Ricky Gervais

Potty-mouthed Dublin matriarch Mrs Brown - the creation of comedian Brendan O'Carroll - is a phenomenon in her native land, where she's the star of numerous comic novels and six stage shows. This sitcom is Mrs Brown's first appearance on British screens, where she is liable to startle the uninitiated with the rudimentary nature of her comedy: an old-fashioned blend of silly voices and slapstick, played out in front of a live studio audience who collapse into giggles at the mere mention of the word "willy". O'Carroll won't care what the critics say - the show's already topped the ratings in Ireland - but Mrs Brown's Boys does feel uncomfortably similar to the awful hokey sitcom that Ricky Gervais's character mugged his way through in Extras.

Brand and Gervais become Simpsons for Oscars Special

Russell Brand and Ricky Gervais are set to appear alongside Halle Berry in an Oscars-themed episode of The Simpsons.

TV matters: Ricky Gervais & other awards ceremony hosts

The problem is not so much the host as the sad and disappointed audience.

Golden Globes 'ask Ricky Gervais back'

Ricky Gervais has been "asked to consider" hosting the Golden Globes for a third year, his spokeswoman says.

In the style of Mock The Week, with guests straight off Have I Got News For You and a format borrowed from that other topical debut of the week, 10 O'Clock Live, this new panel show has launched itself in an already overcrowded genre.

And with in-depth discussion of Jordan's latest failed marriage and in-depth handling of some stress-ball breasts, That Sunday Night Show clearly had its brows aimed significantly lower than any of the aforementioned shows.

In this episode, Kevin Bridges, Catherine Tate and John Prescott joined host Adrian Chiles to discuss everything from Ricky Gervais' performance at the Golden Globes to the suspension of the Education Maintenance Allowance for young people, as the emollient Max Clifford and Piers Morgan were wheeled on to comment.

But if the range of topics covered was impressive, the profundity with which they were discussed was something else, as the time constraints of the show allowed only for a cursory glance to be cast over each of the subjects.

So, with the comedy already covered on 10 O'Clock Live, interviews carried out competently on Piers Morgan's latest venture and the serious stuff sorted by Have I Got News For You, can there really be any place for this slapdash and skin-deep attempt from ITV? Unless it changes its tack, this show will find itself superfluous to requirements pretty quickly.

Tragedy is easy - it's comedy that's hard

From Ricky Gervais to the Baftas, Britain has long failed to appreciate comedy properly, says award-winning comedy writer Laurence Marks.

Ricky Gervais plays down Golden Globe furore

British comedian Ricky Gervais has defended jokes he made about Hollywood stars at Sunday's Golden Globes, insisting he did nothing wrong.

Video: Ricky Gervais defends Golden Globes controversy

Ricky Gervais has continued to defend controversial comments he made about Hollywood stars while hosting the Golden Globes.

Appearing on Piers Morgan's new US chat show he described them as "jibes" and said he thought the stars had a sense of humour.

Ricky Gervais to make cameo in US version of The Office

Ricky Gervais is to reprise his David Brent character from The Office on the US version of the show.

Ricky Gervais reveals how he stays thin

He stunned his fans when he showed off his new slimline physique at the Golden Globes after losing a huge amount of weight. And now Ricky Gervais has revealed exactly how he stays thin by pounding the New York streets for an early-morning run.