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Ricky Gervais

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Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,320 ✭✭✭Teferi


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

    Don't be silly. Mockumentary comedy just doesn't work as good as regular sitcoms etc.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,273 ✭✭✭EuskalHerria


    Ricky had an idea in his head, by way of the office and went with it, wouldn't allow it to be watered down and we have a comedy that will be appreciated more with time.

    Extras was also a great tv show, absolute genius. The subtlety of some of the jokes aswell as it being layered and brilliant charachters and brilliant use of the celebrities makes it even better to the office in my opinion.

    His stand up is brilliant. There are so few comics like him. His interaction with the crowd and ability to hold an entire audience is a rare talent. The podcast series that has also been made into a television show is also great but thats largely due to Karl Pilkington.

    I think he has done what he has wanted to do without having to dilute the content of his ideas, which in the modern age has to be commended. He is one of the few stars of the world who genuinely does not want publicity or press and has rightfully spoke out against the celebrity culture that is so widely appreciated and pointed to those in society that seserve praise and to be role models yet are overlooked because of socialites like paris hilton.

    The ironic thing is this thread to the man himself would be (even more than its a forum thread) irrelevant due to the fact that he has made his shows, been rewarded and praised by his peers and experts and continues to be succesful in everything he does due to the fact that his style of comedy is unique and of a high quality.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,808 ✭✭✭take everything


    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.

    Yes the bit in bold.
    That the phenomenon exists (and that i suspect it's not exactly rare) was the take home point.
    Not that it is universal (as may have been inferred by the other poster).


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 9,425 ✭✭✭FearDark


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

    Your spouting serious shít from your arse there.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,111 ✭✭✭Jesus Juice


    FearDark wrote: »
    Your spouting serious shít from your arse there.
    The films hes written on his own have been terrible!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,273 ✭✭✭EuskalHerria


    The films hes written on his own have been terrible!
    He means that Stephen Merchant co-wrote Extras with Ricky, and also starred in it with him. He done the podcasts and XFM radio shows also and co-wrote and directed cemetery junction aswell with Ricky. So they didn't part ways after the office.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 243 ✭✭Tilt Gone


    Not sure about his shows since the Office, but his stand up gigs are hilarious. On this alone I reckon he's one funny ****er!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 23,316 ✭✭✭✭amacachi


    Who's to say how much he contributed to the writing of any of the shows he did with Merchant? Look at Peter Kay for an example of what happens when someone who's gotten the credit for others' work and tries to go it alone. If Gervais did 10% of the writing Merchant did but was going to be starring they're going to have him down as writing as much as Merchant did. As others have said I don't think he's added anything to the podcasts I've heard other than laughing.

    In my opinion, The Office UK, meh. Just don't see the huge appeal of it. Extras, ****in brilliant, but mostly due to the performances of the guests, how much was down to Gervais is impossible to say. His stand-up is ok, but has gotten worse each time with the same preachy opinions on the same preachy topics. The Invention of Lying was just so self-indulgent. Heh, just check out the first line of the wikipedia page for it, looks like something Gervais himself would say.

    Overall Gervais is alright, I'm not a huge fan of hm though.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,379 ✭✭✭master-t


    Well in fairness "Flanimals" was a book for kids, so I wouldn't expect you to find it that funny.

    Gervais is by far one of the most respected comedians in the world today.

    Some people above have said they liked The Office but after that he went s*ite...........what about Extras? Possible more laugh-out-loud moments in that than any other comedy show I have ever watched!

    I understand that Gervais & Merchant's humour is of a certain taste, as with Larry David's. But to simply say that they are not funny.....im sorry but that is not true. Maybe you don't get it, which is a pity because anyone I have 'forced' to watch The Office, Extras, his Stand Ups or listen to the podcasts have rolled around the floor laughing and are now hooked on all things Gervais.

    His cocky ego is a character persona he portrays in interviews as it is funny. Its the guy you love to hate. The cringe moments when someone up their own arse says something ridiculous. He has it down to a tee. Even Larry David, John Cleese, Chris Rock, Woody Allen, Steve Martin, the creators of the Simpsons etc etc have all paid the highest compliments to Gervais's talents and these men have owned comedy over the last 30 years.

    I think some people maybe get jealous or pissed off about how big a personality gets in the world when they start off small (like on a BBC2 show) and begin winning Golden Globes etc. People don't like cocky and smug but that's put on for effect and it clearly works. Can't understand how you don't get him. :confused:

    PS - I do agree that Stephen Merchant has a lot to do with the success of The Office & Extras and that the two work off each other brilliantly. Merchant deserves a lot more credit and respect for his work and also his acting. He was amazing as Gervais's agent in Extras and couldn't have deserved it more winning best comedic actor at the BAFTAs that year he won it over Gervais.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 53 ✭✭deathbot


    He used to be funny. I liked the office. But his films have all been flops, and his latest science routine is arrogant, and plainly unfunny. Smug.

    With his lack of understanding on the allegorical story of Noah's ark, to his contant insulting on 'fat people'. Show is over already. His story is evidence, God does bring down the proud and exhalts the humble.

    Gervais will be the new 50 cent, gone and forgotten.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    deathbot wrote: »
    Smug.

    When you can't beat them... call them smug.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,956 ✭✭✭consultech


    deathbot wrote: »
    He used to be funny. I liked the office. But his films have all been flops, and his latest science routine is arrogant, and plainly unfunny. Smug.

    With his lack of understanding on the allegorical story of Noah's ark, to his contant insulting on 'fat people'. Show is over already. His story is evidence, God does bring down the proud and exhalts the humble.

    Gervais will be the new 50 cent, gone and forgotten.

    We get it; You happened to catch him on telly and it made you drop your bible in aghast. Was it really necessary to drag up a 5 month old thread to vent and surreptitiously push your fairytales on everyone?

    The comparison to 50 cent is amazing though.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 827 ✭✭✭Wolflikeme


    Dudess wrote: »
    I enjoy The Office (the American one moreso - Steve Carrell is better in the role than Gervais,.

    I hate when people compare these. They're completely different takes. Why do we even have to compare them? Just appreciate them both as, as I've said, they're totally different takes on 'The Office'. I like them both.

    Stand up is OK. Last one - 'Science' was awful.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 45,630 ✭✭✭✭Mr.Nice Guy


    I like him. I think he's OK as a stand-up. I think The Office and Extras are both terrific, as well as the podcasts. This is one of my favourite moments from a sitcom ever:



    As for the US Office I just don't see the appeal to that at all, and I was a big fan of Steve Carrell and Ed Helms when they were on The Daily Show. I find it poorly written and OTT like a lot of American comedy shows. The guy who plays Dwight is insufferable as well.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,459 ✭✭✭Riddle101


    The Office and Extras were trully a work of art. Just today I was taking a look at the bloopers, for both series and I thought i'd share it with everyone here. Looking at them both, it's amazing how they ever filmed the series with amount of bloopers on them




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,005 ✭✭✭MistyCheese


    He's not funny in the way that carrots are not meat

    but

    He thinks he is funny is the way that Meteor thinks it has an effective mode of advertising.

    I can never fully trust anyone who declares a serious admiration for such an ovbiously not entertaining modhrán.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,150 ✭✭✭kumate_champ07


    deathbot wrote: »
    He used to be funny. I liked the office. But his films have all been flops, and his latest science routine is arrogant, and plainly unfunny. Smug.

    With his lack of understanding on the allegorical story of Noah's ark, to his contant insulting on 'fat people'. Show is over already. His story is evidence, God does bring down the proud and exhalts the humble.

    Gervais will be the new 50 cent, gone and forgotten.
    no, other people wrote the scripts and hired him to read the lines. not much you can do if the material isnt great to begin with, not his fault.

    also he has mocked himself in the past for being fat. everything is funny unless its personal to you


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,537 ✭✭✭joseph brand


    It seems some people are mixed up. He is not really a stand-up like real stand up comedians.

    The Office was flawless. Extras was brilliant, and I think Merchant stole the show.
    Couple of quotes:

    David: You headbutt a girl on telly and you’re labeled a prat.


    David: You always get the odd person who doesn’t appreciate what you’re doing, shouts silly things.
    Interviewer: What sort of things?
    David: You beardy twat, pug nosed gimp, lard boy. And I go, “Yeah, what have you ever done on telly? Nothing, so don’t…” Absolutely flabulous.


    My heart bleeds for the Hollywood 'stars' who found themselves the butt of a few gags. A slight thorn in the side of their pampered lives. At least they were able to get back to patting themselves on the back at the awards.

    I had to laugh at Tim Allens' jibe. As if Tim was ever funny. Only the Americans ever bought into him. His head is massive. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,537 ✭✭✭joseph brand


    He's not funny in the way that carrots are not meat

    but

    He thinks he is funny is the way that Meteor thinks it has an effective mode of advertising.

    I can never fully trust anyone who declares a serious admiration for such an ovbiously not entertaining modhrán.

    What?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,956 ✭✭✭consultech


    I didnt at first, but the more I think about what he did at the globes, the better I think it was. It wasn't necessarily comedy genius in that a lot of it was very cheap; but it was good, edgy material that totally turned the downright cringery of the whole show on its head. More than anything it took an absolutely brass set of balls to do it. The "backlash" from the poor babies of the A-List whose backs sadly went unpatted for a couple of mins is funny too...


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,379 ✭✭✭master-t


    Can I ask people here who are saying he isn't funny and is a moron etc to please state who they do find funny?

    With regards The Globes. He pushed the boundaries last year. And also warned that he would go even further - and he did. He didn't over step ANY line however.

    These A-List celebs who have had their feathers ruffled are the morons. They can't be laughed at and some can't be seen to be even laughing when the camera rolls to them. Look at Extras. The celebs who appeared on this are people who can laugh at themselves - Stiller, Winslet, Jackson, De Niro (Although he really didn't do much), Stewart - these can laugh at themselves. American's in general don't like being the butt of any joke. Well, when you invite Gervais to do The Globes, what do you expect?!


  • Posts: 15,814 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    master-t wrote: »
    Can I ask people here who are saying he isn't funny and is a moron etc to please state who they do find funny?

    With regards The Globes. He pushed the boundaries last year. And also warned that he would go even further - and he did. He didn't over step ANY line however.

    These A-List celebs who have had their feathers ruffled are the morons. They can't be laughed at and some can't be seen to be even laughing when the camera rolls to them. Look at Extras. The celebs who appeared on this are people who can laugh at themselves - Stiller, Winslet, Jackson, De Niro (Although he really didn't do much), Stewart - these can laugh at themselves. American's in general don't like being the butt of any joke. Well, when you invite Gervais to do The Globes, what do you expect?!

    I don't think it was a case of they don't have a sense of humour just that most of his Golden Globes stuff, what I saw of it was just mean-spirited. The stuff with Robert Downey Jr. just stunk of shock value and there was no need for it, it's a much better comedian who can get laughs from genuine comedy rather than resorting to insulting a persons appearance, history,etc.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,150 ✭✭✭kumate_champ07


    I was shocked they gave him the job again for this year, I like the guy and last year was funny but he crossed the line a few times. maybe he wanted to see what he could get away with and was feeding his own ego.

    Felt bad for Robert Downey Jr. as he really turned his life around after all his drug problems and became a genuine star again. The Tim Allen dig wasnt very nice.

    I do like Gevais but some of this seemed horrible


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16,096 ✭✭✭✭the groutch


    hollywood a-listers live in their own world with a metal rod up their behinds, and can't take a bit of slagging, with a few exceptions (de niro, pacimo, bushemi)


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,986 ✭✭✭philstar


    ah but "he's only havin a laugh" no harm meant

    when ever i see him being interviewed he always comes accross as a sly cnut with that creepy smile of his

    to me he's your stereotypical english w@nker, the type of guy you'd meet down in temple bar at the weekend

    watch him here being "owned" by Garry Shandling, Shandling brilliantly turns the tables on Gervais

    afterwards Gervais didn't want this broadcast,:cool:



    there's more of it on youtube


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,956 ✭✭✭consultech


    I don't see how Gervais was "owned".

    I'm not surprised Gervais didn't want that aired, it's awful TV. All I saw was a mediocre has-been who's sole raison d'etre was to be as difficult as possible with the in vogue comedian at the time. Perhaps trying to prove some sort of point.

    What was with the childish/cringey alpha-male refusals to follow Gervais out to do an interview? Then accusing him of being anti-semetic when he had nothing else to say!? What the hell was that? "You're fat." Classic "ownage" alright.

    I thought Gervais rolled with some very awkward and frankly weird punches, and came up with more genuinely original and funny things to say.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,397 ✭✭✭Paparazzo


    Garry Shandling just comes across as a knob there. not surprised Gervais didn't want to air it, its woeful


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,986 ✭✭✭philstar


    consultech wrote: »
    I don't see how Gervais was "owned".

    I thought Gervais rolled with some very awkward and frankly weird punches, and came up with more genuinely original and funny things to say.

    really:confused: the only way Gervais countered was by breaking out that loud false laugh of his

    just a brief backgound to why Shandling was peeved...

    Gervais and his crew arrived at Shandlings house and walked straight in unannounced, they then proceeded to film inside the house without Shandlings permission not only that but were telling Shandling where the interview should take place in his own home

    Shandling had every right to be pissed off

    and to make matters worse Gervais goes and insults him to his face by saying he looked like a cartoon character off TV...

    watch it here and see Gervais for what he is > an ignorant cnut


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 85 ✭✭mrblondecutsear


    Absolutely think the office is amazing. Extras is average at best in my eyes. I love the podcasts too. However I have to agree that Ricky Gervais is a bully and seems like an absolute cnut overall. I don't think the Garry Shandling video shows his bullying nature at all if you ask me Garry Shandling comes off as a bit of a knob. Here's a perfect video shows what a bully he is. He even admits how he gets his kick from bringing Robin Ince to the edge by annoying him but then deliberately laughing at a joke he says or starting a casual conversation to bring him back down to a sense of security and then pounces on him again. He's just an attention seeking wank3r


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,808 ✭✭✭take everything


    master-t wrote: »
    Can I ask people here who are saying he isn't funny and is a moron etc to please state who they do find funny?

    With regards The Globes. He pushed the boundaries last year. And also warned that he would go even further - and he did. He didn't over step ANY line however.

    These A-List celebs who have had their feathers ruffled are the morons. They can't be laughed at and some can't be seen to be even laughing when the camera rolls to them. Look at Extras. The celebs who appeared on this are people who can laugh at themselves - Stiller, Winslet, Jackson, De Niro (Although he really didn't do much), Stewart - these can laugh at themselves. American's in general don't like being the butt of any joke. Well, when you invite Gervais to do The Globes, what do you expect?!

    Ricky slayed them.
    Thought RDJ's pronouncement, supposedly a guy who can roll with the punches and take a joke - was a bit po-faced in fairness- why didn't he just slag him back.

    Edit: anyone see Angelina Jolie's reaction to his gag about a third world kid looking at a photo of her and thinking "mummy".
    Don't think the camera cut to her unfortunately- i'd love to have seen it.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,808 ✭✭✭take everything


    philstar wrote: »
    really:confused: the only way Gervais countered was by breaking out that loud false laugh of his

    just a brief backgound to why Shandling was peeved...

    Gervais and his crew arrived at Shandlings house and walked straight in unannounced, they then proceeded to film inside the house without Shandlings permission not only that but were telling Shandling where the interview should take place in his own home

    Shandling had every right to be pissed off

    and to make matters worse Gervais goes and insults him to his face by saying he looked like a cartoon character off TV...

    watch it here and see Gervais for what he is > an ignorant cnut

    TBH, to me most of that seemed like Shandling's shtick (he's a great purveyor of uncomfortable/"is this real or is this a pisstake" comedy himself).
    He loves that stuff and it looks like the two were largely messing with each other.
    Was it reported that they didn't get on here?

    Edit: That Zebra joke by Shandling made me LOL. :D

    Edit2: Just remembering Hank Kingsley (Shandling's sidekick on Larry Sanders) doing the Hitler/"Hankler" Sketch on his show.
    So i seriously doubt if Shandling is actually getting bent out of shape about Ricky's humour here. Just doing his usual shtick seemingly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,808 ✭✭✭take everything


    to his contant insulting on 'fat people'.

    He takes the piss out of his own weight here.
    "Mr Toad!"



  • Closed Accounts Posts: 7,397 ✭✭✭Paparazzo


    philstar wrote: »
    really:confused: the only way Gervais countered was by breaking out that loud false laugh of his

    just a brief backgound to why Shandling was peeved...

    Gervais and his crew arrived at Shandlings house and walked straight in unannounced, they then proceeded to film inside the house without Shandlings permission not only that but were telling Shandling where the interview should take place in his own home

    Shandling had every right to be pissed off

    and to make matters worse Gervais goes and insults him to his face by saying he looked like a cartoon character off TV...

    watch it here and see Gervais for what he is > an ignorant cnut
    Absolutely think the office is amazing. Extras is average at best in my eyes. I love the podcasts too. However I have to agree that Ricky Gervais is a bully and seems like an absolute cnut overall. I don't think the Garry Shandling video shows his bullying nature at all if you ask me Garry Shandling comes off as a bit of a knob. Here's a perfect video shows what a bully he is. He even admits how he gets his kick from bringing Robin Ince to the edge by annoying him but then deliberately laughing at a joke he says or starting a casual conversation to bring him back down to a sense of security and then pounces on him again. He's just an attention seeking wank3r

    I've listened to all the xfm shows and I agree that he can be a cnut. Especially the early ones when he rips into Steve.
    But the poll asks is he funny. Not "Does Gervais have good manners". There's plenty of musicians/actors that are probably knobs, but if they make good music/act well, who cares


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