‘Office Special’ picks up comical story
The world’s most painfully funny comedy returns to tie up loose ends.
“The Office Special” (6 and 9 p.m., BBC America) continues the “mockumentary” coverage of delusional middle manager David Brent (series creator Ricky Gervais) and his former white-collar colleagues.
Set three years after the conclusion of “The Office,” a two-season comedy honored with a Golden Globe and too many British honors to mention, “Special” finds David reduced to selling office-cleaning supplies out of his car. He blew his sizable severance package by producing a music single and excruciating accompanying video, seen and heard here at painful length.
As the quasi-famous star of a documentary series, he’s now hired an agent who gets him gigs with other D-list celebrities, such as one on a “Dating Game” parody at a pub in which he appears with a veteran of Britain’s “Big Brother.”
But not all of the agony belongs to David. Tim (Martin Freeman) continues to suffer day-to-day indignities and still holds a torch for Dawn (Lucy Davis), the former receptionist now living in Florida as an illegal alien and undocumented baby sitter.
The two-hour “Special” concludes as the entire gang reassembles for yet another memorable Christmas party. But first we must endure David’s clueless attempts to hang out at his old firm, as he clings to the notion that he’s needed there “for morale.”
He also goes on a series of blind dates set up by an Internet service. Not to give too much away here, but this offbeat slice-of-drudgery series does make room for several not-quite miserable endings.
“Broadway: The American Musical” (KSPS) wraps up with parts 5 and 6. “Tradition” (8 p.m.) chronicles the art form as it tries to stay current in the face of musical changes and civil unrest. For instance, “West Side Story” sets a gang war to Bernstein-Sondheim tunes; “Hair” becomes the first hit musical to feature an entire score of rock music; and hits like “A Chorus Line” and “Sweeney Todd” break new ground.
Part 6, “Putting it Together,” documents the British and corporate domination of the Broadway musical as “Cats” and similar fare become part of New York City’s efforts to show a tourist-friendly face to the world. AIDS cuts a swath through the theater community; musical theater finds an ally in Disney-animated musicals, leading to the Broadway re-imagining of “The Lion King” by Julie Taymor; and Mel Brooks dusts off his 1968 comedy to turn “The Producers” into the first blockbuster of the new century.
In what must be one of his last film appearances, illustrator Al Hirschfeld observes, “Oh, I’ve been hearing about Broadway disappearing ever since I put on long pants. I mean, it’s been the fabulous invalid. You know, but it survives, it survives.”
Other Highlights
One more eviction on “Survivor” (8 p.m., CBS).
A bookstore in need on “Will & Grace” (8:30 p.m., NBC).
Plastic surgery can be a killer on “CSI” (9 p.m., CBS).
Revamped teams take the competition to the streets on “The Apprentice” (9 p.m., NBC).
A missing domestic may have been kidnapped on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m.).
Corday’s act of compassion earns a reprimand on “ER” (10 p.m., NBC).
Scheduled on “PrimeTime” (10 p.m., ABC): the results of a survey on Americans and their sex lives.
Cult Choice
Stars of the TV superhero comedy (including Adam West, Burt Ward, Cesar Romero, Lee Meriwether, Burgess Meredith and Frank Gorshin) reprise their roles in the 1966 big-screen version of “Batman!” (5 p.m., Fox Movie Channel).
Series Notes
Gina’s work woes worry Joey on “Joey” (8 p.m., NBC) … A librarian lets her hair down on “Extreme Makeover” (8 p.m., ABC) … Wrestling on “WWE SmackDown!” (8 p.m., UPN) … Standup and sketches on “Blue Collar TV” (8 p.m., WB) … Animated improvisations on “Drew Carey’s Green Screen” (8:30 p.m.).
Deborah’s confession on “Life as We Know It” (9 p.m., ABC) … Lady Godiva almost ruins the Charm School on “Charmed” (9 p.m., WB).