David Brent; life on the road.

[Profpointy]

Apparently people used to write to the Beeb to complain about Alan Partridge thinking he was a real presenter...

An easy mistake to make to be fair. How are you supposed to tell the difference after all?

 

[Profpointy]

To be fair I was in the car years ago when I turned the radio over to R4 to hear a phone in show with such absurd characters and opinions I could.t believe I was on the right station, compelling listening in a disbelieving way for about 5 minutes or so before the penny dropped and I have enjoyed Down the Line ever since.

I loved that and thought i brilliant, but sadly I don't think people too to it so it was dropped - unless I'simply missed any further series.

 

[Salty seadog]

I loved that and thought i brilliant, but sadly I don't think people too to it so it was dropped - unless I'simply missed any further series.

Yes, there were more, I think at least 3 series, it pops up on the bbc radio player comedy section 2/3 times a year.

 

[PaulB]

When you see him being himself on a chat show it does come across as if he doesn't have to act too much.

I've always thought that Gervais and Cogan are quite similar, both have written and performed some good stuff, but both come across as the kind of people you wouldn't want to go for a drink with.

I wouldn't have thought so....
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIJBDSBRCqM

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Thing is, Gervais really is like Brent.

I'm glad to hear it's not just me, he along with Melvyn Brag are I think the only 2 people who make me leap for either the off or channel change button.

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

Although Alan Partridge and the office were funny and very clever there was something so pathetic about the characters that they were often embarrassingly cringe making and hard to watch.

Whilst Partridge and Brent are both wonderful characters, expertly played and at times difficult to watch, I think Partridge really is supposed to be the rather unlovable idiot he appears to be but Brent, although a cringe-worthy knobber at times, has some very likeable traits - his heart's in the right place so to speak - and while laughing at Partridge is easy, for me, laughing at Brent is tinged with a feeling of sadness for someone who is not quite beyond help and could be a decent person if he wasn't such an arse... I think we've all known a few Brents in our time....

 

[TwickenhamCyclist]

If I was MontyVeda I might take offence at that? Thing is, Gervais really is like Brent.

I've always thought Brent was basically just the exaggerated persona of Garvais...

 

[Crackle]

I can appreciate the genius of Gervais without actually liking it. I generally can't watch it because it makes me cringe and wince. It's painful viewing.

 

[swee'pea99]

I can appreciate the genius of Gervais without actually liking it. I generally can't watch it because it makes me cringe and wince. It's painful viewing.

Reminds me of when I tried to introduce my youngest to Fawlty Towers. What I found funny, she found too painful to watch: 'This is all about despair and humiliation', she protested. 'Yes,' I said, 'Isn't it hilarious!'

 

[ColinJ]

I'm glad to hear it's not just me, he along with Melvyn Brag are I think the only 2 people who make me leap for either the off or channel change button.

What, you actually like the Go Compare opera singer ...!

 

[Deleted member 26715]

I've always thought Brent was basically just the exaggerated persona of Garvais...

They are both the same person in both mind & body

 

[Deleted member 26715]

What, you actually like the Go Compare opera singer ...!

Can't say that I do, although they very cleverly turned the table once they realised the public feelings towards the character, it would be good to know, if this was intentional or a result of the public reaction.

As to putting him in the same vain as Gervais & Bragg, I actually think I could sit through 10 minutes of his singing, but no way could I sit through 10 minutes of either of them.

 

[ColinJ]

Can't say that I do, although they very cleverly turned the table once they realised the public feelings towards the character, it would be good to know, if this was intentional or a result of the public reaction.

As to putting him in the same vain as Gervais & Bragg, I actually think I could sit through 10 minutes of his singing, but no way could I sit through 10 minutes of either of them.

I never leave the ad on long enough to find out what happens next!

 

[jonny jeez]

Out of interest.

How many of those who are adamant that Brent and patrridge are exactly like the actors who portray...and even write their characters...have met the actor.

At the end of the day the only frame of reference we all have is an extended public persona.

Gervais and cougan are unlikely to come onto an interview /media site and be just like you and me.

How dull would that be?

Cougan did a travel comedy (was it the trip or the journey)...he played a very different, bitter, intelligent, torn, unlikeable and uninteresting character in that.

Was that him too?

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Out of interest.

How many of those who are adamant that Brent and patrridge are exactly like the actors who portray...and even write their characters...have met the actor

For info I have never met either but if ever the offer came for Gervais I would turn it down, I have never seen any other persona in anything else he had ever done, even as a would be pop star.

Steve Cougan on the other hand I think it's a very clever & skilled comic