DiscoverThe Problematic GazeSatire or Just Offensive? Revisiting The Office UK’s ‘Training’ Episode from 2001
Satire or Just Offensive? Revisiting The Office UK’s ‘Training’ Episode from 2001

Satire or Just Offensive? Revisiting The Office UK’s ‘Training’ Episode from 2001

Update: 2025-09-16
Share

Description

In this episode of The Problematic Gaze, we take a closer look at one of The Office (UK)’s most painfully awkward episodes: “Training.”

From David Brent’s relentless need to perform authority to the complete breakdown of professionalism, “Training” is a masterclass in how power, ego, and insecurity collide in everyday workplaces.

We break down how the episode uses discomfort as comedy, what it reveals about early 2000s office culture, and whether the cringe still lands—or just feels exhausting.

Is Brent a mirror of real-life managers... or something much darker?

And who doesn't love Tim and Dawn's romantic rollercoaster?

The Office 'Training'  Click here to watch our chosen episode on IPlayer

Click here to follow us on all our socials

Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.
 
And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at theproblematicgaze@gmail.com. We love hearing from you!

Gazer Homework: Next week we discuss classic US crime Drama 'Cagney and Lacey  Click here to watch our chosen episode on IPlayer


Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
1.0x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Satire or Just Offensive? Revisiting The Office UK’s ‘Training’ Episode from 2001

Satire or Just Offensive? Revisiting The Office UK’s ‘Training’ Episode from 2001

David Moor and Lee Arnott