The Office: Initially Gervais and the BBC at loggerheads

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By Stone Martindale Dec 23, 2006, 0:22 GMT

The brilliant hit comedy The Office almost had a production stoppage back in 2001 due to creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant having a battle of creative wills with the BBC executive ranks. Actor Ricky Gervais is seen in the award-winning British sitcom 'The Office', in this undated handout photo. Microsoft Corp. said on Tuesday it was investigating how two in-house training videos made by British comedian Ricky Gervais, creator of 'The Office' television series, appeared on two Web sites. REUTERS/Handout

Actor Ricky Gervais is seen in the award-winning British sitcom 'The Office', in this undated handout photo. Microsoft Corp. said on Tuesday it was investigating how two in-house training videos made by British comedian Ricky Gervais, creator of 'The Office' television series, appeared on two Web sites. REUTERS/HandoutIn a filmed documentary, producer Toby Stevens shows footage of BBC brass who wanted to override Gervais and hire an experienced comedy director, while Gervais and Merchant were determined they would helm the first series in 2001. The BBC eventually backed down and the show became a monster hit, with an American spin-off featuring the talented American actor Steve Carell.Stevens said in his documentary, "Ricky and Stephen said that they wanted to direct the show and the BBC basically said that this couldn't happen. Ricky was adamant it had to be made on their terms or not at all, as they had such a clear vision for the programme.""Luckily, they eventually got the BBC to agree." Indeed.

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AnonDec 24th, 2006 - 19:18:39

There's an old Hollywood joke:

A writer, a director and a producer are having lunch in a swanky restaurant. The writer tastes his soup and says 'this soup is terrific!'. The director, keen to have his input, says 'it's good but it needs more salt.' So the producer says 'let's p*ss in it then.' That sums up most broadcaster's relationship with their talent.

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The Office: Initially Gervais and the BBC at loggerheads

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