This holiday season celebrate with The
Office Collection Special Edition available on November 22. Written and created
by Golden Globe winners Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the DVD Special
Edition features the complete, original UK series plus all new bonus
features.
BBC AMERICA first introduced U.S. audiences
to the comedy genius of Ricky and Stephen when it premiered the show in
2003. At its launch The New York Times called it “pretty much the
funniest show ever” while Newsweek declared it the “best comedy on
television.” It went on to win two Golden Globes, inspire the U.S.
version on NBC and continues to influence the tone and look of everything from
television comedy and movies to commercials and pop culture at large.
The Special Edition DVD has all 12 episodes
and the 2-part Holiday Special with bonus features including:
·The
original pilot
·Six
specially recorded introductions of every episode from Season 1 by Ricky
and Stephen
·An
exclusive documentary Comedy Connections:The Office which
traces the history of the show
·Interviews
with the original cast including Ricky, Stephen, Lucy Davies, Mackenzie
Crook, Martin Freeman and Ewen Macintosh as well as celebrity fans Ben Stiller,
Christopher Guest, Matthew Perry, Richard Curtis and David Baddiel.
Here is a clip of Ricky Gervais, as David Brent, "cheering up" an employee on his 30th birthday:
Ricky Gervais shines as slimy, clueless boss David Brent in the "docusoap" series The Office. The premise of the show is that a documentary film crew is recording the daily goings-on of the paper company Wernham Hogg in lovely industrial Slough. The title credits show a gray, boring, office in the middle of a gray, boring town. David Brent is the Managing Director of the company, but he never seems to do much work beyond annoying employees and making them feel uncomfortable. He is never shy about addressing the viewer directly and imparting his vast wisdom on how to motivate employees to get the best out of them, while at the same time lightening the mood all round by being an "entertainer." The David Brent character does become a more sympathetic character as the series evolves and his odd behavior catches up to him.
This Special Edition collection of the program consists of 4 disks which include both seasons of the series, as well as the series finale, a 2-part Christmas episode shown in 2003. One disk contains the original pilot episode, with actors who didn't continue on to the main series. It is interesting to see David Brent in all his original glory, when the principle actors had no idea that this project would evolve into a series! This disk also includes an interesting documentary with an interview with creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant discussing how the program came to be, and how unenthused the-powers-that-be at the BBC were at the beginning.
The first season's episodes are all introduced by Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais discussing various aspects of the show, illustrated by clips from the series. The very first episode also features short clips of various well-known actors, including Ben Stiller, Christopher Guest and Matthew Perry discussing their admiration for the innovative and influential show. It was a little difficult for me at times to figure out when the reminiscences had ended and the actual episode began, though!
Some of the other actors who appear in the series have also become famous since the airing of the show. Martin Freeman (Dr. Watson and soon to be Bilbo Baggins) plays Tim, who seems to be the only person interested in doing any actual work at Wernham Hogg. He is constantly thwarted in his efforts to concentrate by his annoying cubicle-mate (although they are unfortunately missing the walls which might have made the situation bearable) Gareth, played by Mackenzie Crook, best know for his role as a somewhat ramshackle pirate in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. The other main character is the receptionist Dawn, who is part of a love-triangle between the mild-mannered Tim and her tough boyfriend Lee. Lucy Davis (known for coaching her fellow survivors on how to play zombie in Shaun of the Dead) plays the conflicted Dawn.
The disk containing the final episodes of the series also contains the documentary Closed for Business, where Gervais and Merchant and the various actors discuss why they decided to end the show at that point. The Christmas episodes were intended to be the series finale, so there are no cliffhangers that never get resolved or other annoying plot holes.
New and old fans will enjoy this full series of the iconic British series. Fans of the American version of The Office will enjoy seeing where it all began!
On a side note, I was very pleased to note the Eastenders reference in the first episode (Rickaaay!). Just one iconic show paying tribute to another!
Disclaimer: I was provided a review copy of The Office Collection Special Edition by BBC.
I remember the first time I ever heard of Bill Hicks. I was watching one of those countdown shows about the 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time. As the numbers counted down, I found myself speculating who would be #1. I figured it had to be Richard Pryor. He was #2. I sat there perplexed, wondering who in the world would be considered greater than Pryor. When #1 was revealed to be Bill Hicks, I sat there stunned and asked, "Who?"
Unfortunately, I was not the only one who was unaware of Hicks' genius. This week the BBC released the documentary American: The Bill Hicks Story. It is a story of the life and career of a comic that many consider to be the best ever.
Bill Hicks grew up the youngest child of a close-knit family in Houston, Texas. He was greatly influenced by seeing a performance of Woody Allen doing a stand-up routine on TV and decided to make that his life's work. As a teenager, he began sneaking out of his parents' house at night to perform onstage at a new comedy club in town. The DVD contains clips of some of these touching early performances, which mostly centered around his parents, their strict Southern Baptist views, and life at school. Even though the patrons of the club were much older than he was, he quickly gained a following.
Once he graduated from high school, Hicks headed to Los Angeles to try his luck in the entertainment business. He convinced a friend, Dwight Slade, to come with him. Hicks performed at the Comedy Store, where many other comedy greats began their careers, but his main focus during this time was writing a screenplay. He and Slade presented the screenplay to an agent at the prestigious William Morris agency, who told them the ending needed a little work, but that he was interested in seeing more from them. Even though this would be encouraging to most people, for Hicks it was an indication that his career as a screenwriter was a dismal failure. He refused to continue working on the screenplay, and entered into a creative lull. Eventually, he moved back to Texas. He was around age 20 at the time.
After returning to Texas, the formerly clean-cut Hicks began to experiment with drugs and alcohol. Although he continued performing, he was often impaired onstage. His contemporaries were amazed at the bitterness and freedom that his lowered inhibitions unleashed -- he said what he felt needed to be said, and no longer worried about what others thought. This continued for several years until he gave up drugs and alcohol altogether and moved to New York.
When the newly sober Hicks decided to dive back into comedy, he performed at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. This is when he really began to attract attention. His performance was filmed and shown in the UK, where Hicks became something of an overnight sensation. He performed to great acclaim at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, and taped a live performance in front of an adoring crowd (which was released as "Revelations"). For the first time, Hicks felt as if an audience "got" what he was trying to say, and his confidence increased exponentially.
Unfortunately, when he came back to the U.S., it was to be greeted by the same indifference he had experienced before. Although he appeared on the David Letterman show multiple times, he just could not attract the same following in the U.S. that he had overseas. Still, he was enthusiastic about his career when disaster struck: Hicks was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He threw himself into many creative projects: working on screenplays, recording albums, and doing more live performances. He was very proud of his final appearance on the David Letterman show, only to be devastated when his appearance was cut before the program aired (it was finally shown on Jan. 30, 2009). Hicks died on Feb. 26, 1994. He was only 32.
The DVD is a wonderful tribute to Hicks. His family and friends provide commentary about his life, and many photos of Hicks are shown in animated sequences that help to illustrate the sometimes frenetic pace which marked Hicks' life. There are actually two DVDs in this set. The first contains the film and extended interviews while the second has more interviews, deleted scenes, rare clips, and Hicks' audio journal entries, among other things. There is also a booklet included about the making of the film.
Here is a clip from the DVD:
This DVD collection is a wonderful tribute to a comedian who, unfortunately, remains largely unknown in his own country. The great reverence and respect with which other comedians hold him shows that his legacy won't be forgotten any time soon. If you haven't heard of this remarkable man yet, this is a great opportunity for you to learn!
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of American: The Bill Hicks Story from BBC
Final verdict for American: The Bill Hicks Story: Five Gherkins, for being an in-depth look at an influential and much-loved figure in American comedy
The BBC is looking for some of us rabid Anglophiles to participate in a project about the upcoming Royal Wedding. If this applies to you, please use the contact information to get involved!
The BBC are calling all Royal enthusiasts and Anglophiles!
Are you a Royal fanatic?
Are you excited about the forthcoming wedding?
Are you planning on trekking to London for the big day to see the King and Queen-to-be?
If this sounds like you then we would like to hear from you....
The BBC series Top Gear has just released its 13th season of automotive fun on DVD. Hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May enter a terrifying French ice race in low cost rear-wheel-drive coupés and James travels to America to spend a day with stunt-driving legend Ken Block. The boys are no less ambitious this season as Richard and James challenge the logistical might of Britain’s mail service by racing the new Porsche Panamera versus a stamped envelope across the British Isles and Richard stages the world’s first-ever race between the 1000 horsepower Bugatti Veyron, McLaren F1 and Lamborghini Murcielago SV in Abu Dhabi.
Elsewhere, Jeremy and James attempt to understand what makes a great Volkswagen advertisement – and then try to film one of their own. Plus, Jeremy gets chased by the British Army in some of its latest and most deadly toys and in a long-awaited television-first, the mysterious Stig takes off his helmet to reveal just who he really is.
The ongoing hit “Star in the Reasonably Priced Car” segment continues with Jay Leno, Olympic Gold Medal Sprinter Usain Bolt, Sienna Miller, AC/DC Singer Brian Johnson and more getting behind the wheel on the test track.
To whet your appetite, here is a clip of the three hosts engaging in one of their popular races: steam train vs. car vs. motorcycle. Which will reach the destination first?
TOP GEAR 13 BONUS FEATURES
• Stig POV
• Spitfire Magic
• Ken Block: Slow Motion
• Extended Brian Johnson Interview
• Extended Jenson Button Interview
• Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4-SV 200 mph Run in Abu Dhabi
• Train Race Sequence with JC
Top Gear Season 13 Blu-ray/DVD is available for purchase starting on Sept. 28.
**Win! Thanks to Bridget at Warner Bros. I have one TWO copies of Top Gear Season 13 to giveaway! To enter, just leave a comment stating what car you would like to test drive if given a chance. Make sure your email address is either in your Blogger profile (if you have one) or in your message so that I can contact you if you win! The contest closes on Oct. 8, 2010. Open to the US and Canada. Good luck!**
The hosts are so engaging and the features are so over the top and unexpected that even non "gear heads" will get a kick out of watching! While you're waiting to find out if you're the winner, be sure to check out new episodes of Top Gear on BBCAmerica.
I'm a librarian who is interested in all things British. I try to visit London as often as possible, and am always planning my next trip. I lived in Sweden for a few years with my Swedish husband, so the occasional Swedish reference may occur . . .
3:53 PM
Lisanne624
BBC, Earth Day, giveaway
No comments
Five Gherkins, for being an in-depth look at an influential and much-loved figure in American comedy
Posts
Brilliant! 
Good, innit?
Fair to middlin' 
Has some good points 
Oi! Wot you playin' at? 
Don't be givin' me evils! 
