classic comedy

[@jasonlefler3456]

I love that in the Bloopers for this scene, Ricky is shown falling apart every time he says the word "dwarf". He clearly couldn't gather himself enough to say that line and keep a straight face because the camera pans away from him once he says, "what's the difference?", the line that precedes the line with the word "dwarf". An underrated scene, in my opinion.

[@LaughS0L0ud]

Fun fact, this guy was in the first ever scene for the office, getting hired by David. How times change...

[@searlek]

That's the point. David kept employing people at a time Wernham Hogg wanted to make redundancies, and had to make all the people he employed redundant (as well as pensioning off older members of staff like Malcolm).

[@TonyEnglandUK]

Another fun fact. The random bloke in the blue overalls that stares at the camera at 2:01 is Stephen Merchant's real life Dad.

[@grimetip]

"so whats a goblin" has to be the line of the scene

[@JJWheatley987]

i love that they used this clip on a training course for work😂

[@selinaali9367]

I watched this a hundred times and still laugh out loud 😂 brilliant writing

[@RuddsReels]

"There are supernatural beings, they are like fairies" Brent: They don't actually exist do they?

[@andrewb2475]

A 3' 4" forklift driver! :o

[@lukegale7973]

This guy was in Phoenix Nights, Peep Show and The Office. What a resume!

[@ourphilosophyis9119]

“That’s not a disability. That’s just small” gets me every time. I wish people mentioned it more often lol.

[@relaxer37]

Its amazing how they all turn against him like its the Spanish Inquisition. Gareth suddenly takes the position of the judge, like this is the main reason he came to David's office! Brilliant in so many ways, script, acting, camera work how they are ideally cast. One of the best comedy scenes ever.

[@Rydonattelo]

The way he imitates a dwarf in the space of 3 seconds gives you an exact image of the type of dwarf he is referring to.

[@KebabMusicLtd]

I can always tell its getting near Xmas when the BBC start to bombard my feed with old comedy clips.

[@sonsofthetribe]

The fact there is a man under the desk fixing things whilst hes making someone redundant is hilarious 😆

[@manutdrule09]

with...JEFF?

[@ElvisLivesUpstairs]

Benjamin Davies 😂😂😂😂😂

[@GuilhermeOliveira-ph3yg]

"This has been imposed upon me "This has been imposed upon me" Vintage Jeff from Peep Show.

[@MoskHotel]

Jeff’s doing a joke.

[@ljc1520]

“So what’s a Goblin?” Is one of my favourite literary lines of all time! 🐐✍🏼

[@sirAlexanderthegrape]

"bloody hormones" hahah

[@allisonjones8694]

Back here for a fix, after another utterly thrilling day in the office 🤣 Oh my days, it's perfection. Genius.

[@alfiemitchell3026]

I remember hearing a story Karl Pilkington told when his mum phoned him up congratulating him being on an episode of the offices when re-runs were playing. It ended up just being the bald technician guy.

[@firewalkwithmecooper]

"They don't actually exist, do they? In real life..?" "I'm not passing the buck, this is someone else's decision, I didn't wanna do this!"

[@Sebastianrdz41]

The custodian staring at the camera kills me every time

[@siddharthindora7182]

You know what the funniest part is , the first scene in the first episode of The office shows David hiring him , and at the end of season shows him firing him

[@rickhardman7376]

@glyn hodges unless ur Brent

[@Immolator772]

Ask what's a hobbit, Tim surely would know how to answer.

[@CD-603]

This scene is better than any scene in the US version

[@FutureAbe]

When Brent goes “what’s the difference?” you just know that must have been a difficult take for Ricky to get through 🤣🤣. I can almost see him corpsing

[@Avapieces]

Bloody hormones...🤣🤣🤣😘 gets me every time

[@misterjibril6528]

Bits like the double take on the maintenance guy is what made this comedy gold

[@paulandrews6337]

"Children don't work in warehouse "😂😂

[@gvulture1277]

1:16 the line "bloody hormones" is definitely a Stephen Merchant line

[@shecklesmack9563]

That is absolutely spot on. I can totally imagine him saying that in one of the XFM shows 😂

[@lucavandresh9788]

2:04 is Steve Merchant's dad

[@moonlogic1986]

That guy knows an awful lot about hormone deficiencies and folklore.

[@krangster4420]

Stephen Merchant's dad as the janitor there

[@cmwarrilow3991]

I think I'm right in saying that the caretaker looking into the camera is Steve's dad

[@upon-fe2720]

Creme de la creme of British comic writing, timeless. Such a shame to see Gervais morph into Brent IRL.