Ricky Gervais tapped as host of Golden Globes
The Associated Press
October 26, 2009

LOS ANGELES — British comedian Ricky Gervais has been picked as host of the Golden Globes, the first time in more than a decade that the Hollywood awards show has used an emcee.

A more freewheeling affair than the Academy Awards and other Hollywood honors, the Globes are known as a place where stars can cut loose over dinner and drinks. Gervais said it was a good environment to give him free rein as host.

"I have resisted many other offers like this, but there are just some things you don't turn down," said Gervais, who starred in HBO's "Extras" and the original British version of "The Office."

The Globes have gone without a host since 1995, when John Larroquette and Janine Turner teamed up for the job. Globe organizers decided to do away with the host because they felt the show had enough star power with the celebrities presenting its film and TV awards.

But after Gervais made a hilarious appearance as a presenter at last season's Globes, the show's organizers decided to sign him up to emcee the ceremony on Jan. 17.

"Ricky is certainly one of the funniest people on the planet and has provided some of the most hilarious and memorable awards show moments in recent memory," said Paul Telegdy, executive vice president for alternative programming at NBC, which airs the Globes.

Nominations for the 67th annual Globes will be announced Dec. 15. The awards are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Philip Berk, who heads the press association, said it was the network's idea to add a host back to the show.

"We never thought a host was necessary. Only when NBC suggested the idea that a host might enhance the show, my response was the only person we would consider for the task would be Ricky Gervais," Berk said. "And we were lucky to get him."

On the Net:

Interview: Ricky Gervais
By Kate Whiting
JournalLive
September 25, 2009

He describes himself as a cottage industry. Ricky Gervais tells Kate Whiting about lying, laughing and his approach to work.

In new film The Invention Of Lying, which he wrote, directed and stars in, Ricky Gervais plays loser Mark Bellison who, though unlucky in love and work, is also the only person who can lie in an alternate reality where everyone tells the whole truth.

So when Mark goes to meet a beautiful blind date and asks her how she is, she takes one look at him and states matter-of-factly: “Depressed and pessimistic about our date.“

Surely even Gervais, known for playing socially awkward characters like David Brent in The Office and Andy Millman in Extras, can reach saturation point, when the insults start to hurt?

“No,” he laughs. “I love it and I don’t know if that’s because I’ve got no ego at all or such a big ego that nothing can hurt me. Someone insulting me makes me laugh,” he adds, suppressing a squeaky giggle.

The film boasts a talented cast, including rising star Jonah Hill as Mark’s suicidal neighbour, the “genetically-perfect“ Rob Lowe as his work and love rival, and cameos from Jason Bateman and his comedy writing partner, Stephen Merchant.

For all his success, Reading-born Gervais still finds it amazing that he’s become one of Hollywood’s golden boys.

“I can’t believe these people want to work with me. Truth is, I’m a bit of a chancer,” he adds, flashing that famously cheeky grin.

“I’m very lucky to be in this position and no one’s found me out yet!”

He describes himself as a cottage industry. Ricky Gervais tells Kate Whiting about lying, laughing and his approach to work.

While the film marks his directorial debut, the 48-year-old has long been writing his own material. He broke into Hollywood after Extras and the US version of The Office became hits across the pond.

Since starring in last year’s Ghost Town, he’s lost some of the David Brent paunch through hitting the gym in the States, but he insists he won’t change in other ways and will not be sucked into the LA movie machine.

“I don’t think I play the Hollywood game as such – I’m not really an actor for hire. I’ve done the odd bits, but they’re either returning the favour or just for a laugh.

“I sort of create my own work really so I don’t feel that I’m quite part of that mill yet and I don’t know if I ever will be or want to be.

“I still see myself as a bit of a cottage industry, being in a room, creating this stuff and seeing if anyone wants it as opposed to going to work for someone.

“And it felt like that for us on this film, that we were doing something that was ours and then we’ll see if anyone wants to show it.”

Gervais teamed up with American newcomer Matthew Robinson, 31, to write and direct the film. “The most important thing about collaboration is the more you see eye-to-eye fundamentally, the fewer clashes and compromises there are. There’s none of this tit-for-tat ’I’ll put that joke in if you put this joke in’ – we were fans of the same thing.”

His character works for a film company, but in the alternate world where lying, and therefore fiction, is inconceivable, the films are simply people reading out lists of facts.

“It’s things like Napoleon, The Invention Of The Fork and Mathematics. Mark is lumbered with the 14th Century and no one wants to see that, it’s depressing,” Gervais explains.

“It’s just the Black Plague. Then he gets fired. But when he discovers he can lie, he can tell the greatest stories ever told.”

A world without lies is also a world without advertising slogans, where casinos reveal the true odds of a win and Mark’s favourite bar is simply called Cheap Place To Drink.

When Mark realises his incredible power, he uses it to become wealthy and successful, but deep down he’s a nice guy.

“He’s only trying to do good – he’s telling white lies,” says Gervais.

“I think it makes you think about how often you lie and if you’re a decent person who tells white lies every day to save people’s feelings.

“I’ve always used comedy as a Trojan horse to deliver bigger ideas,” he continues.

“We thought of everything that may or may not happen and the spark was the lovely lie I tell my mother when she’s dying, to make her feel better about where she’s going. She doesn’t want to enter a world of nothingness.”

Serious ideas aside, Gervais found it hard to keep a straight face on set and admits he interrupted takes time and time again when he got the giggles.

“No one else ruins the takes – I do. If someone says something funny I laugh, even if it’s the 15th time they’ve said it. I think, ’That was funny’ and I laugh and I ruin the take,” he says, barely able to stifle his cackling laugh even now.

Ricky Gervais Directs ‘The Invention of Lying’
By John Jurgensen
WSJ.com
September 25, 2009

Comedian Ricky Gervais had a happy childhood in small-town England. He lives with the same woman—novelist Jane Fallon—he started dating in college 27 years ago. The television series he co-created, "The Office," redefined the TV sitcom, made him rich and catapulted him into the company of comedy moguls like Matt Groening of "The Simpsons" and Larry David of "Seinfeld."

So why can't he stop abusing himself on screen?

During scriptwriting sessions for his new movie "The Invention of Lying," Mr. Gervais worked himself into red-faced rants as he invented insults to hurl at his character's fat stomach, pug nose and sexual failings. "Kind of like a frog," as another character describes him.

"A comedian must get beaten up for your viewing pleasure," Mr. Gervais explains in an interview. "Now you're rooting for the underdog."

Mr. Gervais had been a little-known radio host when "The Office," a faux documentary in which he played a socially tone-deaf middle manager, began its run eight years ago. The show has aired in 80 countries, spawned seven remakes (including versions in the U.S., Israel and Russia) and inspired imitators with its awkward realism and attacks on commonplace fools. "People say I created the comedy of embarrassment," says Mr. Gervais. "There's a reason for that. I'm a white, middle-class, middle-aged man. What happens to me? Nothing, but a bit of rudeness. What am I afraid of? Embarrassing myself socially."

Now, the 48-year-old comic is moving away from the painful, ironic satire of "The Office" as he tries to launch the next phase of his career with three coming movies and a new TV show. Opening next Friday, "The Invention of Lying" is the first movie written and directed by Mr. Gervais (with co-writer and co-director Matthew Robinson). It's set in an alternate reality where people only tell the truth and Mr. Gervais's character is the first to learn how to fib.

Early next year, HBO will unveil an animated series adapted from "The Ricky Gervais Show," a hit podcast in which the comedian and two friends bantered about monkeys, naughty puns and other pet topics. Mr. Gervais is adapting his series of children's books, "Flanimals," into an animated feature film. In April, he'll release "Cemetery Junction," written, produced and directed with Stephen Merchant, co-creator of "The Office." A coming-of-age story set in 1970s England, "Cemetery Junction" draws on Mr. Gervais's personal experiences and marks a departure in tone. Instead of underdogs and losers, the movie focuses on a trio of suave young men in their prime. The film also stars Oscar nominees Ralph Fiennes and Emily Watson.

Mr. Merchant said via email that they've tried to inject "Cemetery Junction" with "pathos, drama, romance, intrigue and humor…and at least one trademark awkward moment."

Mr. Gervais attributes the crossover appeal of his humor to his affinity with American comedians, especially Jewish acts such as Groucho Marx and Woody Allen. He says, "I feel that I do Jewish comedy, in a way. That self-deprecation. Being a pseudo-intellectual in a room full of idiots but it does you no good. I'm selling back to America what I stole, but with a big lump of what they didn't have. That is, the sheer pessimism of being British."

When he's not on location or doing a stand-up tour, Mr. Gervais is a homebody with a small orbit. In New York, where he has an apartment on the Upper East Side, he regularly walks one block to his favorite restaurant, Park Avenue Autumn. (The restaurant's name, along with its menu and décor, change with the seasons.) Recently, a manager unlocked the door before opening hours so Mr. Gervais could have coffee and do an interview. Leaving, the comedian confirmed he'd be back for dinner that evening.

Wearing his usual black V-neck T-shirt, his hair slicked back and a reddish stubble on his cheeks, Mr. Gervais was more reflective than madcap as he talked about religion or the influence of Laurel and Hardy. But some topics, such as how he'd botch Shakespeare or his odd-looking friends—"squeezing their little round baldy heads is just an excuse to show them affection"—elicit some recognizable laughs: a girlish titter, a guffaw that strangles in his throat, a flat-out cackle.

By choice, Messrs. Gervais and Merchant made only two seasons (plus a Christmas special) of "The Office" for BBC. They own the format, according to Matthew Harvey, Mr. Gervais's manager, allowing them to license it for remakes in other territories. The U.S. version premiered on NBC in 2005. Set in Scranton, Pa., the series recently hit 100 episodes. Not counting what they earn from the original "Office" and remakes in other territories, Messrs. Gervais and Merchant are paid about $50,000 combined for each episode of the U.S. version, according to a person familiar with the matter. They also receive about 10% of that show's "back end," which includes syndication fees and revenue from DVD sales, after some expenses.

In the comedy world, the impact of "The Office" was seismic. It adapted the "mockumentary" device (used in such movies as Rob Reiner's "This Is Spinal Tap") to a sitcom framework, confronted issues like race and class, and introduced an outrageous yet utterly familiar character in office manager David Brent (Mr. Gervais). Louis C.K., a standup-comedian, screenwriter and actor who plays Mr. Gervais's sidekick in "Lying," says watching the original series on DVD "was like being a gold miner who finds out about someone else who struck gold. It wasn't jealousy, I just wanted to be a part of it."

"The Office" led to an HBO comedy series called "Extras," starring Mr. Gervais as an obscure actor desperate for fame. In Hollywood, there have been small parts in movies such as the "Night at the Museum" films, but until now only one leading role, in last year's romantic comedy "Ghost Town."

Still, Mr. Gervais's involvement (and a proposed production budget of less than $20 million) helped make it relatively easy for "The Invention of Lying" to find backers. The movie was financed by independent producers and sold for U.S. distribution to Warner Bros., but Mr. Gervais says he maintained a 50% stake in the film. That gave him control over the final cut of the movie, as well as other key creative decisions.

For instance, in her first scene in the film, the love interest played by Jennifer Garner (from the TV series "Alias") begins a blind date with Mr. Gervais's character by flatly informing him she'd been masturbating. The line could have threatened the movie's PG-13 rating, says Mr. Robinson, the co-director, but he and Mr. Gervais were adamant about its inclusion from the start. "Ricky was the 600-pound gorilla that I could hide behind," says Mr. Robinson.

On set, Mr. Gervais was a confident director, Mr. C.K. says, but prone to distractions, such as forcing cast and crew members to choose between two preposterous (and R-rated) superpowers to have. "The amount of time we spent talking about that stuff was just crazy," Mr. C.K. says.

Mr. Robinson had Mr. Gervais in mind when he first wrote the part of Mark Bellison, a sad-sack screenwriter who (because there's no such thing as fiction in a world without lying) creates dull historical films. After the comedian signed on to the project, he spent about a year rewriting the script with Mr. Robinson, dialing down the cynicism and expanding the odd-couple romance. Mr. Robinson says, "His main goal was to make a classic Billy Wilder love story," in part to make the movie more accessible.

In the movie, Mark's fabrications spin out of control when he makes up a story about a "man in the sky." As crowds clamor for details, he delivers an ersatz Ten Commandments that he has scribbled on two pizza boxes. One of his prophecies: Good people are given mansions to live in after they die.

An atheist, Mr. Gervais studied philosophy at University College London. "The Invention of Lying" isn't "atheist propaganda," he says. "I like being a Good Samaritan—I just don't think I'm going to be rewarded for it in heaven."

The comedian grew up in a working-class family in Reading, 50 miles west of London. He was the youngest of four children, separated by 11 years from his next-oldest sibling. He drew on happy memories of that time for "Cemetery Junction." One goal was to upend the image of a dreary England as it's typically portrayed in films set in the 1960s and '70s. Mr. Gervais, whose father was a laborer and mother was a housewife, also wanted to convey the innocence of growing up in a small town. At age 17 he planned a trip to France. "My mum said to me, what do you want to go there for? There are parts of Reading you haven't seen," he recalls.

In the coming film, Mr. Gervais appears only briefly as a hen-pecked husband and father. But he has set aside a plum role for himself in "Flanimals," the planned animated film about imaginary creatures. He says, "I play Puddy, a fat sweaty blob. Amazing."

Sam Schechner contributed to this article.

Emmy Awards 2009: Ricky Gervais steals the show
Ricky Gervais got the biggest laughs at the 2009 Emmy Awards by poking fun at the star-studded audience.
By Anita Singh - Telegraph.co.uk
September 21, 2009

Taking the stage to present one of the categories, Gervais deadpanned: "This is the greatest awards ceremony in the world, there's no doubt about that. Definitely, definitely no doubt about that.

"The thing about the Oscars and the Golden Globes is they've got film stars there, with their jawlines and chiselled looks, making me feel bad. But in this room - I'm not being funny - I'm probably above average."

Referring to two stars of the US version of The Office, Gervais went on: "Here, Steve Carell is considered handsome. But Rainn Wilson, we've got to be honest... he's weird, even in this company."

The British comedian told the audience: "I can have a go at The Office because I'm executive producer, whatever that means. I tell you what it means: it means I created the show so I sit at home and wait for the cheques to come through. Syndication, come on."

After a brief pause, he quipped: "That joke is for the 5,000 people in this room. Not for the 5,000 people watching at home."

He finished by briefly turning the air blue, saying: "I've ------ off two networks in one minute. That is good going."

The last joke was a dig at the viewing figures for the Emmys ceremony. Last year, ratings fell to an all-time low of 12.2 million.

Gervais was there to present the outstanding variety, musical or comedy series, which went to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

The star of The Office and Extras also provided the comedy highlight of last year's ceremony, when he jumped into the audience and grabbed an Emmy statuette from Steve Carell.

Ricky Gervais is a comedian first, actor second
By Bob Thompson, Canwest News Service
September 15, 2009

TORONTO - The truth is Ricky Gervais cannot fib when it comes to assessing his thespian prowess.

He often jokes that he's not an actor, he just plays one in film and TV.

"I still think of myself as a comedian acting," Gervais, 48, said Monday morning at Toronto's Fairmont Royal York Hotel Monday morning. "I remind people of that by falling over for their entertainment."

Still, the full-bodied funny man doesn't stumble as a version of Ricky Gervais in The Invention of Lying, which has a special presentation Monday night at the Toronto International Film Festival and opens in theatres Oct. 2.

Written and directed by Gervais and Matthew Robinson, the comedy fantasy has an all-starcast of strong supporting players including Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Christopher Guest, Jason Bateman, and Jeffrey Tambor.

In the movie tall tale, The Office and Extras TV creator plays a soon-to-be fired movie writer and the only person in a strange but seemingly modern world who is capable of falsifying facts.

That leads to all kinds of witty foul ups and celebrations one might expect from Gervais, the clown prince of uncomfortable comedy. He even takes on Christian beliefs in the fantasy, lampooning The Ten Commandments.

But Gervais insisted that the skewering is all for a laugh. "I don't see why we would get hate mail," he said.

There's no denying that that aspect of the film might be fodder for protests, but rabble rousing wasn't the intention, although he confessed he's an atheist.

After that revelation, he's told jokingly that even agnostics might find fault with the religious spoofing. "Yeah, but they're going to start writing, then say . . . 'ahhh, forget it,' " he said smiling.

He wasn't quite as cavalier with his first movie directing assignment, but he maintained that Garner, who plays a main role as a manipulated girlfriend, and Rob Lowe, defining the handsome rival, made his multiple chores a great deal easier.

Gervais even attracted some Oscar-honoured actors to do some hilarious cameos. Edward Norton plays a buzzed-out cop and Philip Seymour Hoffman shows up as an agreeable bartender.

Lowe said it's simple to explain why dramatic actors like to come play with Gervais. "It's like a vacation," said the Brothers & Sisters series regular.

Anyway, it seems Gervais can't stay away from this film festival. He was here last year with Ghost Town, another jokey fantasy that had a Gervais playing a dentist who could see and hear dead people with unresolved issues. Although, The Invention of Lying has him inhabiting his cheeky self with more authority or lack thereof, depending on the circumstance or situation.

Certainly, The Invention of Lying exists within Gervais' comedy realm so richly defined by his BBC classic The Office and HBO's Extras which both survive in rerun format in the U.S. and Canada. But Gervais said there were some rules in the world of his new movie, fable or not. Most importantly, he said, "my character doesn't lie to get the girl."

And, indeed, Gervais knows his comedy strengths and ignores his weaknesses. Not that he's shy about being in other people's movies.

There was last fall's Ghost Town. Last spring, he co-starred in the second Night at The Museum (he had a cameo in the first one) opposite Ben Stiller. And he had a funny bit in Stardust as a Gervais-like smart-aleck fence a few years before.

Gervais insists he mostly considers himself a comedian, writer and director and sometimes producer who can persuade himself to star in his projects at an affordable price.

To that end, he said he's re-teaming with his Office co-creator and Extras co-star Steve Merchant for his next movie. It's called Cemetery Junction, formerly The Man from the Pru. He just finished filming with Merchant, and it may be a little more serious than his usual escapades. He described it as a cross between The Office and Mad Men trying to be "a coming-of-age yarn" about life in 1970s London.

He also confirmed that his 13-episode animated podcasts called The Ricky Gervais Show will appear on HBO starting in January.

All things considered, he has a full and generally successful list of things he's done and things he has to do. His formula, he admitted, is obvious to him.

"I surround myself," said Gervais, "with people who are better than I am."

Gervais says it's easy to tell when someone is lying
Sheri Block, CTV.ca
September 14, 2009

Ricky Gervais loves to make people laugh and the press conference for his new film "The Invention of Lying" was no exception.

Arriving promptly at 10 a.m., the British funny man who is making his co-directorial debut with the film at TIFF, tells the roomful of journalists how rude it is to be late.

"Everyone look at your watch when they come in," he instructs reporters, in reference to how the rest of the cast, in particular Jennifer Garner, were stragglers.

He says he always arrives early and being late is one of his biggest annoyances.

"I can't believe anyone wouldn't rush to see me," says Gervais, to a roar of laughter.

Gervais, who created the much acclaimed BBC series "The Office" and HBO's "Extras," is certainly hoping people will rush to see his new film -- and find it funny.

Set in a world where lying doesn't exist and everyone says what's on their mind, one average Joe named Mark Bellison (Gervais) discovers he has the ability to tell a lie and uses it to gain fame, fortune and hopefully love.

Opening with a hilarious look at what would happen on a first date if you had to tell the honest truth ("He seems nice, a bit fat. No, I won't be sleeping with him tonight," says Garner's character Anna to her mom on a cell phone during the date), the movie also delves into deeper issues such as morality and religion.

"At no point did we say there definitely isn't a God in this world, we just say that we haven't thought about it or discovered it yet," says Gervais, who produced the film, and co-directed and co-wrote it with newcomer Matthew Robinson.

"Also, isn't it great if it does start a conversation?" says Garner. "Conversation can be controversial or not but religion is something work examining and faith is something worth questioning and talking about."

But Robinson says they had to draw the line somewhere.

"We had stuff on politics, we had stuff on race, we had things like that earlier but it asked more questions than it answered."

"We didn't want to bog people down with the details," adds Gervais.

The truth test:

Gervais says the film addresses how a world without the ability to lie actually isn't as good as one where you can lie as the latter allows people to make moral decisions based on how the truth will be received. Gervais says he actually lies all the time -- but to protect people's feelings.

"'Can you come to my baby's christening?' I go, 'I can't I'm busy.' I don't say, 'Well that doesn't sound like a great day out,'" says Gervais.

"That's what makes you a nice member of the human race, that you can choose when to make a good lie."

Gervais says it's often easy to tell when someone is lying.

"I think you know deep inside when someone's being kind and when someone's being cruel or when someone's just being honest and that's why you surround yourself with people you trust. By definition you don't know whether you're gullible or not, you learn by your mistakes. I think you trust everyone once."

Gervais says he enjoyed directing his first movie alongside Robinson and was thrilled to be able to work with such a talented cast, which also features Rob Lowe, Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Edward Norton and a cameo by Philip Seymour Hoffman.

It's not uncommon for Gervais to "break" (or ruin) a take because he's laughing so hard and he says this was definitely the case on this film.

"When someone says something funny, I laugh. Just because I heard the line 15 times before, or I even wrote it, it doesn't matter," says Gervais.

It caused a bit of frustration for the actors though, in particular for Garner, who says a lot of her good takes were ruined this way.

"He's encouraging you to improvise, you toss something out there and on top of your line in an unusable way he ruins the take with a cackle that is completely of another world," says Garner, who adds she couldn't stay mad for long as making Gervais laugh is like a badge of honour in itself.

Flanimals on film : News 2009
Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide
Hollywood confirms movie version
April 29, 2009

Ricky Gervais’s Flanimals children’s books are to be made into an animated Hollywood movie.

The comic will voice the lead character, the Puddloflaj, a spherical purple creature on a mission to change the world. He said: ‘It will be great to play a short, fat, sweaty loser for a change. A real stretch.’

The script will be written by Matt Selman, who has previously worked on The Simpsons, and be produced by Chris Meledandri, who also produced The Simpsons Movie and Ice Age.

The movie has been a long time coming. Gervais first announced he was poised to make an $80million film of his creations in 2004, and it took until early last year for publishers Faber & Faber to confirm that the rights had been sold.

Meanwhile, Gervais will also lend his voice to SpongeBob SquarePants.

Writing on his blog, he said: ‘It's just a little cameo in a ten year anniversary special. I record it this week and do a few little bits and pieces for the documentary, too.’

Gervais' 'Flanimals' heads to bigscreen
By Michael Fleming – Variety
April 28, 2009

Universal-based Illumination Entertainment will create a 3-D animated feature based on "Flanimals," a children's book series by Ricky Gervais.

Gervais will voice the lead character, and the script will be written by Matt Selman ("The Simpsons").

The four-volume series, illustrated by Rob Steen, encompasses a world inhabited by 50 species of creatures so ugly and misshapen they become cute and endearing. Gervais' character, a pudgy, perspiring purple creature, goes on a mission to change the world. "It will be great to play a short, fat, sweaty loser for a change," Gervais said. "A real stretch."

Illumination founder Chris Meledandri will produce with Courtney Pledger. Gervais will exec produce.

Illumination, formed to give Universal a presence in family and animated fare, is in production on "Despicable Me," a film that Universal will release July 9, 2010. The pic's lead voices are delivered by Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Danny McBride, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig and Julie Andrews.

Endeavor reps Gervais with U.K.-based United Agents.

Ricky Gervais gets laughs on both sides of the Atlantic
By Kevin Pang
Chicago Tribune
April 2, 2009

If you were to view Ricky Gervais' entire oeuvre, you could start in the morning and be done by dinner. There is not much: two television series, a cameo appearance in films here and there, one starring role in the movie "Ghost Town."

But what little we have on document is clear: Gervais may be one of his generation's greatest comic minds.

Exhibit A: "The Office" (the BBC version, of course) — 12 episodes and a Christmas special of pitch-perfect character studies, set in the most mundane of settings. And what makes it so brilliant isn't the cringe-inducing and oft-uproarious dialogue, it's that it's a love story at heart. And this is what Gervais tells us is his approach to comedy: empathy. Only when we feel for the characters can we laugh at them.

With a DVD of his HBO special "Ricky Gervais: Out of England" released this week, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning writer, actor and director spoke to us from his London home.

Q: Besides specific cultural references, do you find any differences in the humor sensibilities of Americans and the British?

A: There aren't. The differences between Americans and the English don't exist per se. The bigger difference, really, is circumstance and environment.

There are some things Americans champion. There's a more straight-down-the-line honesty with Americans. British do things more camp and sarcastic than Americans do. Americans aim for and celebrate success more. We (British) celebrate the underdog more. Americans are told they can be the next president of the United States, and you know what? They can. We're told it won't happen to you. And you know what? It doesn't.

Q: So would you say the British sense of humor is rooted in cynicism?

A: Yes. We talk about the rain because it rains. We talk about things not working out well, because, hey, sometimes they don't. But there's this optimism that Americans have that the English don't have. It's glass half full and half empty. And Americans see the good in everything.

Q: People seem to recognize the notion of funny when they see or hear it. But it's hard to articulate what makes something funny.

A: I think in general the most important thing in comedy is empathy. We're human. The very first joke was a caveman stubbing his toe and everyone laughed. And they laughed because they knew he didn't mean to do that. Something happened they didn't expect.

Comedy shouldn't just be a reflex. There are comedians out there who do one-liners, and they can throw in a fake punch line and you'd still laugh, because you're laughing at their rhythm. I couldn't laugh at someone I don't like. There are comedians out there who are just unlikable. And I think there's no room for machismo. I don't want a comedian who comes out and tells me how he outwitted the world or how much better he is than me. I want someone (to go) out there and tell me, "I've had a bad day, too."

Q: Is this why your podcasts have been so successful? Because people empathize with your co-star/punching bag Karl Pilkington?

A: There I play the villain. I play the bloke who purposefully sets himself up for a fall. I'm playing the rich, educated man who's frustrated with his stupidity.

But he always wins. Because he's bulletproof, he's untouchable, and he doesn't laugh. I laugh at him. He wins.

Q: Your podcasts had set a Guinness record for most downloads. It seems as if you're enjoying these audio shows.

A: That's probably my favorite thing I do at the moment. From a fun point of view, there's nothing more fun than chatting to Karl for two hours. Poking him, goading him, ridiculing him and then laughing at the things that he says. It's honestly a joy. I don't know if you have this phrase in America, "Money for old rope." It means that when you almost feel guilty, because it hasn't cost you anything. As a business plan, it's too good to be true.

Q: It seems your shows and films aren't just funny for the sake of being funny. They have story, conflicts and resolutions, dramatic tension, narrative arcs built in, but with the thread of humor.

A: Comedy, when decapitated, doesn't resonate. We cut jokes out of "The Office" because we thought it would interfere with the love story, or the realism. In the long run we knew the payback would be bigger in keeping people caring. ... Sometimes there are bigger emotions than a knee-jerk laugh.

Q: Have you watched every episode of the American remake of "The Office?"

A: I've probably watched every episode of Series 1 and 2, but now I probably watch one in three. I watched two on the plane this time of the last series.

Q: Your version only ran 12 episodes. This season finale of the U.S. "Office" will make it 100 episodes total. Does having an open-ended series hurt the storytelling?

A: It makes it more difficult. When you've got a finite arc, it's by definition more conclusive. You get out on top. The love story alone is hard to keep going. Will they, won't they? Yes, they have. That's the end of that.

But they haven't been a slave to the realism or the fake documentary either, which you can't be, because you're thinking, "Why are they still filming there? Why is there a film camera following him on the bus?" That was the single most important thing for us, because it told us why the characters were acting like that. And ours was much more about characters thrown together. And this is more a traditional sitcom than ours ever was.

Q: What's the last thing that made you laugh?

A: You can ask me that every day, and the answer will always be Karl Pilkington. Or Elmo. I've watched that clip with Elmo (being interviewed with Gervais) about 20 times. Elmo is my new best friend. And working with "Sesame Street" is the highlight of my career now. There's no more ambiguity. Is it the Globes? Is it De Niro? Is it David Bowie? Is it "The Simpsons"? No. It's Elmo.

An Israeli version of The Office set for production
By Mark Jefferies
mirror.co.uk
March 31, 2009

Hit comedy The Office is being remade in Israel - the sixth foreign version of the show.

BBC Worldwide, the corporation's commercial arm, has licensed Ricky Gervais's show to July August Productions, which will make a 15-part series.

It will be shown by satellite station Yes from April next year under a deal announced yesterday.

Ricky said: "I am thrilled and amazed that Israel are making The Office with local writers, directors and actors. I mean, who ever heard of Jewish entertainers?"

Giyora Yahalom, head of production at Yes, said: "We're sure the universal experience of office life will speak to Israeli viewers. There's no doubt our viewers will enjoy the same jokes."

Versions of The Office have also been made in America, Chile, Canada, France and Russia. In the US the critically acclaimed NBC show starring Steve Carell in Gervais's role as deluded boss David Brent is currently nearing the end of its fifth series.

Other BBC Worldwide shows that have aired in Israel include The Weakest Link, Dancing with the Stars and Mastermind.

Sony joins Gervais' 'Pru'
By Ali Jaafar
Variety
March 26, 2009

LONDON -- Sony has boarded Ricky Gervais' "The Men at the Pru."

Pic will be the second U.K. production to come out of the Sony Intl. Motion Picture Production Group, run by Deborah Schindler.

Project is a coming-of-age tale about a group of men working at an insurance company in the 1970s.

Gervais is co-writing, directing and producing with longtime creative partner Stephen Merchant.

The two previously worked together on TV skeins "The Office" and "Extras," as well as a radio show in the U.K.

Gervais will also have a supporting role in the pic, which is set to go into production later this summer.

Charlie Hanson and Sue Baden Powell, who also exec produced Gervais' feature directorial debut, "This Side of the Truth," which Warner Bros. is releasing domestically Sept. 25, will also be involved in a producer capacity.

Schindler's first Brit feature, "The Damned United," will be released in the U.K. today.

Sony was the first of the studios to set up a stand-alone, local-language production unit operating throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America in April 2007.

The Office: Sad News for Ricky Gervais Fans
E! Online
By Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna
March 17, 2009

Oh, those wacky U.K. press peeps. Fact-check, much? That little staple of journalism 101 doesn’t seem to be of high importance across the pond.

Case in point: The U.K.’s Daily Record reported on Friday that Ricky Gervais is heading to the U.S. to make a cameo on the last episode of The Office as David Brent, the boss of the BBC version of our favorite comedy.

Well, we got the real deal from executive producer Paul Lieberstein (Toby!). Here’s what he has to say...

"We love Ricky, but have not had any discussions about an appearance on the U.S. show,” says Paul. "And we haven't given any thought to the final show because it is probably a zillion episodes away.”

So, there you have it. Straight from the boss' mouth. (And a zillion more eps sound pretty good, right?)

The only guests scheduled for now are the previously announced Idris Elba (The Wire, Rocknrolla), who comes back this week, and Amy Ryan (The Wire, Gone Baby Gone), who will return as H.R. goddess Holly Flax by the final episode of the season.

What happens when Ricky Gervais pairs up with Elmo on Sesame Street?
BBC - Newsbeat - Entertainment
March 13, 2009

He said he was appearing a couple of weeks back, but now we've heard some of what went on in the studio.

The comedian pairs up with the Muppet for an interview that fast turns into an unscripted comedy routine, with Gervais asking some awkward questions.

"Why do you wear pyjamas when you're going to bed but you're naked the rest of the time? It doesn't make any sense."

"Well, we're just acting", replies Elmo. "It's called acting Mr. Gervais, acting!"

Both man and puppet crack up several times during the sketch, with the scene straying off track due to Gervais' banter.

He also gives the director a bit of stick, telling her: "You call yourself a professional, you can't even control a Muppet and a fat man."

During one out-take, not to be included in the final programme, the Extras star gives Elmo some David Brent-like interview advice.

"These are the no-go areas: drugs, child abuse, The Holocaust."

The multi-talented comedian, who used to sing in a band, also performs a song with Elmo during the episode.

The final edit of Gervais' guest appearance will be aired on PBS in the US in November as part of the show's 40th anniversary season.

Gervais to sing with Elmo on 'Sesame St'
By Alex Fletcher – Entertainment Reporter - Digital Spy
January 30, 2009

Ricky Gervais has revealed that he will be singing with Elmo on an upcoming episode of Sesame Street.

The British comic will shoot a sketch with the popular red furry character in New York next month.

"They've let me write a song. I can't give too much away but I'm singing to Elmo," said Gervais. "Can't believe my luck. Being paid to go to New York to sing to a furry little thing. As I've said before, all my little friends are freaks."

Gervais admitted in November that he was going to star in the long-running children's show, commenting: "There are some things you don't turn down."

Previous guest stars on the show include David Beckham, James Blunt, REM, Robert De Niro and Jamie Foxx.

Cast of "Characters" Left to Right: Gareth, David, Tim, Dawn

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