Life's Too Short

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.

Five weeks in, and it's hard to shake the suspicion that Life's Too Short is Gervais and Merchant on autopilot. This is strikingly lazy stuff, comprised of little more than a predictable checklist of taboos and social faux pas. Tonight, at the recommendation of his spiritual guide, Warwick gets back on the dating scene. He starts seeing another dwarf, but becomes increasingly embarrassed by the attention their dates brings. The main failing is in the inconsistent, underwritten Warwick.

This spoof documentary sitcom has been a bit Gervais-by-numbers, complete with social awkwardness, conspiratorial glances to camera, and celebrities playing monstrous versions of themselves. Following directly after the beautifully weighted Rev, it's even felt a little bit sour on occasion. But it still has its moments, which this week are provided by dwarf Warwick Davis's search for spiritual fulfilment through a catty spiritual counsellor and "psychic housekeeper" called Brian ("I told him about the divorce and he said he needs to feng shui my soul. And you can't argue with that").

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.

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.

Life's Too Short, 1.4 - episode 4

There's not much point in reviewing Life's Too Short too deeply now, as I think I've said all that needs to be said about its quality. It's a big disappointment for many reasons, but mainly because it isn't very funny and the targets of its humour are so lazy.

Last week's episode of the "Let's All Laugh At Dwarfs" sitcom skidded right across the line from poor taste into the downright offensive.

This week, we're back on slightly safer ground, although the show would get a much easier ride if it was clear whether we're supposed to be laughing WITH Warwick Davis instead of merely at him.

This week he falls out of his car, again, down a toilet and off a bookcase.

It doesn't do much for ­political ­correctness, but it is an excellent showcase for Davis's comedic skills.

Meanwhile, they've saved on the plane fare for this week's big name guest star - Steve Carell from the US version of The Office - who appears via Skype.

No such expense was spared for Right Said Fred, though, who turn up in the flesh to give Warwick a leg-up at the Society Of People Of Small Stature.

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.

Thursday night seems to be BBC Two's night for comedies that don't actually provide many laughs (see Rev). In Ricky Gervais's dwarf mockumentary, Warwick Davis finds his estranged wife is getting comfy with her solicitor - who has already moved his slippers into the former marital home. It's another enjoyable episode, but far from laugh-out-loud funny.