Life's Too Short

"My name is Warwick Davis. I'm the UK's go-to dwarf." Four years on from Extras - and eight since the last episodes of The Office - Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant return to their mockumentary roots with this excruciatingly funny sitcom starring 3ft 6in actor Warwick Davis as a rather down-at-heel version of his real self. Trailed by a camera crew making a documentary about his life as a film star and dwarf talent agent, Warwick - who's been in everything from Return of the Jedi to the Harry Potter movies - has hit hard times and is keen to brush over embarrassing realities and make a good impression. "I want people to see a sophisticated dwarf-about-town who carries himself with dignity. I'm a role model, a bit like Martin Luther King..."

Making viewers feel as uncomfortable about their political correctness as their prejudice is Gervais and Merchant's stock in trade, and the cringe-making moments pile up relentlessly. They also revive a key ingredient of Extras, cramming the series with as many celebrity guest appearances as possible. Liam Neeson gets the lion's share of the self-deprecation tonight, although Extras regular Shaun Williamson also gets to make a familiar contribution.

Reality and satire get even closer in this latest offering from Gervais and Merchant. In this supposed documentary series, we follow actor Warwick Davis, "the UK's go-to dwarf". Davis plays himself as a cross between David Brent and Tony Blair, a man with a delusional sense of his own importance, who sees himself as a valued character player, and campaigner ("like Martin Luther King") but who sees others of his stature as slightly pitiable. Liam Neeson guests, expressing a wish to debut his spectacularly unfunny standup comedy.

'We often deal in taboo...' - Gervais and Merchant

The creators of The Office are to unleash a new sitcom, shortly, about a dwarf actors' agency. But, says Gerard Gilbert, don't mention the 'M word'

You suspect Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and BBC2 are getting their defence in first with this "making of" doc, screened before the start on Thursday of their new comedy series, Life's Too Short, starring dwarf actor Warwick Davis.

Gervais insists they aren't making fun of small people, though the Davis character has "a small man complex". Celebrity guests doing Extras-type cameos - Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson and Helena Bonham Carter - tell us why they wanted to take part.

Gervais: Laughing because Warwick's a liar, not a dwarf

An interview with Ricky Gervais about disability in comedy.

Ricky Gervais: 'Bring on the haters'

In 10 years, the 'little fat bloke' from Reading has become a comedy god. But after the 'mong' row, and on the eve of his new TV show Life's Too Short, have we fallen out of love with Ricky Gervais?

Life's Too Short: watch an exclusive clip - video

Life's Too Short, a new comedy series written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, is a fake documentary starring real-life dwarf actor Warwick Davis as a fictional version of himself - fame obsessed and self-centred but always getting his comeuppance.

Ricky Gervais: 'It's not our best, but the funniest'

Back with a new sitcom, Life's Too Short, Ricky Gervais talks us about his latest project...

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant interview

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant tell TV Choice more about Life's Too Short, and reflect on how it compares to their earlier work in The Office and Extras...

Size matters: Warwick Davis is no small talent

The actor has starred in Star Wars, every Harry Potter film, and now his very own Ricky Gervais-scripted BBC comedy series.