The Office

Not that I'm obssessive or anything, but I've been spending a probably unhealthy amount of time watching The Office on DVD of late. It's a good thing it's on DVD, as tapes would probably have worn out by now. I've been through the whole lot time and time again, including special features, deleted scenes, out-takes, even the Easter Eggs. I guess it's one of those rare shows (like The Simpsons) that stand up to repeated viewings.

Anyway, I think I now know who the real star of the show is; Not David Brent (Ricky Gervais). Not Tim (Martin Freeman). Not Gareth (Mackenzie Crook). Not Finchy (Ralph Ineson). Not even Keith, the Scotch-egg-munching office fat bastard played by Ewan Macintosh.

It's this bloke, the office caretaker played by Ron Merchant*.

He only appears in a couple of episodes, and always does the same thing. He'll walk out of the store-room carrying some supplies, then catch sight of the camera, and stare, transfixed, into it.

OK, it doesn't sound like much when written down. But it's funny. No, really.

*Ron is the father of The Office co-writer/-director Stephen Merchant - who also appeared in the show as Gareth's mate Nathan (aka The Oggmonster, described by David Brent as a "lanky goggle-eyed freak").