Posts Tagged ‘Ricky Gervais’
Tuesday, March 20th, 2012
With new Ricky Gervais’s new sitcom pilot ‘Derek’ due to air at a BAFTA screening next week, we wonder why commissioners Channel 4 appear so reluctant to simply order a full series.
The pilot features Gervais as Derek, a care home worker described as ‘a tender, innocent man whose love for his job and the people he cares for shines through. He’s 49 years old and loves animals, Rolf Harris, Jesus, Deal or No Deal, Million Pound Drop and Britain’s Got Talent – but his main hobby is autograph hunting’. The show also features Karl Pilkington, in his first acting role, and (reportedly) Sean Connery.
So, with Gervais’s sitcom history and a big name cast, this would seem to be a significant opportunity for Channel 4 to score a sure-fire hit – why are they dragging their feet in only making a pilot?
In a statement the channel say: ‘Channel 4 is very excited to be working with Ricky Gervais on this new project and it’s wrong to say we have rejected a series. The pilot will be on TV in April and then there’ll be further discussions about the potential for a full series.’
However, after the critical disaster of Gervais’s last sitcom ‘Life’s Too Short’ and (relatively) poor audience figures it would appear either that Channel 4 have slightly cold feet about what would be a major series for them or that Gervais himself wants feedback before he commits to another less-than-popular project.
You get chance to decide for yourselves as the pilot airs on Channel 4 in next month.
Tags: "sean connery", BAFTA, Channel 4, Derek, Pilkington, pilot, Ricky Gervais, series
Posted in C4 Television, Channel 4 | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 21st, 2011
Ricky Gervais is set to sign a deal with Channel 4. 
The 50-year-old comic has filmed a pilot for a new sitcom for the network and is said to be “very pleased” with the show, which has a working title of Derek.
Channel 4 chief Jay hunt is reportedly “thrilled” with the show, which is set in an old people’s home and features Ricky as elderly and confused resident Derek Noakes. The show features the comic’s sidekick Karl Pilkington in his debut acting role and is expected to feature a series of guest stars, including the likes of Sir Sean Connery.
The proposed move to Channel 4 comes after Ricky’s last series, Life’s Too Short – which starred Warwick Davies – was a ratings flop for the BBC in comparison to the funnyman’s previous shows The Office and Extras.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “There have been many meetings in a bid to discover why it missed the mark. No one really knows. Some you win, some you lose.”
Despite recording the pilot, Channel 4 executives insist they have not yet commissioned Derek for a full series.
A spokesperson said: “This is a continuation of our relationship with Ricky Gervais.”
Tags: Channel 4, Derek, life's too short, Ricky Gervais
Posted in C4 Television, Channel 4, Comedy | No Comments »
Friday, July 22nd, 2011
Ricky Gervais
The comic star is working with Dexter producer Clyde Phillips on new TV show Afterlife in which he will play the Almighty. However, his interpretation of the all-powerful being will not be the usual benevolent creator of the human race.
Writing on his blog about the new project, he revealed: “Anyway, I play God. (My version will be) an arrogant, wisecracking son of a bitch, who thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread . Actually he thinks he’s the best thing ever because…well, he is. He also loves welcoming atheists to heaven with a smug grin on his face.”
Gervais also insists the show is not an “atheist comedy” and has warned potential viewers not to expect a “twisted bloodlusty anti-religious fest” just because of Phillips’ work on Dexter – which follows the double-life of serial killer Dexter Morgan.
He explained: “We’ve come up with this show because we think it will be fun, different and entertaining. Not to undermine the moral fabric of America.”
Gervais has been an atheist from the age of eight and mocked the concept of God in his stand-up comedy routine Science.
Tags: afterlife, Dexter, Ricky Gervais, science, The Office
Posted in Comedy | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
Ricky Gervais encourages dwarf fights in Life's Too Short
Ricky Gervais encouraged the dwarf actors on his latest comedy series to fight each other. The funnyman has directed Life’s Too Short – a fictional day-to-day account of dwarf actor Warwick Davis and his talent agency, Dwarves for Hire, and he and writing partner Stephen Merchant admit they couldn’t help making their actors fight each other in certain scenes.
Stephen said: “We decided, I don’t know how it came about, but during the end of one take I think Ricky shouted, ‘Fight!’ and they started fighting, and it was very, very funny and the two actors were very committed to that, and then subsequently, if a scene’s slightly flagging we’ll just shout, ‘Fight!’ and hopefully end the scene with a fight.”
Ricky jokingly added: “That’s the thing when you’re a director, people do what you tell them. So if I say ‘fight’, you will fight. I was like Nero, some survive, some don’t, but you can always get new ones.”
Ricky and Stephen have worked on a number of series together including worldwide smash The Office and Extras, but admit Life’s Too Short has been the most fun so far.
Ricky added to Absolute Radio host Christian O’ Connell: “I remember The Office, we didn’t know what we were doing but we were so excited about it, I was very excited this hadn’t been done before. Extras was fun but hard, you know, there was a lot of pressure there.
“This felt like pure fun, this felt like going to work and having a laugh, ‘What can we get him to do today’, you know.”
Tags: life's too short, Ricky Gervais, warwick davis
Posted in Comedy | No Comments »
Friday, July 8th, 2011
Ricky Gervais: no more An Idiot Abroad
Karl Pilkington won’t film another series of An Idiot Abroad. Ricky Gervais’ hapless sidekick was a huge hit in the first run – which saw Karl visit the new seven wonders of the world. And while he will appear in one more series and one-off special, he won’t be filming any more.
Writing on his blog, Ricky – who created the show alongside Stephen Merchant – said: “He will never do another series though. That’s for sure. So enjoy the next one as it will be the last.
“I think he’s right too. Two series and a special – that’s my motto.
As well as ruling out more series of An Idiot Abroad, Ricky says he doesn’t like to think about what his ‘Office’ alter-ego David Brent is getting up to now.
The funnyman – who appeared as the work buffoon in two series and a Christmas special – told Shortlist magazine: “I don’t like to think about what Brent would be doing because we only wanted him to exist in the programme’s bubble. He might be OK. I’m pretty sure he’s gone back to a regular job and got all that ‘being famous’ stuff out of his system. I don’t think he ‘made it’ in the way he wanted to.”
Tags: "karl pilkington", an idiot abroad, Ricky Gervais
Posted in Comedy | No Comments »
Thursday, July 7th, 2011
Ricky Gervais as David Brent performing his famous dance
Can it really be ten years? Amazingly, the comedy that propelled former X-FM DJ Ricky Gervais and co-writer Stephen Merchant to international stardom made its debut on BBC 2 on July 9, 2001. A decade on and its still one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time.
But back then it was truly revolutionary with many people thinking initially that David Brent was a real person in a real documentary, rather than a fictional character in an inventive sitcom.
With the inevitable Office 10th Anniversary Edition released on DVD in October, we mark the landmark birthday with 10 facts you may or may not know about the hit series:
1) The Office started life in 1997 as a sketch Ricky Gervais wrote called ‘Seedy Boss’. He named that boss David Brent.
2) The first scene ever written was the one where Brent interviews Karen Roper for the job of PA in episode 5.
3) The first demo tape of the office was shot in the real office where Ricky used to work. Many of the people in the background actually worked there.
4) The demo was shot in one day.
5) Originally Martin Freeman auditioned for the part of Gareth. Ricky first met Martin when he helped write the series Bruiser, which Martin starred in. He met Mackenzie Crook when they worked together on The 11 O’clock Show.
6) In the French version (Le Bureau) the stapler in jelly becomes a stapler in Fromage.
7) The record number of takes for one scene is 74. It’s the one where Brent gives Tim an appraisal.
8) Due to overseas sales, DVDs and now syndication The Office, has grossed an estimated £370 million worldwide.
9) It is shown in 170 territories, in 88 countries. It has been remade in 8: US, France, Canada, Germany, Israel, Chile, Sweden and Russia.
10) It was the first British Sitcom to win a Golden Globe. The second was Ricky Gervais’ Extras. They are still the only two.
Tags: "10th anniversary", Extras, Ricky Gervais, The Office
Posted in Comedy, Features | No Comments »
Thursday, July 7th, 2011
Sanda Bullock: Will star in new Ricky Gervais comedy, Life's Too Short
Sandra Bullock is to appear in Ricky Gervais’ new comedy series. The Oscar-winning actress has agreed to appear in Life’s Too Short, a ‘mocumentary’ following Dwarf actor Warwick Davis as he runs as talent agency for short people – alongside Keith Chegwin, Les Dennis and Shaun Williamson.
A source said: “Just having an Oscar winner alongside Cheggers, Les and Shaun is hilarious.
“It just goes to show the sort of pull Ricky Gervais has.”
Sandra was the subject of a series of gags from Ricky when he hosted the Golden Globe awards this year, including him claiming she once said “poor people are gross”, but didn’t mind being ridiculed by the British comic.
The source added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: “It just shows that Sandra has her sense of humour intact and isn’t one to hold grudges.”
Johnny Depp also has a cameo role in the show,which was co-written by Ricky and Stephen Merchant. A source said recently: “Johnny will guest star in Ricky’s new BBC show. He’s trying to work out his schedule but it will definitely go ahead.
“Johnny is a huge fan of Ricky’s and has a great sense of humour. He has wanted to work with Ricky for ages and this is it.”
Tags: life's too short, Ricky Gervais, Sandra Bullock
Posted in Comedy | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 31st, 2007
I absolutely loved the first trailer released by the BBC for the Extras Christmas special featuring stars such as Clive Owen and George Michael. Now a second has reached the Internet, with Gervais hitting up the five multi-millionaire entrepreneurs that populate the Dragon’s Den to help finance his comedy show. In the spoofy clip, Gervais, nervous like all who enter the Den, makes his business pitch to the listening James Caan, Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Theo Paphitis and Duncan Bannatyne before being suitably interrogated.
As always, Gervais’ main target for comedy is himself with Paphitis labelling him “a short little ego-maniac” while Peter Jones laments his unkempt appearance: “What an untidy messy little git!” When asked why he needs the sought after cash injection, Gervais responds: “Catering, we do go over on the catering budget.” To catch the trailer and whet your appetite for the Extras Christmas extravaganza (it’s not actually billed so exuberantly, I just wanted to use the word extravaganza), click on the link.
[via Digital Spy]
Tags: BBC1, business, Christmas special, Comedy, Deborah Meaden, Dragons' Den, Duncan Bannatyne, Extras, James Caan, Peter Jones, Ricky Gervais, sitcom, Theo Paphitis, trailer
Posted in BBC 1, Comedy, Coming Soon..., Trailer Trash, You Tube | No Comments »
Thursday, September 27th, 2007
Since Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant announced that the Christmas special for Extras would be the sitcom’s swansong, it seems like every celebrity from George Michael to David Tennant has bagged a role in it. And now with the release of the show’s trailer, we can see which familiar faces are going to pop up in the festive frolics, alongside regulars like Barry to get us chuckling.
As the show will be one of the undoubted heavy-hitters of the Beeb’s Christmas line-up, they are doing all they can to keep the trailer from appearing on sites such as YouTube. Instead, to get your first look at Clive Owen turning his nose up at Maggie Jacob’s (Ashley Jensen) prostitute or a mocked manly hug, follow the link here. Enjoy!
Tags: Ashley Jensen, BBC, Christmas, Comedy, Extras, programme, Ricky Gervais, show, sitcom, special, Stephen Merchant, television, trailer, TV
Posted in BBC 1, Comedy, Coming Soon..., Trailer Trash | No Comments »
Thursday, September 13th, 2007
With the Emmys being handed out on Sunday/Monday (depending on where you live), TV Scoop takes a look at some of the British shows looking to take home an award.
BBC’s sumptuous literary adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic Jane Eyre leads the pack with nine nominations. These sadly don’t include any acting nods for stars Ruth Wilson as our heroine or Toby Stephens as the broody Rochester. Instead they acknowledge the art direction, casting, cinematography, costumes, direction, sound mixing, writing and hairstyling. Yes, hairstyling. The prestigious Emmys are all about who has a nice fringe.
(more…)
Tags: awards, awards ceremony, BBC, Channel 4, Comedy, con-men, doctor, Drama, Emmy Awards, Emmys, Extras, HBO, Helen Mirren, House, Hugh Laurie, Hustle, ITV1, Jane Eyre, Jim Broadbent, Longford, medical drama, Minnie Driver, Planet Earth, Prime Suspect: The Final Act, Ricky Gervais, Rome, Samatha Morton, sitcom, television, The Office, The Riches, The Tudors, Tsunami: The Aftermath
Posted in BBC 1, BBC 2, Channel 4, Comedy, Drama, Five, Imports, ITV 1, TV News | No Comments »
Wednesday, August 1st, 2007
When looking through the TV listings, I feel like I’m stuck in Groundhog Day. The current scheduling is so uninspired and repetitive (when is Big Brother going to end and give us back Channel 4?) I know that Mof has mused on the lack of choice currently afforded us by TV (see here), but I wondered if, rather than it be considered a general problem, it could be analysed further. Is it just the same kind of programming clogging up our airwaves, or is it in fact, the same programmes?
There seem to be some shows that have been on TV forever and others that never seem to go away for long. I’m not talking about those that are acknowledged mainstays like soaps, but those that never let-up, are always on when you don’t want them to be and are TV equivalents to stalkers. Out of the 24 shows listed as the longest-running in their various genres (music, sitcom, current affairs, etc.) on Wikipedia, half of them are from the UK. Is this because we have a long tradition of quality programming or a lack of imagination and no balls to shake things up?
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Tags: 24, American Idol, BBC, Casualty, Channel 4, Drama, Edgar Wright, ER, Heartbeat, Holby City, Midsomer Murders, Peter Kay, programmes, ratings, repeats, Ricky Gervais, schedules, shows, Simon Pegg, sitcom, Skins, Spaced, Stephen Merchant, The Bill, TV, Wire in the Blood
Posted in BBC 1, BBC 2, Channel 4, Comedy, Digital and satellite, Drama, E4, Five, ITV 1, LivingTV, More4, Sky One, UKTV, Why? | 1 Comment »
From:Set The Video: NASA: Triumph and Tragedy, BBC Two, Wednesday, 24 June, 9pm