Why Ricky Gervais bringing back David Brent in Life on the Road is a risk

THE Office is perfect. Which is why I’m worried about Ricky Gervais bringing the David Brent character back in a new film.

OPINION

THE Office is perfect.

Across two seasons and the Christmas specials in the early noughties, the BBC series created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant nailed the mockumentary style.

Even more than a decade after it first aired, it still rewards repeat viewers with subtle little jokes you may have missed.

Take Gareth glancing at his watch when it was revealed the boss David Brent had called the speaking clock rather than sales rep and good mate Chris Finch to sack him. Of course, Gareth being Gareth, he had to make sure the speaking clock was right.

It also had some genuinely touching moments, such as the final scenes of the Christmas specials when Dawn realises she should be with Tim rather than fiance Lee.

And who can’t love a show that ends the first season with Brent saying: “And people say she’s just a big set of tits.” (In reference to Dolly Parton).

This is why the Brent spin-off movie worries me. How can you improve on perfection? Why even try?

Also, the fact Merchant isn’t involved is also a concern. Gervais and Merchant proved The Office was no fluke with their next series Extras.

The trailer for Life on the Road, which follows Brent as he travels up and down the country living his dream of being a rock star, was released overnight.

And it’s funny because it’s Brent and he’s back. It’s cringe-worthy and involves the sort of horrible office conversation that only Brent could somehow get himself into.

It isn’t the first time Brent has returned, of course. There was the YouTube learn guitar with Brent series, where he explains the stories behind some of the “tracks” he performed on The Office (such as the actually great song Free Love Freeway).

In 2013, there was a 10 minute mini-Office episode for Comic Relief, which led to the song Equality Street.

And they were all good, but they were only short.

There’s no doubt the Brent character is still funny. But what made The Office so special wasn’t Brent as the clueless and annoying boss. It was how the other characters dealt with him. How Tim survived in an office with Brent as his boss, Gareth sitting next to him and a love interest in Dawn he couldn’t have.

It was cameo performances from Simon the IT guy and his painful conversations with Gareth about his ability at go karting and his knowledge of Bruce Lee films.

It was Chris Finch, the arsehole sales rep that Brent followed around like a puppy dog. And how Brent finally stood up to him in the Christmas special.

So there is the concern that a whole film just about Brent may be too much.

The film will rely on the performances from the poor guys roped in to be Brent’s band mates so he refuses to give up on his dream of being a rock god.

The original cast from The Office, with Gareth still looking as stylish as ever.

What I’ve always loved about The Office is that they didn’t just cash in and go back and make more episodes.

This is unlike the US version which seemed to go on and on, and was never anywhere near as good. A friend once tried to get me to watch the US version by saying that, like methadone, it’s a bit sweeter than heroin — apparently — but will help fill a gap.

And with the success Gervais has had in Hollywood since The Office, it’s hard to say he’s cashing in when he’s not short a quid or two.

But why risk the legacy of that great series?

I hope I’m wrong. I had the same concerns before the Alan Partridge film Alpha Papa was released in 2013 and it proved me wrong.

And Life on the Road will no doubt be better than most of the other rubbish comedies released in recent years.

I just hope it adds to the perfection of The Office and doesn’t lead to Brent fatigue.

Tell me I’m wrong (or right) in the comments or at @Oli_Murray