Ricky Gervais: Hottest Comic on Earth

Nobody can beat the English sense of humor. Compared to American comedy writers, English writers are much more sophisticated in dark humor, irony and satire. They seem to feel more liberal on their topics as their creativity has not yet been limited by the political correctness hurricane.

The first time I watched the original version of The Office, I couldn't believe how funny it was. It was as fun as watching Monty Python or Kids in the Hall. I felt really upset when Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant stopped doing the show. The American version of The Office is a good show but it is just a good show, it is nothing special when compared to the British one. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant are still the producers of the American version of The Office but they are not writing the show (except for the "The Convict" episode).

The television series Extras was also written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. It was awarded the Golden Globe for 2008 Best Television Series and it is almost as funny as The Office. The main character of Extras is Andy Millman (Ricky Gervais) who wants to make it in Hollywood as an actor but he is only given jobs as a background artist. Each episode has a guest star such as Kate Winslet, Robert De Niro or Orlanda Bloom. The show received its premiere on HBO four years ago in 2005. If you are interested in watching the show, you can either order it from amazon.com or netflix.com.

Unfortunately the films of Ricky Gervais are not as successful as his TV Shows. He had a small part in Night at the Museum. I watched it on the plane and after half an hour of watching this depressive movie,I turned it off. Ben Stiller might be a good writer for some but he is such an unsuccessful actor, he is always this same unhappy neurotic character in each movie. Even Ricky Gervais couldn't save this dreadful film.

Ghost Town is not a bad movie but I wouldn't put it in my favorite movies list. It is a Hollywood type of a formulaic movie. It is written and directed by the untalented Hollywood resident David Koepp. Ricky Gervais would do much better if he wrote the screenplay himself and worked with Stephen Merchant. This film was a disappointment; I hope Ricky Gervais does not get affected by the Hollywood people like David Koepp. Tea Leoni was a bad choice of cast as the love interest too.

Ricky Gervais has a new film called This Side of Truth,I am looking forward to watching this film despite the fact that he has worked with Jennifer Garner and Rob Love!

The good news is Gervais and my favorite co-writer Stephen Merchant are now working on a new movie called "The Man from Pru". I hope he won't cast the very talented (!)Hollywood actors like Ben Afleck or Angelina Jolie. According to Wikipedia, the film is set in 1970 and it is about love, class and fulfillment. This film really sounds like something to look forward to. It might be that Ricky Gervais has done the Hollywood movies like Ghost Town to make enough money so that he could really make the films he really wants to.

It is really refreshing to know people like Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant exist. Looking forward to seeing whatever they will write and film.