Ricky Gervais, producer, director, and writer of the British television show The Office, has become the first British writer to join The Simpsons. Matt Groening asked Gervais to join the writing staff because of his work on The OfficeGroening is a huge fan.

"It was embarrassing, because he was saying how much he loved The Office and I was saying how much I loved The Simpsons. It turns you into a nerd because I was quoting bits of the show back at him," said Gervais.

The pair met for lunch before Wednesday's British Comedy Awards in London, where Groening was given an outstanding contribution award. Gervais and co-writer Stephen Merchant also won a prize for their work on The Office.

Having agreed to write the script with executive producer Al Jean, Gervais said he had already completed a first draft. "I bang it down, give it to them, they make it funny and I claim the credit," he said. "I feel like I know Homer. It's a joy."

katiebarthedoor

Louisville, KY

December 2004

DEC 27, 2004 09:32 AM

ive never seen the office. but if your wondering who the best simpsons writer ever was...

[Edited on Dec 28, 2004 by katiebarthedoor]

Sebilrazen

Minneapolis, MN

November 2004

DEC 27, 2004 09:53 AM

They must have just geek-gasmed all over each other, Gervais and Groening.

'you're the greatest'
'no silly, you're the greatest'

j/k it should be a hilarious collabo

[Edited on Dec 27, 2004 11:53AM]

Hapworth

Morgan Hill, CA

December 2004

DEC 27, 2004 10:00 AM

I HIGHLY recommend seeing The Office to anyone who hasn't seen it. It is, quite simply, the best sitcom to reach the tele in years!

"I will not have her tunnel bandied about this office - willy nilly."

nickfear

La Verne, CA

October 2004

DEC 27, 2004 10:02 AM

Just when I thought the Simpsons where winding down some.... BOOM back in action!

poptard

United Kingdom

November 2003

DEC 27, 2004 10:12 AM

hjaha
cool

i just can't belive the atrsity tehy did when they remade the office for america,
glad that got pulled after 2 shows,

this though, this should rockl

Crazy88

Wilmington, DE

January 2004

DEC 27, 2004 10:25 AM

a reason for me to start watching the simpsons again.

gervais is hysterical

zenFish

Vancouver, BC

August 2004

DEC 27, 2004 10:28 AM

hopefully it makes the simpsons good again, sorry but they've sucked for a while now. family guy is so much better.

benizdead

United Kingdom

February 2003

DEC 27, 2004 10:29 AM

homer with a slough accent???!?!?

rockin' good news

Pav

I'm lost

February 2004

DEC 27, 2004 11:05 AM

G1 said:
i just can't belive the atrsity tehy did when they remade the office for america,
glad that got pulled after 2 shows,

this though, this should rockl

It's over already? I didn't even catch it. Probably for the best.

The original Office was the best show on TV ever.

"Now you do not punish someone, Dutch or otherwise for having big boobs.
If anything they should be rewarded.

skryche

New York, NY

January 2003

DEC 27, 2004 11:12 AM

Oh my god.

That's just crazy... and good!

geekgurl

Philadelphia, PA

June 2003

DEC 27, 2004 11:37 AM

Heehee! I'm all giddy with excitement. I think I might wet myself.

Hussein

I'm lost

March 2004

DEC 27, 2004 11:43 AM

G1 said:
hjaha
cool

i just can't belive the atrsity tehy did when they remade the office for america,
glad that got pulled after 2 shows,

this though, this should rockl

never bothered to watc the american office because i was sure it would suck in comparison. the original was pretty much perfect as is.

however, the british "sequel" they recently broadcast to tie up the plotlines of the original series also completely sucked and should be avoided by office fans at all costs.

HORUS73

Sun Prairie, WI

June 2003

DEC 27, 2004 11:54 AM

A writer from the Office? To kick mofo ass! I love both those shows to death ...

Wren

SUICIDEGIRL

Minnesota, USA

DEC 27, 2004 12:52 PM

You know, it was getting to the point where I was actually sort of hoping The Simpsons was going to be cancelled. It's embarassing, I can't stand to watch the new episodes.

I think it'll take more than one great writer to rejuvinate the show. How do they know he'll play off of the other writers well? Could be a disaster for all we know.

Gwendolyn

SUICIDEGIRL

Indiana, USA

DEC 27, 2004 01:30 PM

Wren said:
You know, it was getting to the point where I was actually sort of hoping The Simpsons was going to be cancelled. It's embarassing, I can't stand to watch the new episodes.

I feel the same way, although I hate to admit it. But at some point you just have to. I am a complete Simpsons fanatic, but I cringe when watching the new episodes. I just got the fourth season on DVD for Christmas, and I love watching all the old, classic, hilarious episodes.

And oh, I agree about Conan being the best writer they've ever had. But that really goes without saying.

Hunkpapa

United Kingdom

June 2004

DEC 27, 2004 02:34 PM

Am I alone in thinking this is terrible news? Ah well..

doghouse_reilly

I'm lost

February 2004

DEC 27, 2004 02:47 PM

I am convinced Ricky Gervais can do no wrong.

If anything could make the Simpsons funny again, it would be his involvement.

acetracer

Hollywood, FL

January 2004

DEC 27, 2004 02:54 PM

The show might actually be good again now.

mat8drb

United Kingdom

October 2004

DEC 27, 2004 03:10 PM

That'll be cool; and a better use of his time than starring in Alias. (Not that I;m jealous of sharing screen time with Jennifer Garner, oh, no, not at all.....)

Chrono01

Syracuse, NY

February 2003

DEC 27, 2004 03:47 PM

Hmm. I wonder if Gervais can make the Simpsons GOOD again. The last 5 years have seemed like a boring skipping record to me.

timmy55

United Kingdom

October 2002

DEC 27, 2004 03:48 PM

in_a_blue_state said:
never bothered to watc the american office because i was sure it would suck in comparison. the original was pretty much perfect as is.

however, the british "sequel" they recently broadcast to tie up the plotlines of the original series also completely sucked and should be avoided by office fans at all costs.

Yeah - I thought it sort of went against everything The Office was about. He was an idiot, a loser and he had a uniquely weird view of the world and his part in it. Then they gave it this really cheesy, predictable sitcom ending. The only thing I can think of in its defence is that they wanted to draw a complete line under it so that they would never be tempted to go back to the characters.

Anyone that's a fan of The Office should be looking forward to the new Chris Morris sitcom Nathan Barley - set around the London media scene.

SomethingStupid

North Hollywood, CA

March 2004

DEC 27, 2004 04:07 PM

Wren said:
You know, it was getting to the point where I was actually sort of hoping The Simpsons was going to be cancelled. It's embarassing, I can't stand to watch the new episodes.

I think it'll take more than one great writer to rejuvinate the show. How do they know he'll play off of the other writers well? Could be a disaster for all we know.

This pretty much sums up my every thought on this. The new episodes are just too stupid. I used to feel like I was watching one of the smartest (if sophomoric) shows on television. Now it's turned into one of the dumbest, and given the stupidity of most television, that's really saying something.

sideshowskut

Hopkins, MN

October 2004

DEC 27, 2004 05:02 PM

I think this can only end up good. After 16 years, the show is just running on empty (especially the last few years) & this may really help. I'm hoping it does cuz I think The Office is fantastic. It's so good that there are parts I can't watch cuz they're just so squirminly/uncomfortably fantastic. This could be the kick in the ass that The Simpsons has needed for a while.

thelastbeliever

United Kingdom

January 2004

DEC 27, 2004 05:15 PM

hunkpapa said:
Am I alone in thinking this is terrible news? Ah well..

Nope. I hated the office. I tried to like it, god knows i tried. There are only so many times you can watch Ricky Gervais looking suspicious and uncomfortable in front of the camera. Got boring very quickly.

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Portland, OR

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