Ricky Gervais

take everything · 09-06-2010 3:35pm

Dudess wrote: »

I enjoy The Office (the American one moreso - Steve Carrell is better in the role than Gervais, even though Gervais was very good) and Extras, but his stand-up is terrible and he comes across in interview as an awful twat - and extremely unfunny.

Ah Dudess you're not serious.

Steve Carell's funny but not nearly as funny as Ricky Gervais's Brent IMO.

In fairness any interview i've heard him do, i think he's come across as polite and humble and engagingly honest- i think any unendearing trait in interviews is always ironic.
TBH it's easy to think he'll be a pr1ck but invariably and surprisingly he's not.

Edit: actually i should qualify the above any movies he's done have been pretty shit.
But yeah IMO The UK Office (especially) was one of the funniest things on TV in recent years.

phasers · 09-06-2010 3:36pm

I'm actually with Dudess on this, I think Steve Carell plays the role much better than Gervais.

Grumpypants · 09-06-2010 3:47pm

I like him mainly for the XFM show and podcasts which i listen to when travelling really makes the time pass.

The Office was brilliant but that was mainly written by Merchant (lanky agent in extra's). It actually started as Merchants project while doing a producers course at the BBC. They liked it so much they asked them to make a pilot.

Extras had its moments mainly Barry from eastenders and the agent. The celebs taking the piss was funny but Ricky wasnt really but the part was written like that.

Stand up stuff i think is ok some very funny bits some not so much saw him live and enjoyed it.

I always laugh when people say he is an obnoxious twat he makes jokes like that but some people arent bright enough to realise he is joking !!

I cant believe some one said Alan Partridge and Curb are not funny 2 of the best shows ever made.

take everything · 09-06-2010 3:58pm

I don't understand it when people say he's arrogant and an arse in interviews.
A large basis for his comedy is taking the piss out of his own physical appearance for example.

Check this out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS_WmeALz7E

IMO that's one of the funniest scenes in the series but it wouldn't work without his willingness for self-deprecation.

Same with Steven Merchant here- "Goggle-eyed freak":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R__4C1y1REo

Again one of the better scenes in The Office not least because they eschew any insecurity they may have about their appearance for the sake of a really good laugh.

If these guys do show any arrogance it's because they're so funny.

orourkeda · 09-06-2010 4:00pm

Caiden Fierce Clover wrote: »

Though the Office was superb, just started watching it again actually, so good it's hard to watch

His stand up is about as funny as puppies nailed to a tree though

You have got to be joking.

Easily the most overrated of the last 10-15 Years and one of the most overrated programmes of all time.

SV · 09-06-2010 4:06pm

Ricky Gervais is the kind of guy who'd be one of the 'funny guys' as a friend but as a comedian..it just doesn't work

epgc3fyqirnbsx · 09-06-2010 4:07pm

orourkeda wrote: »

You have got to be joking.

Easily the most overrated of the last 10-15 Years and one of the most overrated programmes of all time.

Nope, I loved it and I can be pretty hard to please. Had to power to make me look at it through my hands and break my bollocks laughing at the same time. The only comedy I ever bought a box set for.

You see, the reason that you think it's overrated is because you're wrong :P

iMax · 09-06-2010 4:07pm

Liked him in the office & extras, but I get the feeling he's not really "Acting" His movies aren't the best. Would love to see them do another Office special though, maybe take one of the (better) US series scripts & reunite everyone.

Saw him being interviewed on TV last weekend & he's lost a couple of stone in weight.

Thepones · 09-06-2010 4:08pm

The podcasts are epic stuff. They still crack me up and i have heard them all before.

Would also say the British Office is by far better the American version. Brent is just funny / cringy / sad / familiar all the same time!

Handsome Bob · 09-06-2010 4:10pm

I think he's very good at what he does, probably one of the best comics around right now, but nearly every interview he gives he just comes across as a smug little git with a chip on his shoulder.

take everything · 09-06-2010 4:10pm

orourkeda wrote: »

You have got to be joking.

Easily the most overrated of the last 10-15 Years and one of the most overrated programmes of all time.

Are you able to watch the "Mr. Toad" clip above and be unaffected by it?

The narrative in it, for one, IMO. is beautiful- going from a lesson about taking insults to demonstrating an inability to do just that when confronted with the reality.
And there are so many good lines in that.
"Leroy"- so ridiculously random.
"At least start on him..." is just sublime.

Do they all leave you cold?

Kazooie · 09-06-2010 4:14pm

The Office UK is up there as one of my all time favourite comedies. The ability to make you cringe while still laugh your hole off was just genius. I can't even watch the US version because it's just not the same. Extras was good in it's own right but was never going to be as good as the office.

The standup I have seen, Animals, Fame, Politics ? (thinik that's what it was called) all had me in stitches as well.

Can see why he might come accross as smug but he is one very funny man. He get's my vote.

Insane Rambling · 09-06-2010 4:22pm

The Office UK was comedy gold ! Up there top 5 shows of all time easily. While I like the US version it will never get near the original.

brummytom · 09-06-2010 4:27pm

I don't hate his comedy - well, I don't rate his stand-up at all it, it just doesn't make me laugh at all. There were some great bits in The Office though; Keith's Appraisal always gets me. Still agree it was considerably overrated. It was funny, not amazing.

His films are terrible; and I can't stand the man in interviews. 'Oh noo, you don't get it, it's all a character - it's him being ironic' is it now? Well it's shit; are you sure you're not just wishful thinking?

mink_man · 09-06-2010 4:50pm

he was funny in this...

skip to 1:30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToU3D7IJjRA

rovert · 09-06-2010 4:52pm

orourkeda wrote: »

You have got to be joking.

Easily the most overrated of the last 10-15 Years and one of the most overrated programmes of all time.

Oh that boards.ie meme

marwelie · 09-06-2010 5:00pm

Can't stand the man, hate the way he always laughs hysterically at his own jokes, tries way too hard. Films are rubbish, stand up just not funny.

In his defence, his speech about the cult of celebrity in the christmas episode of extras when he is in the Big Brother house is genius.

IM0 · 09-06-2010 5:00pm

if ever there was a time to say this and actually wish I could follow through with it its now

I would LOVE to kick him in the face.

he's funny, but he crosses alot of dodgy lines which although are funny, you cant say that kind of **** without first hand experience of it so that you're poking fun at yourself as well as anyone else. and saying "its ok I do alot of work for charity with them" [which is probably a lie, does not make it ok you TOSSER :mad:

I hope he gets mangled in a car crash one day. wanker.

rovert · 09-06-2010 5:18pm

marwelie wrote: »

Can't stand the man, hate the way he always laughs hysterically at his own jokes, tries way too hard. Films are rubbish, stand up just not funny.

In his defence, his speech about the cult of celebrity in the christmas episode of extras when he is in the Big Brother house is genius.

Absolute posts are absolute

Stratige · 09-06-2010 5:21pm

The man's a genius.

Brava · 09-06-2010 5:23pm

Dont think he's funny at all.

Rowley Birkin QC · 09-06-2010 5:28pm

I know a great friend and fellow boardsie will take serious umbrage at this but anyway;

The Office - Funny
Extras - Funny
Flanimals - Funny
Standup- Meh in the extreme.

Quality · 09-06-2010 5:34pm

never liked him, he deserves a good kick in the ghoulies!!

I think he suffers with that little man syndrome!!

Aidric · 09-06-2010 5:37pm

Stopped being funny or relevant a long while back.

ColmDawson · 09-06-2010 5:47pm

The Office is probably the best comedy I've ever seen. Extras was more like a normal sitcom, but still consistently hilarious. I loved his stand up (Animals and Politics were better than Fame, and I haven't seen Science) and I find his various comic mannerisms endlessly amusing. Go and listen to the radio show with Steve Merchant and Karl Pilkington, it's brilliant.

His arrogant persona is, I think, mostly a persona. Either way, he makes me laugh so I don't care if he is a twat.

09-06-2010 5:50pm

Absolutely loved him in this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_EXqdJ4L7I

and I liked extras...

knird evol · 09-06-2010 6:20pm

gervais and merchant at their best

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prEBuV-0Ljs

Ann22 · 09-06-2010 6:25pm

I agree wholeheartedly with an earlier poster who said you can't compare Michael Scott with David Brent...no way. They're totally different characters imo. The Us Office has caricaturish characters whereas the Uk version has more believable ones. Michael's a tit but he's more likeable than David Brent. I've often felt that Andy's character in the Us office would be more suitable to play a real David Brent type.

I do think Gervais is very talented. I loved the Office and Extras.I don't like his laugh either though, it's cringeworthy, I was horrified to find that he really does laugh like that:o...and I don't think he suits being a leading man in a romantic role with a glam leading lady. Grand for his part in Night at the Museum.

newballsplease · 09-06-2010 6:31pm

Im sorry, but if you dont find The Office or Extras funny, then you simply just dont get it.

Its genius. Steve Merchant is a legend also.

I agree, his moveis havent been great, but his standups are brilliant.
Dunno why people are saying hes a smug c**t. Its a kind of persona he puts across.
His podcasts with merchant and karl pilkington would have you pissing yourself with laughter.

Agricola · 09-06-2010 6:34pm

I think the public Ricky Gervais is very different to the private one. The smug, self satisfied, smarmy personality is mostly an act. Hes married to a woman he met when he was in his teens or early 20s and she seems a very quiet, reserved, intelligent person. If he was as big as arsé at home as he is on tv, i would expect him to be either on his 3rd failed marriage or have a trophy wife on his arm. Behind it all i think hes probably a decent fella who likes a laugh and would be great to go for pints with. Hes discovered a formula that has made him a multi-millionaire and his milking it while the milkings good. Fair play to him.

phasers · 09-06-2010 7:24pm

newballsplease wrote: »

His podcasts with merchant and karl pilkington would have you pissing yourself with laughter.

Yes, because of Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington. Gervais adds nothing (I suspect he added nothing to The Office either tbh)

storm2811 · 09-06-2010 7:29pm

Can't stand him,there was some funny parts in The Office,but I only really laughed at the dance.

ordinary_girl · 09-06-2010 7:33pm

The Invention of Lying was crap, but I love The Office and Ghost Town. And I really like his teeth. Odd, I know, but I think that's gone some way to me liking him.

newballsplease · 09-06-2010 7:36pm

phasers wrote: »

Yes, because of Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington. Gervais adds nothing (I suspect he added nothing to The Office either tbh)

Thats the most ridiculous thing ive ever heard....

you do know he co wrote and directed? and played the part of the main character?!

FearDark · 09-06-2010 7:37pm

The Office UK/US - Probarbly the funniest comedy shows EVER!

Extras - Is excellent with flashes of genius thrown in.

His movies are all muck so far, havn't seen Cemetary Junction yet.

The podcasts - Are.Simply.The.Best.Thing.I've.Ever.Heard. The word genius doesn't describe Karl Pilkington!

Standup - Another bit of genius by Gervais.

banshee_bones · 09-06-2010 7:38pm

The office was just not funny. But then I dislike cringe comedy anyway so meh.
Extras had some good bits, but they were usually the bits without him in them.

Haven't seen any of his films and I don't rate his stand up either.

consultech · 09-06-2010 7:39pm

Rest_Energy wrote: »

The Invention of Lying was crap, but I love The Office and Ghost Town. And I really like his teeth. Odd, I know, but I think that's gone some way to me liking him.

Actually yeah I forgot about Ghost town; I thought it was fairly good.

FearDark · 09-06-2010 7:39pm

phasers wrote: »

Yes, because of Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington. Gervais adds nothing (I suspect he added nothing to The Office either tbh)

You havn't a clue what youre on about. Seriously, he added nothing to The Office...?? apart from Co-writing in it and being the main star you mean? And the podcasts are simply genius, its Gervais who sets up Karl and Merchant all the time, imagine the show without him, it simply wouldn't work.

m@cc@ · 10-06-2010 1:37am

orourkeda wrote: »

Easily the most overrated of the last 10-15 Years and one of the most overrated programmes of all time.

You see, this term 'overrated' is banded about far to much these days. Who are you to say that something is overrated if a large number of people find it funny? I could as easily say you're 'underrating' it, doesn't mean a thing.

Jesus Juice · 10-06-2010 1:57am

The Office was excellent, but everything he did after he did after was terrible because he had no Stephen Merchant to write with him.

take everything · 10-06-2010 1:58am

m@cc@ wrote: »

You see, this term 'overrated' is banded about far to much these days. Who are you to say that something is overrated if a large number of people find it funny? I could as easily say you're 'underrating' it, doesn't mean a thing.

If it's commercially successful/liked by alot of people, it's automatically naff and dismissed, irrespective of how good it is.
I always think of it as the "Nevermind" syndrome.

starbelgrade · 10-06-2010 2:04am

take everything wrote: »

If it's commercially successful/liked by alot of people, it's automatically naff and dismissed, irrespective of how good it is.
I always think of it as the "Nevermind" syndrome.

Because people can't make up their own minds & form their own opinions?

How very dismissive of you.

ballsymchugh · 10-06-2010 2:10am

take everything wrote: »

If it's commercially successful/liked by alot of people, it's automatically naff and dismissed, irrespective of how good it is.
I always think of it as the "Nevermind" syndrome.

can't think of anyone that'd dismiss the wire!

10-06-2010 2:11am

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

he didnt get to write his own lines for the movies hes been in

He wrote the Invention of Lying and contributed to the script for Ghost Town so he has in effect wrote his lines for the films he's starred in.

take everything · 10-06-2010 2:16am

starbelgrade wrote: »

Because people can't make up their own minds & form their own opinions?

How very dismissive of you.

The album Nevermind.

starbelgrade · 10-06-2010 2:24am

take everything wrote: »

The album Nevermind.

Again, my point still stands. I didn't think much of "Nevermind" & I don't think much of Ricky Gervais. It's not because either were/ are hugely popular, simply that they don't appeal to my tastes.

I like a lot of things that are popular, so your theory doesn't really hold any water. I don't like/ dislike stuff based on it's relative popularity as I am sure most people don't.

To suggest otherwise is quite disingenous & dismissive.

m@cc@ · 10-06-2010 2:30am

starbelgrade wrote: »

Again, my point still stands. I didn't think much of "Nevermind" & I don't think much of Ricky Gervais. It's not because either were/ are hugely popular, simply that they don't appeal to my tastes.

I like a lot of things that are popular, so your theory doesn't really hold any water. I don't like/ dislike stuff based on it's relative popularity as I am sure most people don't.

To suggest otherwise is quite disingenous & dismissive.

I know what he's referring to. There are people who won't admit to liking something that commercially successful and prefer to make a point of liking some that's alternative. Not everyone, but these people do exist.

starbelgrade · 10-06-2010 2:32am

m@cc@ wrote: »

I know what he's referring to. There are people who won't admit to liking something that commercially successful and prefer to make a point of liking some that's alternative. Not everyone, but these people do exist.

I suppose that's true.

CHD · 10-06-2010 2:35am

Top of the range knobhead

starbelgrade · 10-06-2010 2:38am

If he was a knob on a guitar amp, he'd go all the way up to 11, Spinal Tap style.

Ricky Gervais

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