British Comedy Guide

Has Ricky Gervais lost the magic? Page 2

But that argument seems fatally flawed to me, as I'd say it were impossible to have several big successes or even moreso, do what he has done in being a big hit in several different formats, WITHOUT any magic.

He's simply not to everyone's tastes and gets on many people's nerves, and yes some of them will say they cannot understand his success, I'm like that with many stars, but I can't deny that many do see something great in them.

Quote: Aaron @ June 1 2012, 7:49 PM BST

Did he ever have 'magic', or just a few big successes and was then talked up (largely by himself) way beyond what was reasonable or fair?

Quote: zooo @ June 1 2012, 8:57 PM BST

I think this period of 'bringing him down a peg or two' that some people seem to deem necessary is now a bit redundant.

I think many are simply extremely jealous of his success, and can't resist indulging in trendily 'attacking' him, just as many do with McIntyre. Usually it's the 'cool' brigade of not very successful comics who round up on the very successful ones. They can't have their success or wealth so they unite in a clique of 'hard done by true' comedians, or whatever their tiny minds conjure up for themselves. :(

Quote: Alfred J Kipper @ June 1 2012, 9:23 PM BST

I think many are simply extremely jealous of his success, and can't resist indulging in trendily 'attacking' him, just as many do with McIntyre. Usually it's the 'cool' brigade of not very successful comics who round up on the very successful ones. They can't have their success or wealth so they unite in a clique of 'hard done by true' comedians, or whatever their tiny minds conjure up for themselves. :(

I think that the idea that criticism is motivated predominantly by jealousy is a bit ridiculous. Gervais has recieved stick in recnt years for peddling the same tired old schtick and producing substandard work.

When he first hit the real big time and went to America to get his Golden Globes for The Office virtually everybody was pleased for him. Nobody begrudged him the success. But the standard of work slowly deteriorated and, as it did, the good will evaporated.

Quote: chipolata @ June 1 2012, 10:11 PM BST

I think that the idea that criticism is motivated predominantly by jealousy is a bit ridiculous. Gervais has recieved stick in recnt years for peddling the same tired old schtick and producing substandard work.

When he first hit the real big time and went to America to get his Golden Globes for The Office virtually everybody was pleased for him. Nobody begrudged him the success. But the standard of work slowly deteriorated and, as it did, the good will evaporated.

I liked the reading thing but the Chipmeistee, as ever, has a good take on things. He's very good but his laid backness is misunderstood often.

Aye, but our tall-poppy syndrome can make it appear that people were ripe for slagging his work off whatever he did. Fortunately for the critics, it was substandard anyway and made it easier. :)

The Office, of course, is brilliant. One day even Aaron will sing its praises, that's how good it is.

I've come round to it after re-watching episodes in recent years (I've posted as such in the relevant thread, I'm sure). But it's just a good sitcom, not the work of unadulterated genius that some describe.

Well, it's better than On the Buses...

Woah, woah, let's not go mental.

Ask him if he thinks Coming of Age or The Office is better. I dare ya.

Quote: zooo @ June 2 2012, 1:00 AM BST

Ask him if he thinks Coming of Age or The Office is better. I dare ya.

Laughing out loud

Like he says, let's not go mental!

Cheeky bitch.

(Probably about equal.)

:P

These are the sort of BCG exchanges I miss.

The Olympic Torch is not the only flame that has been re lit.

Quote: chipolata @ June 1 2012, 10:11 PM BST

When he first hit the real big time and went to America to get his Golden Globes for The Office virtually everybody was pleased for him. Nobody/not many begrudged him the success. tick/yes

But the standard of work slowly deteriorated and, as it did, the good will evaporated. cross/no

No no, a very rosy view, that! What actually happened was, he picked up his awards, got offers from everywhere overnight, became wanted on every TV chat show, awards show, got film roles, and he seemed to turn down none of them, meaning he was everywhere for two or three years, and this was just too much for many people, thinking he was unbelievably smug and egotistical and flaunting his success.

They failed to see it was all part of an act, believed that he really did wallow in all the hype, failed to see that he picked up on this, and like a naughty boy that he is, egged it up even more, then they targetted him as a public enemy to be shot down and sneered at whenever his over mentioned name was mentioned.

The fact that very few comedy stars keep producing the same high quality work year in year out and they don't get slated half as much as Gervais is pretty much confirmation of the sad way many people behave towards the most successful stars today, and jealousy is most certainly a big factor in this, imoo.

Quote: Badge @ June 2 2012, 12:21 AM BST

Aye, but our tall-poppy syndrome can make it appear that people were ripe for slagging his work off whatever he did.

Yes

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