Tag: The Office

The Return of David Brent from “The Office”

David Brent The Office Ricky Gervais recently reprised his portrayal of David Brent from the original U.K. “The Office” in a new short, The Return of Brent. He created the video for a U.K. telethon that is sponsored by Comic Relief called Red Nose Day. Although the special that ended the series was a perfect ending to the tale of David Brent, I guess I don’t mind too much finding out what happened to him, which includes pursuing a music career and selling cleaning supplies. It’s not too surprising to hear him describe the time since working at Wernham Hogg as “the best ten years” of his life. Check it out.

In the video, Brent mentions that he is working with rapper Dom Johnson, and you can see the “result” of their collaboration in this video for “Equality Street.”

The new David Brent videos are related to a new Ricky Gervais YouTube channel. The new channel will feature sketches, podcasts, and clips related to the making of the new Muppets sequel that stars Gervais.

What do you think of David Brent’s return? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • SNL Brings Together “The Hobbit” and “The Office”
  • “Little Prince” Trailer (in English)
  • “That One Night” by The Hunted: So Wrong, So Right
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  • Human Beings Have This Miraculous Gift: Creed in The Grass Roots
  • Todd Packer Looks Back on “The Office”

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    “Sons and Daughters” on “The Office”

    Decemberists Crane Wife Last night, The Office featured what was apparently edited from the pilot for the abandoned spin-off series Shrute Farms. The episode “The Farm” featured Dwight Schrute (Rainn Wilson) returning home after his aunt had died.

    In the episode, we also met Dwight’s brother Jeb (Thomas Middleditch) and his sister Fanny (Majandra Delfino).  The three siblings discovered that their aunt left her large farm to the three of them if they would return to take care of the farm.

    The enjoyable episode did seem like a pilot with the introduction of characters that you expect to be developed. Also, there were some oddball touches, touching on the strangeness we are used to seeing when Dwight has returned home in previous episodes.

    The Office has long been one of my favorite shows in both the American and the U.K. versions.  And even though I have missed Steve Carrell, I so hate to end my relationship with the characters that I would have given any spinoff a chance. It would have been interesting to see how Dwight’s life developed. But, alas, it is not to be.

    “Sons and Daughters”

    One of the interesting aspects of the episode was the appearance of a Decemberists song I really like, “Sons and Daughters.” In one scene, Dwight and his family sit around playing instruments and singing the song.

    While it seems odd that the Schrutes would be playing a recent song by the Decemberists instead of an old German folk tune, it was great to hear the Decemberists and “Sons and Daughters” getting some wider exposure. (Update: The original video of the scene is no longer on YouTube, but the video below includes some images from the episode.)

    The Decemberists

    “Sons and Daughters” appeared as the final song on the Decemberists album The Crane Wife (2006), the band’s major label debut.  The album is partly based on a Japanese folk tale about a man who discovers the woman he married is actually a crane he had once helped.

    As part of the song cycle on the album, “Sons and Daughters” is a hopeful ending, looking forward to a better future.

    When we arrive sons and daughters;
    We’ll make our homes on the water;
    We’ll build our walls with aluminum;
    We’ll fill our mouths with cinnamon, now.

    Although it looks like there is no happy ending for Schrute Farms for now, we are hopeful that The Office will pull it together to give us a finale that lives up to this song and the great series. In this video, the Decemberists, who have previously appeared on The Simpsons, play “Sons and Daughters” at Metro Theatre in Sydney in 2010:



    What do you think of the final season of “The Office”? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • SNL Brings Together “The Hobbit” and “The Office”
  • “That One Night” by The Hunted: So Wrong, So Right
  • Human Beings Have This Miraculous Gift: Creed in The Grass Roots
  • Todd Packer Looks Back on “The Office”
  • A Web Series Says Goodbye to “The Office”
  • The Return of David Brent from “The Office”

    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (4 Dec. 2011 Edition)

    Tommy movie film In case you have been preoccupied having seizures from watching The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 — or you have been preparing to suspend you campaign for president — or if you were busy writing a speech for a governor apologizing to a teenager, here are some of the pop culture stories you might have missed.


    —— Music ——

    Don McLean revealed where he wrote and first performed “American Pie,” refuting a local legend.

    In Grammy news, Adele, Kanye West, Bruno Mars, and Foo Fighters led the Grammy nominations. In other Grammy news, some pondered whether or not the Beach Boys will reunite at the Grammys. Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane was nominated for two Grammys and will compete with Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand. Finally, Sugarland joined Lady Gaga for a rousing performance of “You and I” at the Grammy Nominations Concert this week.

    In another cool collaboration, Bruce Springsteen appeared on stage with Bob Seger last week for some old time rock and roll. Blogness has the story and video.

    John Lennon’s to-do list went up for auction. All you need is . . . more marmalade.

    Andrea True, singer of “More More More (How Do You Like It?),” passed away earlier this month.

    You may listen to the new CD from the Roots, “undun,” on NPR’s website.

    Hanson (i.e., The Hanson Brothers) are developing a beer named. . . “MMMHop.” I’m guessing the beer will stay with you for a long time in the same way the catchy song does.

    The Los Angeles Times reviewed Willie Nelson’s new CD, “Remember Me, Vol. 1.”

    In touring news, George Michael cancelled the remaining dates of his tour to recover from pneumonia. Meanwhile, The Red Hot Chili Peppers announced their first U.S. tour in nearly five years, starting Jan. 25.

    It’s “either a misprint or a satire.” — Elvis Costello, commenting on $339.98 box set of a Costello performance.

    The New York Times     reviewed a new biography of Ahmet Ertegun, the great founder and president of Atlantic Records.

    Watch the ten films for the ten songs on Bon Iver’s self-titled album, released this week in a deluxe edition.

    —— Movies ——

    The Sound of Music has found a new life in movie theaters as a sing-a-long event.

    Planet of the Apes

    This week, Retraunaut posted some cool behind-the-scenes photos from Planet of the Apes (1967) of the “apes” hanging out.

    Firstshowing.net reviewed Cameron Crowe’s new movie We Bought a Zoo.

    In honor of the director’s latest film, Salon featured a slide show of Martin Scorsese’s greatest films.

    A new book recounts how actress Hedy Lamarr contributed to the cell phone technology we use today.

    The New York Times     reviewed the new DVD and Blu-ray of the classic and controversial film, Birth of a Nation.

    Ken Russell, the director of Tommy, The Devils, and Altered States passed away. Watching each of those films in the movie theater were memorable events for me. RIP Mr. Russell.

    New pictures were released of the fictional Mars in the upcoming John Carter.

    Fans discussed how the possible Before Sunrise/Before Sunset sequel should go.

    I was sorry to hear that Roger Ebert’s recent incarnation of At the Movies is going on hiatus. I enjoyed the show.


    —— Other Pop Culture News ——

    The Waltons reunited on The Today Show for their 40th Anniversary.

    In The Office news, now you may buy Dunder Mifflin copy paper. Also, Stanley from The Office (Leslie David Baker) made a music video. In sadder Office-related news, comedian Patrice O’Neal, who also appeared periodically on The Office, passed away last week from complications of a stroke. RIP.

    The Fantastic Four are turning 50.

    The inventor of the Jenos pizza roll and Chun King canned Chinese food, Jeno Paulucci, died on Thanksgiving. Chun King was the only time I encountered Chinese food as a kid, and, well, I have enjoyed several meals of nothing but pizza rolls. RIP Mr. Paulucci.

    What were your thoughts on the pop culture stories of the week? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • This Week in Pop Culture Roundup (Nov. 12, 2011)
  • Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson Put Johnny Cash’s Poetry to Music
  • Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen “Shout” In Their Third Performance Together
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  • The First Song Loretta Lynn Ever Wrote
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