At the end of 2003, we bid farewell to David Brent. A tragic, egotistical, pathetic man who helped changed TV comedy. And also caused a massive excess of mockumentary TV shows.
But as Arrested Development has proved, things we love will come back to us once more. Granted Firefly fans aren’t getting jack shit, but mentioning that wouldn’t allow me to prove anything.
Ricky Gervais’ character and counterpart David Brent first appeared outside of The Office UK in The Office US, because it’s his show and he can do whatever the fuck he wants. Luckily he did it before Steve Carell left and presumably distanced himself from the show as they jumped the shark.
After his two appearances in America, Brent then appeared on YouTube, with a few videos that tried to capture the magic of Brent outside the Office, sans Howard from Halifax. Instead he has Doc Brown, whose music Brent is producing and whose race Brent is trying to associate with. Leading to the awesome comic relief reggae rap music video, Equality Street, performed by Gervais and Doc Brown, with another video about to how this collaborating came about.
Turns out this video is damn prophetic when I saw a sad union of Robbie Williams and Dizzee Rascal, with the only difference being the song is not about equality.
The latest Brent has done are these weekly “Learn Guitar with David Brent” YouTube videos.
But now, Ricky Gervais has said that he wants to make a fucking David Brent movie.
A DAVID BRENT MOVIE.
Soak it in. Forget about Affleck as Batman and think about a full feature with David Brent, the man who brought us a fusion of flashdance and MC Hammer shit.
But that’s not all, Gervais has actually got a few other things lined up for Brent. Starting with a frickin’ record deal. You might be able to buy “Free Love Freeway”, or torrent it.
After this, Brent will appear in a few charity concerts. Woop.
Then the film will be made, probably focusing on Brent trying to make his dream of becoming a musician come true. Something Gervais accomplished early in his life.
Good news? Or do you not give a fuck? Or have I been confusing you with alternating use of Gervais and Brent to talk about the same person more or less? Let me know if you have a few seconds free.
Life in a Television Show 