The University of Idaho Argonaut

Watching Ricky Gervais as boss-from-hell David Brent is the most painful viewing experience that anyone could ever enjoy.
The hit BBC show “The Office” has inspired many versions all over the world, including the U.S., but there is only one original.

It’s one of the best comedies ever on television, but it’s also one of the hardest to watch.
While many comedies are based on characters that the audience will like and identify with, “The Office” puts its characters in horrible situations.
Brent is so terribly embarrassing that you almost have to look away at some points in the show because it’s too much to handle.

Some might ask: How can this make anyone laugh?
Well, somehow all of that pain works.
The cast includes the lovable Tim Canterbury and Dawn Tinsley, two office workers who are hopelessly in love, but can’t be together.

Gareth Keenan — the horribly annoying suck up who is always the victim of Tim’s practical jokes­ — and a whole office’s worth of awkward people. 
The romance between Tim and Dawn keeps the show light-hearted and fun, but the bad boss makes the show unique and gives it its edge.

Unlike the U.S. version of the show, which is a very watered down adaptation, there is almost no point during the show that the viewer is not uncomfortable.
Viewers don’t grow to love the suck up in the office, or start understanding the boss, you are just horrified by their actions.

In addition to the show’s two seasons, there is also a two-part Christmas special which gives the show a nice little ending. In the two-part special, you go from thinking that David Brent might kill himself to thinking he actually might have a chance to become a better person.
It’s a painful journey, but making it the end of the two hilarious seasons is a joy.
Creators Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais’ wicked sense of humor is a refreshing break from the television norm. Their second BBC series “Extras” is also on DVD and equally as funny and excruciating to watch.