Brent goes to Hollywood

Hit comedy show The Office could be remade for American TV, it was revealed yesterday.

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, co-creators of the BBC2 sitcom, are in talks with US network NBC about shooting a pilot episode, it was confirmed.

The network, which has just started broadcasting the US version of another hit BBC comedy, Coupling, is keen to find replacements for two of its longrunning shows.

Friends and Frasier are both coming to an end and NBC hopes the BBC imports could fit the bill.

A spokeswoman for Gervais, who plays boss-from-hell David Brent, said: 'Ricky and Stephen are in negotiations with NBC but nothing is signed yet. They are just talking to NBC, for a pilot.'

The pair would work on the US version of the show in an advisory capacity, she added. They would help write the script for the pilot, together with executive producer Greg Daniels, co-creator of long-running US cartoon comedy King Of The Hill.

Coupling caused a stir in the US with its frequent and explicit sexual references.

Although two stations refused to broadcast it on grounds of taste, it proved popular with advertisers.

It has commanded rates of up to £200,000 for a 30-second slot, making it the sixth most expensive show with which to advertise on US TV.

Gervais and Merchant have ruled out making a third British series of The Office. However, they are editing two 40-minute Christmas specials of the show for BBC1.