The camera direction of this scene is outstanding. We start off assuming it's just Brent and Alex in the room. Then, out of nowhere, up pops the computer repair man to intrude on what is supposed to be a sensitive meeting. After Brent has demeaned Alex further by discussing the difference between midgets and dwarfs, we breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the horrendous midget conversation is over. Cue Gareth Keenan with his Elf question, as the camera moves to reveal he'd been standing there the whole time, adding yet further insult to this man's redundancy. After the conversation escalates into the realms of ridiculousness, all that remains is for the camera to finally pan to reveal the face of the computer repair man: no longer even pretending to be minding his own business, but a transfixed spectator of this surreal conversation.
Also the added delight of the camera panning to Alex when Brent asks 'What's the difference?' as shown in the behind the scenes, Ricky couldn't stop laughing at the midget part so it proves that he couldn't actually not laugh at that take and had to have the camera pan away.
Cara G yep. And Tim actually went on to help a gang of dwarves recover their lost mountainous homeland from a murderous dragon. So it all worked out in the end.
@J Ygb Comedic lines are all well and good, its about the delivery. Implying that something, anything.. Is a "comedic line" and must therefore be understood and taken at face value, well... Its retarded isn't it and shows no knowledge of what comedy is I say comedic lines therefore they must be funny and I must be funny Dont think it works like that
I've seen this show a million times but never noticed they prolonged david brent staring at him at 1:34 by reversing the footage halfway, it stands out like a sore thumb. Now I've noticed it I'll never unsee it.
This has to be one of the most outstanding scenes in the history of TV. The acting, dialogue, directing, pacing, comedy and seriousness together.....wow.
"It's out of my hands. And even it it were in my hands, my hands are tied." I love this quote and have used it for breaking bad news to my subordinates ever since I first heard David Brent say it.
I love how Brent is such a bad manager that he chooses the smartest warehouse guy to fire (compared to the other warehouse guys shown later in the series
At 1:33 the way Gareth lifts his head gradually is hilarious because it's like he's waiting in anticipation for the answer and the lift of the head is a sign to the guy to do it. Brilliant.
My favourite part of this is when Gareth asks him what an elf is. He looks around in astonishment towards the camera crew, as if he's thinking 'are you actually being serious?' The camera then focuses on Gareth and David, both completely stone-faced, whilst finally focusing back to the bloke, who now realises they're both being serious and reluctantly answers the ridiculous question.
The body language is as important as the words spoken in the UK Version. Thats imo the defining strength of the UK Version. Great acting and the emphasis on Body Language and perfect Timing !!!
One of the greatest comedy episodes ever to be written. The guy is getting fired, and they just start talking about elves, midgets and dwarfs 😂😂😂. Absolute Classic
@@userin1804 brent has to fire this guy because he arrogantly gave him a job as a gesture to show off without checking the guy out. So he has to make him redundant
What a great CV Neil Fitzmaurice has - this legendary scene in the office (as well as the very opening scene in episode 1), Jeff in Peep Show, and Ray-Von in Phoenix Nights. Not to mention in real life that as a Liverpool fan, he was a survivor of the horrific Hillsborough disaster.
"So what's a Goblin?" - The it guy is amazing. Brent decides to fire someone (an important moment) while the it guy is fixing his computer. Ricky Gervais is comedy gold.
this is pure genius... the IT technician at 0:13, Gareth at 1:27, all 3 at 1:52... and the conversation "what's the difference", "what's an elf"... holy god... has to amongst the best ever
This entire clip is smothered in undeniable comical genius... That we can all agree on, but in my opinion the confused stare of the man at 2:04 is just perfect.
Such a classic bit of comedy. They're all somehow in their own little worlds, barely held together with the subtle words of the subject matter. Genuis.
I love that in the Bloopers for this scene, Ricky is shown falling apart every time he says the word "dwarf". He clearly couldn't gather himself enough to say that line and keep a straight face because the camera pans away from him once he says, "what's the difference?", the line that precedes the line with the word "dwarf". An underrated scene, in my opinion.
That's the point. David kept employing people at a time Wernham Hogg wanted to make redundancies, and had to make all the people he employed redundant (as well as pensioning off older members of staff like Malcolm).
@@RaferJeffersonIII been so long since I’ve seen that show that I can’t remember if it was good or not. All I remember is I used to have a friend who was obsessed with it and he was rlly fucking annoying
It’s so funny how David perceives hormones as something bad because dwarfism is caused by hormone deficiency, as someone would say « bloody cancer cells » he says « bloody hormones » 😂😂😂
The fella at 2:01 is Ron Merchant, Stephen Merchant, who co-created, -wrote, and -directed The Office and plays Nathan, "The Oggmonster"'s father. David Brent once mentioned his friends, "Ron and Eileen" which are the names of Steve's parents.
I remember hearing a story Karl Pilkington told when his mum phoned him up congratulating him being on an episode of the offices when re-runs were playing. It ended up just being the bald technician guy.
You know what the funniest part is , the first scene in the first episode of The office shows David hiring him , and at the end of season shows him firing him
Its amazing how they all turn against him like its the Spanish Inquisition. Gareth suddenly takes the position of the judge, like this is the main reason he came to David's office! Brilliant in so many ways, script, acting, camera work how they are ideally cast. One of the best comedy scenes ever.
A man who can distinguish between a dwarf and a midget is an asset to any company.
+mortensen egbert midget sounds funnier, but dwarfs look funnier...LOL
agreed
+mortensen egbert wowwee what a legend
is that what you really believe??
+Alex861697 Heh. Nah. Joke. I was joking.
Better be careful talking about Elves and such, the Hobbit might overhear from the next room.
They don't actually exist though, do they? In real life.
@Raskolnikov About 3 1/2 feet.
This was the top moment of the scene
That is such an underrated comment. Was that intentional?
horibel thing to say
The camera direction of this scene is outstanding. We start off assuming it's just Brent and Alex in the room. Then, out of nowhere, up pops the computer repair man to intrude on what is supposed to be a sensitive meeting. After Brent has demeaned Alex further by discussing the difference between midgets and dwarfs, we breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the horrendous midget conversation is over. Cue Gareth Keenan with his Elf question, as the camera moves to reveal he'd been standing there the whole time, adding yet further insult to this man's redundancy. After the conversation escalates into the realms of ridiculousness, all that remains is for the camera to finally pan to reveal the face of the computer repair man: no longer even pretending to be minding his own business, but a transfixed spectator of this surreal conversation.
add to the fact that the guy who is being fired is sounding more intelligent than david brent with his vast knowledge
Thats the beauty of this show. Small details like this.
Also the added delight of the camera panning to Alex when Brent asks 'What's the difference?' as shown in the behind the scenes, Ricky couldn't stop laughing at the midget part so it proves that he couldn't actually not laugh at that take and had to have the camera pan away.
I did not notice the camera direction too much, but your assessment of it made it a lot funnier after a second viewing. xD
how long you gonna be, mate?
After this, Jeff went on to work at JLB Credit, so not a total loss :P
In real life. After JLB UK folded he went on work at Shapiro finance
I heard he went on a long depressing streak after this and became a neo nazi.
Cara G yep. And Tim actually went on to help a gang of dwarves recover their lost mountainous homeland from a murderous dragon. So it all worked out in the end.
David Brent was his boss then Johnson jesus
Also worked as a DJ at the Phoenix club
I absolutely lose it when it pans from Gareth's face, to David's face, to the IT guys face!
Brilliant
The IT guy is Stephen Merchant’s father.
Jason Lefler isn’t the cleaner Stephen merchants dad who just stares at the camera?
Seek and Destroy Yes, absolutely.
I have no idea what I was thinking when i said that!
@@jasonlefler3456 the janitor guy always stare at the camera is the Merchant father
repair guy: so what's a goblin?
david: how long are you gonna be mate?
idk why but that cracked me up 😂😂😂
Perhaps because those two lines were fashioned for the purpose of comedy.
Murph 😂
@@KillProficiency you don't say
@@KillProficiency Haha.
@J Ygb Comedic lines are all well and good, its about the delivery.
Implying that something, anything.. Is a "comedic line" and must therefore be understood and taken at face value, well... Its retarded isn't it and shows no knowledge of what comedy is
I say comedic lines therefore they must be funny and I must be funny
Dont think it works like that
I've seen this show a million times but never noticed they prolonged david brent staring at him at 1:34 by reversing the footage halfway, it stands out like a sore thumb. Now I've noticed it I'll never unsee it.
Whoa nice catch!
Damn, you have a keen eye
It's probably because Ricky couldn't keep a straight face and they needed the take!
1:59 - That's Stephen Merchant's real life father.
Bloody hell. Well spotted
"I just wanna know how come he knows so much about midgets."
Classic Gareth to be suspicious of a bloke's basic knowledge haha.
It's called an education. Lol
@@Al-kb2xl love that line didn't know they taught the difference between dwarfs and midgets on the school syllabus 😂
@beardedcollie39 when you're a doctor, I'll make an appointment
IMDB has a 9 out 10 rating for the US version.....
US version sucks. Unwatchable. From a yank.
"Anton is three-foot-four!"
"So are some children."
gets me every time
children dont work in warehouses
justinjha They certainly did in the Victorian era
Can’t replicate the same joke in China..
"Children aren't disabled, are they?"
@@Luca_86 🤣🤣🤣
This has to be one of the most outstanding scenes in the history of TV. The acting, dialogue, directing, pacing, comedy and seriousness together.....wow.
This can be said about so many scenes of the office, it’s just a masterpiece
"It's out of my hands. And even it it were in my hands, my hands are tied."
I love this quote and have used it for breaking bad news to my subordinates ever since I first heard David Brent say it.
I love how Brent is such a bad manager that he chooses the smartest warehouse guy to fire (compared to the other warehouse guys shown later in the series
Taffy?
@glyn hodges That's a good point. Brent might be smarter than we think
@@davidpetermcmorris857 Glynn
“That’s my dog shaggin’ ‘is dog.”
he's the most recently hired. he was hired at the very start of the series when david brent lied about his forklift drivers test.
bloody hormones
😂
This is comedy gold. The humor is so subtle and intelligent. This isn't your toilet humor, this is that classic British humor.
I love how he has the courtesy and patience to educate them about midgets and magical beings while in the process of getting fired 😅
I have being laughing like crazy he is soon funny
One of the best scenes from the entire series. The cleaner coming out of the cupboard and seeing the camera is absolute genius.
That's Steve Merchant's dad. He did a cameo for them.
At 1:33 the way Gareth lifts his head gradually is hilarious because it's like he's waiting in anticipation for the answer and the lift of the head is a sign to the guy to do it. Brilliant.
+Lee MillsRaggio Absolutely Spot on! Should have read this before posting! Superb!
"Not passing the buck. This was someone else's decision!"
"so what's a goblin?" I lost it!
"How long yer gonna be, mate?"
XD
My favourite part of this is when Gareth asks him what an elf is. He looks around in astonishment towards the camera crew, as if he's thinking 'are you actually being serious?' The camera then focuses on Gareth and David, both completely stone-faced, whilst finally focusing back to the bloke, who now realises they're both being serious and reluctantly answers the ridiculous question.
The body language is as important as the words spoken in the UK Version. Thats imo the defining strength of the UK Version. Great acting and the emphasis on Body Language and perfect Timing !!!
I keep trying to swipe your hair ikon off the screen...lol
@@annehathaway2107 Anne you are so lovely but so Dumb !
@@shashishekhar---- oh dearie dearie me.
One of the greatest comedy episodes ever to be written. The guy is getting fired, and they just start talking about elves, midgets and dwarfs 😂😂😂. Absolute Classic
Dont forget goblins...
1:07 - 1:10 Pure gold...acting at its best...A masterclass titled "how to take a cue and respond in acting" by Ricky Gervais.
Did you see how many takes that took? Its on the outtakes video.
So are children....brilliant!!
@@userin1804 brent has to fire this guy because he arrogantly gave him a job as a gesture to show off without checking the guy out. So he has to make him redundant
@@patriceaqa288 No, his mismanagement of the company has led to a lack of sales and cost-cutting.
Karl Pillington's mum thought the computer repair man was him hahaha Ricky tells it in an interview
Where can i see it
@@tommy32100 idk the exact interview but it’s in a compilation clip ua-cam.com/video/MGginTbudKU/v-deo.html
Skip to 3:16:56
Weird init
@@harryc505 😉
The apple didn't fall far from the tree, in his case.
The comic direction, of showing only 2 people meeting and then revealing gareth 1/2-way is inspired.
+pilninggas ...and the IT guy. What a scream.
shegocrazy that’s anton
@@barrycollins795 no, Anton drives a forklift in the warehouse.
Ravenkliff no that’s anton
@@barrycollins795 get gervais on the phone we gotta sort this
I like how they all stare him out waiting for an answer.
All this talk of Dwarves and Elves, then cut to Bilbo Baggins!
(I know he wasn't cast as Bilbo at the time)
Ian Holm is the only relevant Bilbo Baggins.
1:44 - 1:52 was comedy gold XD!!
especially 1:52
The art of the awkward silence
@@exspes very well spotted and explained.
"How long are you gonna be mate" gets me every time xD
That David Brent dwarf impression has to be the best dwarf impression ever
The head bobble gets me everytime
It how he wriggled his hands up his sleeves out of shot, in preparation for the joke that cracked me up.
I know the ones
Everyone involved in that scene deserves one or more awards.
What a great CV Neil Fitzmaurice has - this legendary scene in the office (as well as the very opening scene in episode 1), Jeff in Peep Show, and Ray-Von in Phoenix Nights. Not to mention in real life that as a Liverpool fan, he was a survivor of the horrific Hillsborough disaster.
Acclaimed Writer, as well...
So whats a goblin 😂😂😂 remember watching that scene sat on my own crying with laughter 😂
"So what's a Goblin?" - The it guy is amazing.
Brent decides to fire someone (an important moment) while the it guy is fixing his computer. Ricky Gervais is comedy gold.
this is pure genius... the IT technician at 0:13, Gareth at 1:27, all 3 at 1:52... and the conversation "what's the difference", "what's an elf"... holy god... has to amongst the best ever
I love US office because it's so sweet and warm but UK office is a thousand times better and funnier.
this is pure genius - I laughed so much I cried and it comes from a person who never even smile while watching comedies
This entire clip is smothered in undeniable comical genius... That we can all agree on, but in my opinion the confused stare of the man at 2:04 is just perfect.
Stephen merchants dad! (Really)
brilliant writing!brilliant acting and timing!!! a masterpiece
Everyone has their favourite scene from The Office... This is mine.
The double take at the guy fixing the computer is classic.😂😂😂
I love the bit where he rolls his eyes before explaining to David and Gareth what an Elf is, like he's explaining simple spelling or something lol
'It's out of my hands, and even if it were in my hands, my hands are tied'
"I'm not passing the buck - this is someone else's decision ..." 🤣
The greatness of this show summed up in under three minutes
0:11 Love when the guy pops into view, ignoring the conversation.
“Oh I know the ones” does movements lol
The resemblance at 2:47 cracks me up
"Oh, I know the ones!", then proceeds to mimic a dwarf. lol!
Absolute gold..the look on the computer tech guy 🤣🤣
Such a classic bit of comedy. They're all somehow in their own little worlds, barely held together with the subtle words of the subject matter. Genuis.
This scene is absolutely hilarious -worth every second. Love Gervais' facial expressions 0:28 1:15 1:23 1:35 1:40 2:39
Gareths face at 1:48 as he’s processing all this information is priceless
Even the fork operator did brilliant acting
"Do you wanna answer that?"
I love that in the Bloopers for this scene,
Ricky is shown falling apart every time he says the word "dwarf".
He clearly couldn't gather himself enough to say that line and keep a straight face because the camera pans away from him once he says, "what's the difference?",
the line that precedes the line with the word "dwarf".
An underrated scene,
in my opinion.
The Office is a masterpiece
A 3' 4" forklift driver! :o
Fun fact, this guy was in the first ever scene for the office, getting hired by David. How times change...
That's the point. David kept employing people at a time Wernham Hogg wanted to make redundancies, and had to make all the people he employed redundant (as well as pensioning off older members of staff like Malcolm).
Another fun fact. The random bloke in the blue overalls that stares at the camera at 2:01 is Stephen Merchant's real life Dad.
This scene alone tops the entire US remake
never watched the US version but it has a 9 out 10 rating on IMDB
@@paulrichards6894 and?
@@YodaOnABender no i love the British version never seen the US version ......i am just saying the US version is highly rated
US office remake is about as good as Mrs browns boys
@@RaferJeffersonIII been so long since I’ve seen that show that I can’t remember if it was good or not. All I remember is I used to have a friend who was obsessed with it and he was rlly fucking annoying
I love how David goes straight to Ronnie Corbett as his example because he's always going on about classic comedy
It’s so funny how David perceives hormones as something bad because dwarfism is caused by hormone deficiency, as someone would say « bloody cancer cells » he says « bloody hormones » 😂😂😂
"So are some children" 😂😂
i have dwarfism and i was laughing my ass off at this scene 😂😂😂😂
i love that they used this clip on a training course for work😂
I watched this a hundred times and still laugh out loud 😂 brilliant writing
Love brent’s dwarf imitation lmao
"so whats a goblin" has to be the line of the scene
1:53 .. That moment when you realise you're the smartest guy in the room...
The fella at 2:01 is Ron Merchant, Stephen Merchant, who co-created, -wrote, and -directed The Office and plays Nathan, "The Oggmonster"'s father. David Brent once mentioned his friends, "Ron and Eileen" which are the names of Steve's parents.
"There are supernatural beings, they are like fairies"
Brent: They don't actually exist do they?
2:35, IT repair guy is fully invested in the discussion
"Do you wanna answer that" is absolutely the best line here
This scene is better than any scene in the US version
I remember hearing a story Karl Pilkington told when his mum phoned him up congratulating him being on an episode of the offices when re-runs were playing. It ended up just being the bald technician guy.
1:33 BEST PART: Cut To DAVID waitin for answer: "What's an elf?"
This guy was in Phoenix Nights, Peep Show and The Office. What a resume!
with...JEFF?
Benjamin Davies 😂😂😂😂😂
I can always tell its getting near Xmas when the BBC start to bombard my feed with old comedy clips.
The elf question caught me offguard, even thugh I read the title, great stuff! :D
Stephen Merchant's dad as the janitor there
"This has been imposed upon me
"This has been imposed upon me" Vintage Jeff from Peep Show.
Jeff’s doing a joke.
What great dialogue!
When Brent goes “what’s the difference?” you just know that must have been a difficult take for Ricky to get through 🤣🤣. I can almost see him corpsing
Back here for a fix, after another utterly thrilling day in the office 🤣 Oh my days, it's perfection. Genius.
2:04 is Steve Merchant's dad
I think I'm right in saying that the caretaker looking into the camera is Steve's dad
You know what the funniest part is , the first scene in the first episode of The office shows David hiring him , and at the end of season shows him firing him
@glyn hodges unless ur Brent
"They don't actually exist, do they? In real life..?"
"I'm not passing the buck, this is someone else's decision, I didn't wanna do this!"
The fact there is a man under the desk fixing things whilst hes making someone redundant is hilarious 😆
Its amazing how they all turn against him like its the Spanish Inquisition. Gareth suddenly takes the position of the judge, like this is the main reason he came to David's office! Brilliant in so many ways, script, acting, camera work how they are ideally cast. One of the best comedy scenes ever.
This is brilliant , this , peter kay , Alan partridge. Just so funny 😂
Bloody hormones...🤣🤣🤣😘 gets me every time
Stress meeting and Beegees song in office and elf discussion of brits office. Are all time great tv
“So what’s a Goblin?” Is one of my favourite literary lines of all time!
🐐✍🏼
“That’s not a disability. That’s just small” gets me every time. I wish people mentioned it more often lol.
The way he imitates a dwarf in the space of 3 seconds gives you an exact image of the type of dwarf he is referring to.
The custodian staring at the camera kills me every time
Creme de la creme of British comic writing, timeless. Such a shame to see Gervais morph into Brent IRL.
Bits like the double take on the maintenance guy is what made this comedy gold