Such a humble down-to-earth interview... and who would have thought 15 years later, he's become the most legendary host of any awards show in the history of award shows.

This is the smoothest interview I've ever seen, and effortlessly funny. You have to appreciate this is still relatively new for Ricky, on the biggest nighttime show in the US, if not the world. He's calm, delivers real life humour and interestingly shares his experiences. He does stand up whilst sitting down (and makes a pun of it), works with Dave, works the crowd, incorporates current affairs and does a bit, talks about working culture. The bloke's a genius, he knows what he wants, has confidence in his views, and knows exactly where he's going.

Letterman is genuinely listening and responding to Gervais. Doesn't feel fake like so many shows today

Dave seemed to actually appreciate Ricky & the Office. Genuine ppreciation.

The way he throws one joke after the other with his poker face is genius.

Pure genius. The office is a masterpiece of comedy. He laid down the blueprint in 12 episodes.

I remember that my English teacher in (my country's equivalent of) high school was such a big fan of British comedy, that he made us watch The Office in class once per week. Not everyone in class got the humor, but I loved it. We also read The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. He was one of the school's favorite teachers. He would always carry a mug of coffee and once in a while I asked him whether he would bring me one - mostly as a joke - but when he returned from the teachers lounge, he would have a cup for me as well. I also brought him coffee sometimes. When I entered the teachers lounge the other teachers would say "You cannot be here" and I'd respond with "I'm just bringing Michael a cup of coffee" and they'd immediately understand. XD He was fun and down-to-earth and he did a great job of teaching English (I'm a non-native speaker).

The office in UK when it came out many people thought it was a real documentary haha

If I have a bad day, I just watch a video of Ricky. He is brilliant, my favourite.

I still watch the British office regularly and it never ever gets old. Just complete genius like everything Ricky does. What a man he is , the office, extras, Derek, life's to short , After Life. Unbelievably funny and what a standard of work.

I think Ricky is wonderful in this interview, really enjoyed it.

Ricky’s reaction when lettermen says it’s gonna be hard to find someone as good as him for that role Is heartwarming

The bits of paper reference made me laugh. When I was doing my apprenticeship I was told to take some paper and a pen with me if i wanted to go and have a chat with someone in another building. It works. Nobody ever stops you.

Ricky Gervais is undoubtedly one of the funniest people around 😂

The difference on a structural level is that the British one leans a lot more into verisimilitude -- it's essentially a workplace mockumentary. The US Office, which is brilliant by the way, largely abandoned that except in the superficial way it was shot. It's MUCH more sitcom-y, it bases more of it's scenarios around joke and payoff where the original was simply content to let the humour come out of the situations and wasn't afraid to have genuinely uncomfortable moments too. The British Office is a work of art, full of real moments, some funny, some tragic. The American Office is more of a sitcom. A darn good one, but a sitcom nonetheless.

It was nice when the talk show host and the guest didn't pretend to be best friends.

I love this man! He is exceptionally humorous in a unique way.

"The Office" US became such a huge global success that it brought people to the original. What an achievement! One of the best sitcoms in the history of comedy on TV.

Ricky is just genuinely funny.

I remember flicking between channels here in New Zealand when the BBC The Office was on and watched for 20 seconds then changed the channel. I think I was just confused and maybe underwhelmed but now I must've seen the two seasons and Xmas specials a dozen times. It's some of the funniest yet cringeworthy TV ever created and pure genius.

It’s odd to see him so quiet and humble.

I love moments and segments like this, and that I get to see it all so easily, and of such good quality. What a treat. Big fan of both

It's so magical seeing Ricky Gervais being interviewed without the general public being aware just how funny he actually is.

I actually remember the incident of the New Yorker who had a tiger in his apt.🤣It was discovered when the neighbor below began complaining about the massive amounts of pee that was coming down into her apt. The police had a feeling about what they were dealing with and used one of those tiny wired cams to look in the apt window...and there was the tiger, just chillin'. lol

Derek and After life are 2 of Mt favourite TV shows ever, they have you laughing one minute, cringing the next, then crying your eyes out

Iconic interview!

He grew up in a normal, down-to-earth environment and worked in an office for 10 years. Famous people who had to pay their dues and grow up normally are often among the most level-headed and humble of them, mostly.

Proof that when you make the host of the talk show, in this case David Letterman, have a deep, genuine belly laugh, then the comic/audience knows that person is really funny. Gervais is absolutely a unique comic voice. Carson was the same, if you made Carson let out a side splitting laugh like Carson and Robin Williams, you knew that they were funny and everyone else recognized it too.

Ricky is just too funny. A natural talent 😂

I like that Gervais kid. I hope things turn out for him.

It looks like a historical moment, after watching both series several times

Ricky’s first appearance on the show!! Brilliant!

Interesting. You can tell he's a bit nervous because he's not laughing out loud like he often does.

Could listen to Ricky for hours for some reason...nobody else has that effect that I can think of

It sure worked out well for Ricky, he’s 190 million richer after the American version of Office!

Proof that a normal, nice guy can make it

his timing on "lunch": Impeccable

David is a superb communicator. Shows here. He speaks so clearly and distinctly - is exceptional.

How young and reserved he is. Salute Ricky you make me proud to be British 😊

When all is said and done, Ricky is my hero.

Ricky Gervais is one of the best exports Britain has ever had.. legend in the making!!!

"...it was a pleasure and I hope you come back." And that was the last time anybody ever heard from Ricky Gervais ever again.

Brilliant!!! I love anything Gervais does, really funny.

Aw this makes me nostalgic remembering these years watching Letterman late at night when tv was infomercials all night a few hours after this finished

How humble he was.

I think this is the only time I haven’t seen him shrieking with laughter.

Great looking back. Ricky great as always in what was a great interview

I worked in an office in the UK Civil Service for 15 years, and I know exactly what he means. Very funny man!

It is amazing how one can come (very) late to someone like Ricky Gervais. I am now in my '80's and originate from the Slough he features in his show. It was a place I loathed then, and have no reason to change my opinion. The place was a shithole, but my memories are not so antipathetic towards the people. The place was seemingly designed to despoil some of the most attractive scenery in the UK, so much s that the Poet Laureate (how about that for an antiquated title?) could write about 'Oh friendly bombs fall on Slough' and get away with it, as most thought the same. Eighty years ago, Ricky wouldn't have stood a chance of stating the obvious. More power to his writing elbow!

Is this the most together bloke you've ever heard? He's on a different level. The James bond without the gun skills. He still said spiritual & who is.?

Came from nowhere and had a normal job 😂. I have seen him on loads of things years before the office. Always funny and destined for great things. Nothing betters Afterlife.

A strong interview. Lightning in a bottle. I just bought DVDs of BBC The Office. 😝

"...the term standup scares me." He's a master of standup now.

This is a hilarious interview

Both are legends, nice to see this video

I hope you come back. Brilliant !!!

What a great talent we were lucky to get with Ricky 😎

That "journalist" who asked him about what would he save in a housefire was Ellen 😂😂 And he roasted her hard on her own show 😆😆

Wow I'm from UK and know a lot about Gervais but only now I learn that he was literally an office manager like David Brent!

One of the twins.... hahaha.... I still laughed at that .... guy's so funny

His comedy is so intelligent

“You see, in England, we don’t keep tigers as pets.” British understatement. 😂😂😂

It's funny to see him hear he's so much nicer in his earlier days.

Great interview

Personally I prefer the British version. Im not british but the humour in it seems to be coming from a more honest observation of human character. I believe them as real people. It makes me laugh yet at the same time reflect on the human condition.

Being neither Brit nor American I can recognize and appreciate the differences and similarities in both series. Each series was tailor made to suit the general local ambience, era and prevailing sense and style of humour to suit the local audience. A key difference was that The American Office carried on a lot lot longer, perhaps too long, which possibly is part of the reason it had a more soapy feel. I do like to go back and watch episodes from either series when I am in the need of reminiscing and escape.

Ricky is a LEGEND ⭐️❤️🥰

He is great really and genuinely laughed at his lines.

Ricky is such a brilliant writer and comedian, so talented but most of all I love his love of animals and all he does to bring awareness against their abuse. He donates a lot of money for them. I really wish he’d go after Sea World because his celebrity would do more than any other organization possibly could.

Ricky is very humble and pre-"I've realised what I'm capable of" here - Dave does a very good job too, as usual. I'm not really a fan of Ricky, but he's good in this.

"What do you think of American the office" "Well .. it's gonna make me a whoooole lotta money"

Ricky Gervais always cheers me up and David Letterman is the perfect host.

"Cats treat you like a mom or dad." He must have never had cats. Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.

thats not an interview... thats just a couple of mates having a laugh

Since the Globes, I love this guy.

Gervais was also hilarious when he appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm.

The office was great. But so was the follow up, Extras. All about struggling actors existing on the fringes of the British version of Hollywood. It has amazing guest stars and the episode with David Bowie is hilarious. David finds inspiration in Ricky's character's sad life and suddenly is compelled to improvise an impromptu song about him at a crowded nightrclub, much to Rickys embarrassment. Everyone joins in and sings along the chorus. And it's played so realistically, like Bowie was just struck with sudden inspiration and had to work out the song right there. The way he turns to the piano and starts working out the slightly condescending lyrics is one of the funniest moments I've seen.

Back when Ricky Gervais was just a chilled out entertainer.

The original Office is still comic gold and always will be

Didn’t see this one yet. Thanks!

In my top 3 comedy shows of all time. Beyond brilliant. And I would love a boss like David Brent. Play along and all goes well.

The Office is a masterpiece!! 😄

Didn't know the original version existed. Watched the US version for a few minutes and that was it.

I LOVE THIS GUY!!

"Sort of eyes, sticking out and touching his glasses.....Steve." - K. Pilkington

Gotta love Letterman. If you are funny he will laugh because he has a sense of humor. Genuine. If you come on with some blown up ego he will deflate that quickly. Honesty.

Ricky is awesome 👏

"He confuses popularity with respect" - best ever description for David Brent and Michael Scott

both series' of the office are completely different and yet equally hilarious in their own right.

"One of the twins" he's operating so far out of the mindset of the average person!

Great interview.

wow this is a special interview.. never thought id see this:)

That was a really nice interview. Ricky looks so young lol Lettermen's style seems to me to be so laid back but professional too. He seems to genuinely admire the Office. Interesting to see their meeting for the 1st time. As a Brit, I love Ricky. I was first aware of him on the 11o'clock show which was aired before the Office

it's funny rewatching this and listening to Ricky saying he came from nowhere (tv wise) when over the years, dozens of clips of him are available on here of when he was on tv before The Office !

Ricky's intelligence shines through because he is so subtly clever and incisive with words

I remember the first BBC TV trailer's for the 'New' show, which was shown at 10.30 pm, on a Monday I think. I was hooked right away.

Ricky has such class on all levels, such a talent, so sharp and quick, he just can't be matched

Love Ricky, it’s hard to compare the two Offices, British version, American version. Love them both, but the British version is pretty funny. And the best part is seeing the actors from the British Office in other movies and series.

Wow early appearance. Great find!

this interview is legendary