Ricky Gervais

[Steve Crook]

I just realised that we've been very negligent here and haven't had any messages for some time about what a plonker Ricky Gervais is

How about this interview in the Observer from 20 April...

I don't read books. I'm sorry. I can't. I can't read books, other people's books. After the first sentence, the first paragraph, I'm off on my own scenario. It's no longer their book. I'm not reading it any more, I've put it down before turning the first page, I'm writing my own chapters, fitting in my own characters, trying to make it take off my way. So this would happen, then that would happen, of course that character would ... no, it's hopeless, so now I just don't.

What a plonker

Steve

[donna]

this man is overrated and unfunny dont get it at all, he comes on , makes silly faces times beautifully but says nothing of any real importance or humour, hes one lucky man I can tell you.

[Steve Crook]

He managed to convince all the TV reviewers that he's the funniest thing they've ever seen on TV. Mainly by saying repeatedly "I'm the funniest thing you've ever seen on TV". But it's really a case of The Emperor's New Clothes - and people are beginning to realise.

I've done my best to play the part of the small child in the fable

Steve

[christoph404]

I quite enjoyed the Christmas edition of "Extras" where he ends up on Celebrity Big Brother, had only seen little snippets of the rest of the series but that episode I thought was ....well pretty good.......Now then..where did I leave my coat

[davidb]

the guy deserves a medal for debunking all that middle management bull that they come out with . i sometimes cant keep a straight face on the odd occasion im brought in for a "training day " thinking about "that "episode

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by davidb the guy deserves a medal for debunking all that middle management bull that they come out with . i sometimes cant keep a straight face on the odd occasion im brought in for a "training day " thinking about "that "episode

Oh, so he invented the debunking of it. Not everyone else who's been debunking it for the last decade or more

Steve

[penfold]

Originally Posted by christoph404 I quite enjoyed the Christmas edition of "Extras" where he ends up on Celebrity Big Brother, had only seen little snippets of the rest of the series but that episode I thought was ....well pretty good.......Now then..where did I leave my coat

You're not alone, by any chalk....despite Steve's best efforts, there are those here that do appreciate his work.....

[ShirlGirl]

Work - is that what it is!

I find it quite a job to watch him, so I don't - but I would if I got paid for it.

[donna]

I actually feel uneasy hoping he will be funny as hes out of his depth.

[scholes]

It is quite understandable that Gervais is unpopular, especially when reading an article like that. We do like our celebrities to carry at least a modicom of modesty.
Not everyone immediately latched on to The Office, it was that good you weren't quite sure if it was reality TV.
Yet, we are talking about a creative mind that transported his experience in an office into a brilliant idea for a sitcom, and which I hasten to add is one of the best of all time. No idle boast either. I'm old enough to remember comedies from the late-sixties, and if cathartic belly laughs are anything to go by, then Gervais is a very successful provider.

Extras was a great idea for a sequel, and it also transformed his co-writer Stephen Merchant into an award winning comedian.
The character Andy Millman was as self-depracating as David Brent was self-delluding. A nice contrast, I thought.
Whilst I don't think his stand up routine is as good as others in this field, there is no doubt that the man has talent.

[davidb]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook Oh, so he invented the debunking of it. Not everyone else who's been debunking it for the last decade or more Steve

i never suggested that he invented it !, as for "everyone else" they didnt have their own primetime tv show called the office ,which is the place where middle management bull originates ,or played a middle manager who makes a fool of himself using it for that matter .perhaps they were too subtle for me !