Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais backs anti-lab dogs campaign

Ricky Gervais has told of his "disgust" at plans to open a puppy farm supplying dogs for laboratory experiments.

Ricky Gervais attacks The Million Pound Drop

Ricky Gervais called C4's Million Pound Drop the end of humanity after two couples lost £1million on the "easy" first question.

Life's Too Short continued tonight - but I wish it hadn't. For those of us who have in the past loved Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant - and almost everything they did - it has proved to be a huge disappointment.

We used to feel like we were in safe hands when we watched The Office and Extras. We knew we would be tickled and treated by this comic genius who could do no wrong.

But Life's Too Short has irritated everyone except the most hardcore of Gervais fanboys with its weak plots, below-par performances and shockingly unamusing dialogue.

Tonight, Warwick embarked on a quest for religion (cue the introduction of several grating new characters) and insulted a potential love interest when his blind date turned out to be a dwarf. Like him. Geddit?

At this point, it's starting to get uncomfortable to watch the bloody thing. Viewers who tune in at 9.30 on Thursdays are treated to half-an-hour of Gervais' career limping desperately across the screen, a blood trail in tow as it haemorrhages towards its humiliating end.

And with two weeks left before Life's Too Short draws its final breath, those who insist on watching are in for an uncomfortable and unsightly few episodes.

Video: Ricky Gervais & Karl Pilkington on social media

Comedians Ricky Gervias and Karl Pilkington discuss the merits of Twitter and Facebook.

Warwick Davis interview

As Ricky Gervais made headlines in October over posting "mong" jokes on Twitter, accompanied by a picture of his contorted face, people were ready and willing to chastise the actor and his new BBC mockumentary Life's Too Short.

Ricky Gervais cries during tribute to mother in webchat

Ricky Gervais has paid tribute to his late mother during an online webchat.

Life's Too Short was another poor offering from Gervais

Life's Too Short saw Steve Carrell and Les Dennis join the rambling list of celebrities Ricky Gervais and Merchant have assembled to star in the series, but it wasn't enough to save this disappointing comedy.

Ricky Gervais injures back during gym session

Ricky Gervais is in agony after pulling a muscle in his back while working out.

After the low point, as it were, of last week, things pick up slightly, so instead of feeling outrageous and misjudged, the comedy feels merely flat and undercooked. Warwick Davies does sterling work but the kind of deluded, conceited anti-hero he plays needs meaty plots to romp around in and here not enough happens.

Davies's character looks at a flat and gets locked in the bathroom; makes a play to oust the dull chairman of his dwarves' rights group; and sits in on a Skype chat between Ricky Gervais and Steve Carell that goes badly wrong.