British Comedy Guide

British Comedy Awards 2008 Page 12

Gervais deserved the heckles and he deserves the backlash against him and its not just from 'comedy snobs' (which is a horrible term), many other people are sick of Gervais, he even appeared on one of those awful list shows of 'Worst People of 2007' or whatever it was called last year. The media aren't as friendly to him as they once where and he seemed to be the main target at this years comedy awards. Angus made a few digs, when he was talking about 30 Rock he said "The one American comedy not to be ruined by a cameo appearance by Ricky Gervais" and when Eva Mendes was introduced as Ricky Gervais' number one fan he said "A title Ricky is not likely to give up so easy".

Corden is a bit of an arsehole anyway, but the heckles were deserved. Like Pete on this thread has stated there is no 'gag' with what Gervais is doing...he's bragging about having Emmys and Golden Globes, there is no gag there because he DOES have Emmys and Golden Globes...he says the British Comedy Awards are beneath him...again he has stated this as true in the past...there is no gag there...no matter whether he thinks it is hidden under this veil of "irony" the fact is what he's saying is true and just because he recorded a message doesn't constitute a 'thank you' instead it comes across as a way to sneer and belittle the other comedians that are actually there.

The other thing is, Gervais says he can't relate to British comedy anymore and that most of it is shite...and on the whole I actually agree...but Gervais is also part of that shite.

Quote: Matthew Stott @ December 8 2008, 9:27 AM GMT

The truth is a lot of people have always hated him, for whatever reason. The only reason Gervais 'had it coming' is because he's been around a while now and has been successful, so he becomes a target.

Slow down, my point is not that he is heading for disaster...as I said, his wealth and audience will increase, no doubt. But it is still interesting to watch as his fan base shifts.....there are plenty of other comedians with success and wealth who wouldn't have got the reaction gervais got.

To insinuate that he probably doesn't care is pointless....we'll never know anyway. But it's still a valid topic of conversation that a man who dominated the BCA a few years ago has now become an object of ridicule despite still winning the awards.....in other words, it's not is work they dislike....it's him.

Quote: Mike Dan-Carter @ December 8 2008, 10:06 AM GMT

A successful night in all for Gervais, wins the award, plus pisses off lots of comedians who can only dream of being where he is.

Why is pissing off other people a "success" in that sense? Is that the gag? Seefacts said earlier that he was the antithesis of the "thank yous" but he isn't anymore.....when he won the award and Merchant said "we should thank the producers" and he chuckled and said "why?".....that was funny, arrogant and still pleased to have won. The jokes on the producers, they'll live. To just say the award is a bit shit means the joke's on everyone apart from those who agree and aren't watching. I just felt as much a target for his "attitude" as everyone sat there....and as a fan that's disappointing.

Quote: Pete @ December 8 2008, 11:52 AM GMT

Why is pissing off other people a "success" in that sense?

Because he knows it's gonna piss people off and for it to get the reaction it received would have pleased him. According to his blog he was at Amberley Castle all weekend so couldn't go to the ceremony, fair enough. If he thought the award was totally meaningless he wouldn't have bothered calling George Michael to help make the video. I think he enjoys rubbing people up the wrong way.

I didn't agree with the 3/4 digs Deayton and others had a Gervais, I thought it came across as them being jealous and bitter about his success. If he had been there, I'm sure they wouldn't have said what they said, as Gervais would have shown them up.

I still think the moment from the Extras Christmas special, when Andy Millman was in the Big Brother house, and was told that the mother of the teenage stab victim was releasing a single, is one of the funniest moments ever, in British comedy.

Quote: Martin Holmes @ December 8 2008, 11:06 AM GMT

Gervais deserved the heckles and he deserves the backlash against him and its not just from 'comedy snobs' (which is a horrible term), many other people are sick of Gervais, he even appeared on one of those awful list shows of 'Worst People of 2007' or whatever it was called last year. The media aren't as friendly to him as they once where and he seemed to be the main target at this years comedy awards.

As far as I'm concerned he hasn't dropped in standard yet as a writer, so the backlash is unwarranted. It's just a backlash is always inevitable to someone/thing that achieves great success; be it actors, sportsmen, bands, whatever. His award speeches are getting tired and predictable, but so what? It's an award speech, not one of his actual shows.

Does anyone know what his latest film is like?

Must admit, the ceremony didn't really hold my attention. I flitted in and out, never really engaging. All a bit ho-hum, seen it all before (especially the Gervais speech and reaction to it). Maybe the problem is that there hasn't been a lot of great new comedy in the last twelve months?

Quote: Matthew Stott @ December 8 2008, 12:42 PM GMT

So? What is your point? As far as I'm concerned he hasn't dropped in standard yet as a writer, so the backlash is unwarranted. It's just a backlash is always inevitable to someone/thing that achieves great success; be it actors, sportsmen, bands, whatever. His award speeches are getting tired and predictable, but so what? It's an award speech, not one of his actual shows.

Agree with Matthew on this. The 'backlash', if that's what it is, is part of the purely cyclical nature of the broader world of showbiz and not reflective of his work which, judging by the last Extras, is still fantastic.

Backlashes are such a f**king cliche.

Quote: catskillz @ December 8 2008, 12:52 PM GMT

Does anyone know what his latest film is like?

I've only read the first 10/15 pages of the script but it's very funny and it's a lot different to his normal cringeworthy style.

Quote: john lucas 101 @ December 8 2008, 1:04 PM GMT

Backlashes are such a f**king cliche.

Ironic then that it's a backlash against Gervais cliched "character"

Quote: john lucas 101 @ December 8 2008, 1:04 PM GMT

Agree with Matthew on this. The 'backlash', if that's what it is, is part of the purely cyclical nature of the broader world of showbiz and not reflective of his work which, judging by the last Extras, is still fantastic.

Not sure I agree on this. For me, the last Extras was a bloated piece of self-indulgent Janet and John satire we've seen a thousand times before. Steve Merchant was very good in it, though. And Barry off of EastEnders was also excellent.

Quote: chipolata @ December 8 2008, 1:13 PM GMT

Not sure I agree on this. For me, the last Extras was a bloated piece of self-indulgent Janet and John satire we've seen a thousand times before. Steve Merchant was very good in it, though. And Barry off of EastEnders was also excellent.

I disagree, I thought it was a very well written piece of work from Merchant and Gervais. The acting was, as always, just superb. Yes, Gervais may get up people's noses, but he really is a fantastic actor in my opinion, just so natural. However, Merchant and Jensen steal the show somewhat, in the special.

Quote: chipolata @ December 8 2008, 1:13 PM GMT

And Barry off of EastEnders was also excellent.

I love that that will always be his name now.

Quote: zooo @ December 8 2008, 2:24 PM GMT

I love that that will always be his name now.

Though perhaps, in 5-10 years time, he won't be so happy about it!

Bless him. I think he'll just be pleased to be acknowledged!

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