Quote: Millsy @ February 13 2013, 12:38 PM GMTI bet the special is fantastic, and everyone then wonders why the original series wasn't very good.
It would require a complete shift in style for that to happen. What I particularly didn't like about the series was that it mocked people for treating Warwick Davis like a dancing monkey and then treated him like a dancing monkey for our amusement.
Quote: Aaron @ February 11 2013, 7:42 PM GMTThat's what I thought - but then I'm sure I read something earlier today implying they were only due to begin filming in the next couple of months.
Confusing. Media Centre's pretty clear though. So April-ish it'll probably be.
Ok , Cheers Aaron 
Quote: Harridan @ February 13 2013, 1:50 PM GMTIt would require a complete shift in style for that to happen. What I particularly didn't like about the series was that it mocked people for treating Warwick Davis like a dancing monkey and then treated him like a dancing monkey for our amusement.
I liked the series, and I don't exactly think it did do that. I think it was just as much holding a mirror up to "right-on" commentators who criticise that type of humour. By saying you cannot laugh at Warwick when he does physical comedy simply because of his height, you are actually putting him out of work, and that is much worse/more discriminatory in the long-term.
The series was patchy, but the awkward house party and the Jonny Depp face-to-face with Ricky were hilarious. And THAT Liam Neeson scene was probably my favourite single moment of comedy since Father Ted. I still laugh watching it on YouTube now! 
Quote: Snafu @ February 13 2013, 5:42 PM GMTI liked the series, and I don't exactly think it did do that. I think it was just as much holding a mirror up to "right-on" commentators who criticise that type of humour. By saying you cannot laugh at Warwick when he does physical comedy simply because of his height, you are actually putting him out of work, and that is much worse/more discriminatory in the long-term.
I disagree. I thought some of the physical comedy was good - the restaurant fall was well-executed, if predictable. But there's a difference between laughing at someone falling down because it's slapstick comedy and laughing at someone falling down because it's a dwarf falling down. The scene between Warwick Davis and Johnny Depp was supposed to be funny because it was outrageous what Depp was asking and what Davis was willing to do, but simultaneously we were invited to laugh at the spectacle of Davis doing the outrageous things asked of him by Gervais&co.
My overwhelming feeling about this series was one of disappointment - it could have been clever and insightful and realistic - informed by Davis' real experiences of awkward social encounters instead of broad strokes and ridiculous characters.
I'm glad there's other people here who liked Life's Too Short. It wasn't quite as good as Extras but it was funny and really showed Warwick Davis' talent for comedic acting. He can do more then wear a bear costume!
I think the reason it's just having a finale is Ricky Gervais doesn't want to leave it unfinished but the ratings were very low so BBC/HBO probably aren't interested in giving it another series.
The only character I'd like to see more of is Matthew Holness as the solicitor seeing Warwick's wife. He was a great little character. Make the special about him.
Quote: Harridan @ February 13 2013, 6:30 PM GMTBut there's a difference between laughing at someone falling down because it's slapstick comedy and laughing at someone falling down because it's a dwarf falling down.
That, for me, is the iffy ground. It's funnier to see a tall guy with long legs in a bowler hat doing silly walks than it is for a regular guy in regular clothes doing the exact same thing. Warwick doing physical comedy is playing to his strengths, and yes, some of that is in regard to his height.
I can see the problem you raise though, because an unscripted prank TV show that made fun of a member of the public's height would be way over the line of decent taste. But Warwick is a performer and utilises his physical form in his work. If he can get a big laugh doing something that looks funnier simply because he is short, he'll go for it. It doesn't make us bad for laughing too.
Quote: Team Film It @ February 13 2013, 7:04 PM GMTI'm glad there's other people here who liked Life's Too Short. It wasn't quite as good as Extras but it was funny and really showed Warwick Davis' talent for comedic acting. He can do more then wear a bear costume!
I think the reason it's just having a finale is Ricky Gervais doesn't want to leave it unfinished but the ratings were very low so BBC/HBO probably aren't interested in giving it another series.
I'm glad someone else likes it, except me. OK, the ratings were low but if it's funny, it's funny. If it isn't. It isn't.
When's this due to air?
There are handy links at the top and bottom of these pages, Greg.
Quote: Aaron @ March 16 2013, 9:22 PM GMTThere are handy links at the top and bottom of these pages, Greg.
Oh yes its on First week of April. I never looked on the guide. Cheers Aaron.
Quote: Snafu @ February 13 2013, 5:42 PM GMTAnd THAT Liam Neeson scene was probably my favourite single moment of comedy since Father Ted.
That was genius, possibly the best 'playing it straight' performance in comedy since Andre Previn on Morecambe & Wise.
I will admit that it wasn't very well recieved as a show in 2011 but I Loved it. It's a shame that the beeb didn't give it a second run but at least we've got one last special to look forward to and see a farewell to which I think is a classic show by Gervais & Merchant! It will be coming out on DVD but there's no date set as of yet : See Amazon product listing 
It's on tonight, everyone. 
Val Kilmer in his Batman mask made me do some laugh.
