In an example of everything old becoming new again, NBC and the producers of "The Office" are reportedly considering Ricky Gervais, the creator of the U.K.’s original "The Office, to become the new boss on the U.S. version of the show after Steve Carell departs, reports Joe Adalian at New York Magazine’s Vulture blog.
Adalian writes that NBC loves the idea and the program’s showrunners are open to the possibility.
But perhaps most importantly, Gervais doesn’t sound excited about the idea. " ‘As David Brent would say, ‘Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt … ‘," Gervais wrote in an e-mail to Adalian.. "As I would say, ‘Why would I get up at 6 a.m. five days a week for seven years when I can hire someone else to do that and still get my syndication money?’ " [Gervais co-created "The Office." He also co-wrote and starred in the series when it originally appeared on TV in the United Kingdom.]
One veteran TV executive–not at NBC–having read Adalian’s article, told TVWeek, "There’s probably only one way this could happen. They’d have to pay Gervais a lot of money, and I think both NBC and Gervais would have to see a big grassroots groundswell from the show’s fans that they want this to happen."
I would love to see this come about but I can understand Ricky Gervais’ reasoning. It would be great though if David Brent could come in for a short story as a visiting boss from the UK training Scott’s successor or just being an interim. Obviously though they would have to write around the fact that Brent was fired from Wernham-Hogg but that could be a hilarious take as to how bad things are at Dunder-Mifflin.
Mr. Gervais has said in interviews he finds the U.S. version so much funnier than the original that he’d like to revive the show in the U.K. under the U.S. model. I’d say he’s more than just a little interested in getting the part. Nice playing coy though Ricky!