DU Brits! What's the deal with "The Office?"

[FunBobbyMucha]

I have the dvd from Blockbuster(finally--one copy of season one, which is always checked out) and have enjoyed it thus far. I am detecting, though, a serious nod to the semi-improvisational films of Christopher Guest. The tone, the dry humor (a Brit specialty Americans rarely get)..is anyone aware of the makers of "Office" ever acknowledging Guest's films? Or is there some other benchmark Brit show that they're cribbing from (besides Basil Fawlty, of course).

Also, what level of star is Anthony Head in the UK? Is he more famous for Buffy or Manchild over there?

[Khephra]

1. Don't forget

Head is also known for playing Frank-N-Furter on stage too.

[supernova]

3. True!

Over here ASH is known mostly to non-Buffy fans as the "Tasters Choice Guy"

Giles - Yum!!

[daveskilt]

2. the show draws from a lot of stuff

my guess is they are drawing from classics like drop the dead donkey, fawlty towers, and possibly the brittas empire (which is far more farcical) great to see americans getting it.

[supernova]

4. I think it's the other way around

Christopher Guest displays a veddy British sense of humor, which I thoroughly enjoy.

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Christopher Guest is (half) British

he is actually Lord Haden-Guest - Jamie Lee Curtis turned up in Parliament at least once as Lady Haden-Guest.

I haven't heard anyone mention Guest in connection with The Office, but I can see your point. Certainly the fake documentary style is there.

[Logansquare]

6. Read an interview with Ricky Gervais

and he mentioned "Spinal Tap" as an influence for doing "The Office" in a mockumentary style.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

7. Ricky Gervais used to manage top brit fops Suede.

How weird is that?