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After months of speculation, HBO today officially confirmed that it will carry Life’s Too Short, the new comedy series from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, creators of The Office, Extras and The Ricky Gervais Show. The seven-episode series, which will debut on BBC Two later this year, will air on HBO in 2012. Like The Office and Extras, Life’s Too Short is a faux documentary. It stars 3 ft. 6 in. actor Warwick Davis as a fictionalized version of himself: a down-and-out little person desperately trying to hustle and connive his way back into the spotlight. Each episode will feature cameos by stars, including Johnny Depp, Sting and Steve Carell, along with Gervais and Merchant playing themselves in minor roles. Other cast regulars include Jo Enright as Davis’ wife Sue and Rosamund Hanson as his assistant Cheryl. Here is the first teaser released by BBC Two:
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How long until HBO, as well as America media in general, realizes that Gervais is incapable of connecting with this country?
What are you talking about? People in America love Extras, The Office and The Ricky Gervais Show.
Are you talking about his movies? Focus on his talent, which are his tv shows.
I don’t care. I love him. Would take this over any american crap any day of the week.
“Incapable of connecting with this country?” — is that some British sarcasm your using. Surely you can’t be serious. The guy that created The Office, and is now one of the most celebrated comedians because he told everyone in Hollywood to basically f*ck off. Believe me he can connect with this country.
Unfortunately for this show, Im not sure Ricky Gervais will have enough momentum to carry this show going into 2012. Unless he hosts the Oscars and gives everyone the finger. I would love that.
Wow, what an insanely misguided notion. I find Gervais incredibly humorous, and your isolationistic way of thinking is what leads to things like Chuck Lorre-Produced schlock, and the innumerable amount of procedurals crowding US Network television. Gervais will never reach Seinfeld-esuqe worship in the states, but I believe that with Extras, the original Office, and his continued work with HBO, Ricky has cultivated a sizeable enough audience to merit the rebroadcast of his new show on a paid cable channel.
“Extras” was low rated on both shores. “The Ricky Gervais Show,” the animated one, is perceived as near non-existent. “The Invention of Lying” was a box office bomb and his failure as host of the Golden Globes has been attributed, by a small minority, to anarchy as opposed to not having earned enough cred to take those shots. America doesn’t care and “The Office” was only a hit in the US version due to Carell, a true star.
Extras is hilarious! The Ricky Gervais Show is comedy gold… Navy NCIS get’s on average 17M Viewers, Glee 10M…. While Mad Men get 3M , 30 Rock 5M and South Park 3-4M . Ratings doesn’t always tell you about quality… Carrel is brilliant but the fact is The Office wouldn’t be here without Ricky and Stephen.
All praise Karl Pilkington!
This way of thinking truly makes me sick. Extras was highly acclaimed and garnered a solid following (you omitted DVD sales). The Ricky Gervais show being ‘perceived as non-existent’ overlooks people who like off-kilter things and want something different, all of whom LOVE this show…the purpose of which is to deepen HBO’s niche as a place for interesting content rather than to be a spectacle. What you call his “failure” as a Golden Globes was one of the most refreshing performances I’ve ever seen at any awards ceremony, period. (And many agree with me.) Your idea that Steve Carrell is the only reason for the success of the US Office is utterly simple-minded and insulting to everyone else who worked on BOTH shows. It’s simply an unsubstantiated claim that you LITERALLY have no way of knowing as fact. The definition of BS. Stop pretending to know everything, stop denigrating people whose talents you’re too thick to perceive, who’ve made more money in the business than you will in ten lives, and stop trying to display your “shrewd entertainment business mind” by sh!tting on everything.
My opinions are my own, but they’re also shared by top agents where I work. Ricky has no film career and the very, very small cache of HBO is all he’s got as far as the states. Home Box Offie are very inexpensive deals to make for him right now. As far as the ratings fot the animated show, they’re slightly above a podcast. Ricky is Rowan Atkinson II as far as this country, even without the latter’s huge popularity around the world. A few swings and misses in the US for both comics. I guess you just loved “The Invention of Lying” then.
Speak for yourself, pal. Ricky Gervais is awesome.
I really hope you’re not on a TV or feature desk.
Looks like someone’s upset that someone doesn’t believe in their god.
Hey agents Ass, I live in America(from NY) and i just watched Life’s Too Short….It was hilarious and cured my semi depression for the day…so you really dont know too much like you think…hater…Yours truly Count FuckuLa
Connects with me. Office and Extras were great. I can’t wait for this.
i know i’ll love it, just not sure if i’ll still have hbo. i only subscribe when it’s under promotion and when a new entourage season launches.
i just discovered ‘curb your enthusiasm’ (season 7) which is the second best comedy on tv, after ‘always sunny.’
Connects with me too………… Loved Extras…………..
He also has a friend who has a head shaped like a f#{$en Orange!!!!!!!
His animated show on HBO rocks too. Pure genius making a star out of Karl Pilkington. I hope they’re making more of them.
I’m nit picking but Extras was not a faux documentary style show. So this is a return to the faux doc format for Gervais, and it’ll be interesting to see where he takes it and how it’ll hold up vs the American Office, Modern Family, The Thick of It, etc.
Its only “Barry” from “East Enders”….
its about time warwick davis gets some recognition…great news and ill be watching.
I love how at the end the guy never gives Warick a coffee and he’s left there standing feeling snubbed.
Are Americans really to dumb to understand Ricky Gervais’ humor? Wow, I’m glad to be a European!
Sounds like someone is incapable of connecting with one of,if not the funniest comedian on this planet.We love him down in aus. Cant wait for the new show.