Ricky Gervais is a sometimes brilliant, often brave comedian. One of the few, along with Dave Chappelle, capable of staying brave and funny in the Orwellian social culture of today.

I didn’t know that The Office was his invention, based on working for seven years in an office. And prior to that, he was not a stand-up comedian, but a philosophy student.

Here he is at the beginning of his career with David Letterman. He’s so sweet and innocent. Yet his unique sense of humor is evident.