# The Office Christmas specials **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 18, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730 "2004-04-18T23:30:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Thrillhouse15](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@Thrillhouse15](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thrillhouse15)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2004, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/1 "2004-04-18T23:30:43Z")
I’m a huge fan of BBC’s The Office. But living in America as I do, I only get to see the show on DVD and seemingly randomly on BBC America. I’ve heard about two 45-minute Christmas specials being made that take place after Series 2, and wrap up the show. But I’ve never seen them advertised as being aired in the US, nor have I ever heard of plans for them to be released on DVD. Does anyone know anything about this? I really want to see the specials. Anyone in the US ever see them, or know if they’ll ever be aired/released? ---
**Author:** ![Survivor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/51bf81/32.png) [@Survivor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Survivor)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/2 "2004-04-20T04:22:03Z")
Strangely enough, I was just flying home from London on British Airways last weekend, and one of the choices on video was The Office Christmas Special part 2… I was flipping through all the channels and started watching it thinking it was just one of the Season one or two episodes… But since I had 11 hours to kill, thought it would be worth watching again… As I watched it, I suddenly realized I’d never seen it before… I grabbed the HighLife magazine and read what it was… I’m not sure if there really was a part one, but part two was wonderful… It tied up a couple of loose ends that I always wondered about… If it comes out on DVD, I’ll be picking it up for sure… Luckily I have a region free DVD, so even if it is only released in the UK, I’ll grab a copy… If you can find it, it’s definitely worth seeing… ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2004, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/3 "2004-04-20T13:14:15Z")
They’re not out on DVD yet. They’re brilliant BTW. Absolute classic comedy. It won a rake of awards last night on the BAFTA’s TV awards(British Academy …) It takes place after the 2nd series and does tie up most things perfectly. I wish I was in your position so when I saw them again it would be for the first time. ---
**Author:** ![Thrillhouse15](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@Thrillhouse15](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thrillhouse15)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2004, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/4 "2004-04-21T00:40:58Z")
I knew they had to be good, and I’m sure they’ll be released on dvd here eventually. Series 2 just came out today, so it could be a while. Maybe I just need to fly British Airways more often. ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2004, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/5 "2004-04-21T01:30:01Z")
After two series (that’s just 12 half hour episodes) of The Office, the show had become massively popular and had won just about every award going. The BBC wanted more, but the writers (Gervais and Merchant, I believe) wanted to bury it and move on to new projects. As a compromise, they agreed to write two 45 minute episodes which the BBC showed last Christmas. In the fictional timeline, these two 45 minutes episodes take place a short while after the end of the second series. They wrap up all the plot lines and finish the show extremely well. Although a few fans said they didn’t think these two were up to par, most people felt they were a brilliant and very satisfying way to wrap up the show for good. Series 1 is already out on DVD. Series 2 will follow, and then - eventually - the BBC will release these Xmas specials, doubtless to be followed by a ‘complete’ DVD release of all the episodes and endless re-compilations thereafter. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/6 "2004-11-16T14:16:20Z")
Thought I’d bump this instead of starting a new thread. The Special comes out in the States today- yee! I watched the last episode of Series 2 last night so that I’d be slavering for it today. (Und by golly, it worked.) Free love/on the Free Love Freeway . . . ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/7 "2004-11-16T20:53:28Z")
I taped the Christmas Special when it was BBCA a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t watched it yet though - I’m holding off till semester break. I’m going to watch the entire series, from episode 1, in one sitting. 🆒 I’ll probably end up buying the DVD anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Made\_in\_Macau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@Made\_in\_Macau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Made_in_Macau)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/8 "2004-11-17T00:30:31Z")
(Martin Freeman who plays Tim said he didnt get the Tim/Dawn thing until he watched the 2nd series dvd) The xmas specials are just that, - special. I’m wondering about David Brent in the USA though, does everyone there realise we think he’s a twat? ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/9 "2004-11-17T00:47:40Z")
> [@Made in Macau](#): > > I’m wondering about David Brent in the USA though, does everyone there realise we think he’s a twat? Well, of course! That’s what makes him so funny. (That and the fact that everyone knows someone like him.) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/10 "2004-11-17T02:14:45Z")
Of course Americans realize that David Brent is a twat. What makes the show funny is that _he_ doesn’t realize it. As for the Christmas special, what I particularly liked about it was that it ended on a hopeful note. Tim and Dawn ended up together, as we expected. But the surprise was that David Brent found someone special, and she liked him as well. I had a feeling that she could influence him to be a better person. We saw the first sign of this when he told Chris Finch to f\*\*\* off after Finchy made a rude joke about her. Earlier, David Brent would have laughed at Finchy’s joke. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/11 "2004-11-17T02:21:43Z")
I thought the specials ruined it. _The Office_ was one of those short-lived stories that was perfect _because_ it was a brief snapshot, and that it didn’t offer any conclusion or resolution. If you’re really a fan, the Christmas Specials will ruin it, irretreviably. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/12 "2004-11-17T04:57:46Z")
I thought it was hilarious. And it had me tearing up at the end. ---
**Author:** ![cryptic\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@cryptic\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cryptic_j)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/13 "2004-11-17T14:12:48Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > If you’re really a fan, the Christmas Specials will ruin it, irretreviably. I have to strongly disagree with you there GorillaMan… I became obbsessed with the office and David Brent after series 1 - - I think everything done complements and completes the whole thing. I made my girlfriend watch all the episodes and the specials when she came over in July - - (she’s from the US ) and she loved them too. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/14 "2004-11-17T14:21:05Z")
I think the dating show segment from part 1 of the special is probably the most painful to watch sequence from the whole series. Including David Brent the motivational speaker! ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/15 "2004-11-17T14:31:59Z")
I thought that the Christmas Specials were brilliant - it ties up all the loose ends and is very funny (the blind dates bit had me in stitches) I know that the yanks have bought the format and are planning to remake it. Has this happened yet - And can anyone think ofa worse prospect than an American version (Brent would have perfect teeth and American hair - Gareth wuld be “kooky” and each episode would end up witha Cosby style hugging bit)? ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/16 "2004-11-17T15:07:05Z")
Well, the US version is being awaited gingerly here too. It won’t show up until early next year if at all. But no, ‘Brent’ is being played by [Steve Carrell.](http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/thedailyshowwithjonstewart/dailyshow_carell.jhtml) I think he might be too intense for Brent, and he’s sorta cute IRL but certainly not good-looking when he’s in his usual persona of “smoldering with anger”. Which doesn’t have much to do with Brent either. Neither ‘Tim’, ‘Dawn’, nor ‘Gareth’ (all the names are changed, of course, because many ordinary English names sound like rich/snobbish ones to most Yanks) are especially great-looking. And there are some great American comedies, like ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, that are also built on cringe-worthy social embarrassment, but they’re anomalies on a network like NBC or ABC or wherever it is. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/17 "2004-11-17T15:31:28Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > I know that the yanks have bought the format and are planning to remake it. Has this happened yet - And can anyone think ofa worse prospect than an American version (Brent would have perfect teeth and American hair - Gareth wuld be “kooky” and each episode would end up witha Cosby style hugging bit)? Come on now- we have a long and venerable tradition of turning great British shows into roadkill ! (_Men Behaving Badly, Coupling,_ et. al) For what it’s worth, I actually have fair hopes for the American _Office._ Steve Carrell is taking the Brent role; he’s a brilliant long-ago correspondent from _The Daily Show_ and can be screamingly funny. Was made to play the pathetic, annoying boss, in fact. [http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/jan04/usbrent.html](http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/jan04/usbrent.html) Plus, we had local reports last year that they were doing exterior photography for the show right here in Scranton! Imagine- I’ve been working in “Slough” for 7 years now and never even realized it. Ah hell, someone put my stapler in Jell-o again. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/18 "2004-11-17T15:32:38Z")
Doh. Quicker on the draw, **Mehitabel.** ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/19 "2004-11-17T15:43:23Z")
Heh! Yes, Scranton, Pennsylvania is the new Slough. Be proud. I think it’s good–it’s a scruffy city but it does have the University (cousins went there and liked it) and a decent past. Not East St. Louis or anything, but definitely past it. Here’s a USA Today article showing the new [principals.](http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2004-03-21-pilots-main_x.htm) And here’s a TWOP post by a guy named ‘Phishbulb’ who [has seen the American pilot.](http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=3115787&st=30) Heck, I expect it to die a quick death but of course I’ll watch, just to see what they do. There are American writers and actors who could do justice to THE OFFICE. But on NBC, primetime, in 23 minute segments? Nah. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730/20 "2004-11-17T16:13:25Z")
Thanks for those links. I think the early buzz is proving you really can’t do anything right in people’s eyes when you dare to remake something successful. Note how these Net critics slam the American tendency to copy British pilots too closely . . . then later in the same thread, the American _Office_ pilot is criticized for not copying the original Brent character closely enough (lack of pathos, etc.)! At the risk of offending any Brits, I’d venture to guess that a great many Anglo-Office lovers are waiting with bated breath to see the new _Office_ - not out of genuine interest, but because they secretly love to see us Yanks muck up another of their creations. Compensates for their unabashed love of _Frazier,_ maybe? 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-office-christmas-specials/240730.md?page=2)