Nellie Andreeva

The always unfiltered Office co-creator Ricky Gervais had some harsh words about last night’s season finale of the NBC version of the show, which featured a parade of guest stars including Warren Buffett, Jim Carrey, Will Ferrell, Will Arnett and Gervais himself interviewing for Michael Scott’s job. On his blog, Gervais compared the finale to the episode of his BBC/HBO series  Extras that featured an awkward guest appearance by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. “It’s only Warren Buffett. … What are you doing in a paper merchant’s in Scranton? It’s mental,” Gervais wrote. He went on to say this about the NBC series: “if you’re going to jump a shark, jump a big one.” And more. “I assume most people know I didn’t do the US remake for the art. I did my version for the art. … Don’t get me wrong. I’m very proud of the US version. It was not only a very very good network comedy but it was also a massive success story. But you know, I did it for different reasons, ambitions and with slightly different emotional attachments to the project.” Saying that he is not as emotionally attached to the NBC Office than he was to the original is fine, but saying that the NBC series was a good comedy in past tense doesn’t sound very reassuring. Gervais also reiterated again that he will “never in a million years” do a regular acting gig on the show. “It really would be fucking mental. You don’t start a company to work on reception.”

A few hours later, Gervais wrote a new post, claiming his first post had been misconstrued.

Sorry, who dissed The Office finale? I fucking didn’t, that’s for sure. I simply said it’s different to the original which I created and made with different ambitions. What’s wrong with that?
The bit about it “jumping the shark” and being like Chris Martin in Extras was meant to be a little self deprecating in-joke. I myself, did a fun but pointless, over-hyped cameo in the episode too remember. I did it for a laugh like everyone else, I assume. I certainly wasn’t dissing anyone involved more than myself.
The US version of The Office has probably made me ten times the money that the UK version did. I wouldn’t knock it. It’s still my show. All I said was I do it for different reasons. That is simply what they call the truth. Hope that’s OK. I believe I am still entitled to an honest opinion. After all, every other cunt is.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.