Life is Stationary: Mockumentary and Embarrassment in The Office

The Office, written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, was first broadcast on BBC2 on 9 July 2001. It consists of two series, with a running time of approximately 30 minutes for each of the 12 episodes, and two 45-minute Chris tmas specials. Initially troubled by low ratings, The Office narrowly avoided cancellation to become one of the most successful British comedy programmes worldwide: averaging a 22 per cent market share in its second series, it was exported first to the BBC’s international channels and, subsequently, to over 80 countries. Various international broadcasters have adapted The Office for their respective domestic markets, most prominently in the United States as The Office; other notable adaptations include Le Bureau (France), Stromberg (Germany), La Job (French Canada), La Ofis (Chile), המשרד (Israel) and Kontoret (Sweden).1 During its two-series run, it garnered numerous awards, amongst others the Best New TV Comedy Award in 2001, the Best TV Comedy Award in 2002 at the British Comedy Awards, as well as two BAFTAs for Best Sitcom and Best Comedy Performance by Ricky Gervais, who stars as the main character David Brent, in 2002. In 2003, The Office swept the Golden Globe Awards and was the first British comedy ever to win, with Ricky Gervais also receiving the award for Best Actor in a Television Series: Musical or Comedy.2 The Christmas specials were nominated for two Emmy Awards in 2005.