The Work Outing

Whoa, I just had to write this review, I am in the middle of this episode as I'm writing because I just couldn't continue watching this episode and breathe at the same time.

I'd just recently started watching this series and to say that I was impressed would be putting i mildly. I have seen the complete first season but not one episode of the six is as funny as the "After party" scene. This whole episode is a laughter riot but the scene that I mentioned is the peak. Honestly, I think that the whole comedy genre might have jumped the shark.

Any comedy fans out there I beg you to see this episode as I'm sure it won't let you down and as for the people who have just started watching IT crowd and are yet to see this episode... I envy you.

Now that I've regained my composure and I'm going back to watch this episode.

This could possibly be the quintessential example of Sit-com perfection. The jokes, while predictable at times, lose nothing as the rythm, delivery and timing are perfect. The facial expressions at to the humor and relatability. I've watched this episode dozens of times and I still can't stop laughing from beginning to end.

This is simply the best episode of the funniest programme on TV for decades. One of the things that British comedy does best is the "awkward situation" and this episode takes it to a new level only touched upon by programmes such as Fawlty Towers, Only Fools and Horses and The Office in the past. The comic-timing from all of the main characters but especially Moss is something that should be preserved in aspic for future generations of comedians to study.

The criticism from one of the other reviewers on here seems to mix-up bad-taste and homophobic humour with humour directed at those people who perpetuate such views. The jokes are not anti-gay but anti-bigot or anti-awkwardness.

I am not going to say anything about the "situation" of this comedy but just to say, if you want 20 odd minutes of literally tears-running-down- the-cheek joy then watch this.

Besides being the best IT CROWD episode of the series, I think that "The Work Outing" stands alongside some of the best sitcom half-hours of TV history.

The first series had established the groundwork of the three main characters, but had confined them to their workspace. But writer/director Graham Linehan opens up this season two premiere by "opening up" the physical space and taking his team to a theatre for the performance of "Gay: The Musical." The bits of the musical that we're allowed to see contain the wackiest songs since "Elephant!" (from "The Tall Guy") or "Springtime for Hitler" (from "The Producers"), but what's even funnier are the situations that Jen, Moss and Roy get involved in while on their "outing." The comic timing of this episode, and the clever way that Linehan builds the pay-offs to his gags, are priceless.

You might also want to pause your DVD on the theatre poster, where you'll see the names of many of the crew listed as part of the cast.

It's a bit more like "Seinfeld" than "The IT Crowd," but it's consistent with what we already know about the characters. I've watched this episode several times and never tire of it.

Never has anything funnier ever appeared on TV in any country ever. Ever. If you haven't seen this episode, immediately add it to your bucket list.