Ricky Gervais Page 3

Comedian Ricky Gervais has moved to defend himself after he made a controversial joke about AIDS on Twitter earlier this week, angering a substantial part of social media as it spread.

The 55 year old former star of ‘The Office’ sparked outrage when he answered a popular Twitter meme that asked “things you can say both during sex and during a funeral” by replying with “AIDS?” on Tuesday (June 20th).

Ricky Gervais sparked outrage after making a joke about AIDS on Twitter

Continue reading: Ricky Gervais Defends Himself After AIDS Joke Controversy

Martin Freeman's acting career has been just as much an unpredictable a journey as his character Bilbo Baggins' Middle Earth quest in 'The Hobbit' series, but can you imagine his two most iconic roles joining together?

Martin Freeman unites The Office with The Hobbit

That's just what 'Saturday Night Live' did when the British actor took to guest hosting the show on Saturday (December 13th 2014). Before he stormed US film and TV with Peter Jackson's 'The Hobbit' and the FX series adaptation of the Coen brothers' 'Fargo', Martin Freeman was arguably best known for his likeable role as Tim Canterbury in Ricky Gervais' sitcom 'The Office'. So what happens when you put an ordinary office environment in Middle Earth?

Continue reading: Martin Freeman's Bilbo Baggins Meets Tim Canterbury In SNL's 'The Office: Middle Earth'

Another treat is in store for movie fans this Christmas as the family favourite Night At The Museum returns for a third and final instalment. Entitled Secret of the Tomb, it follows on from 2009's Battle of the Smithsonian.

Night At The Museum: Secret of the Tomb will be released on December 19th

When the mystical powers of the Tablet of Ahkmenrah that animates that museum’s exhibits at night begin to die out, Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) realises he must travel the globe and meet up with new characters and old favourites in order to restore the artefact’s powers before it disappears forever. Cue a journey to London!

Continue reading: Robin Williams And Ben Stiller Re-Unite For More Magical Mayhem In 'Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb' [Trailer + Pictures]

Netflix probably didn't have any deserved winners of major Emmy awards on Monday night (August 25, 2014). 'House of Cards' - which is fast becoming pure, unadulterated fun more than anything else - was never going to beat 'Breaking Bad' in the outstanding drama category and although 'Modern Family' was the surprise winner of best comedy, 'Orange is the New Black' still had to beat the far superior 'Veep'. Still, it must have felt like two steps back for executives at the streaming service, which has poured cash into quality original content in recent years.

Kevin Spacey [L] and Robin Wright [R] in 'House of Cards'

Nevertheless, the future is bright for Netflix and a glossy new ad featuring Ricky Gervais confirms just how far the service has grown to effectively become ingrained in modern culture. The clip opens with Gervais lounging around in front of the television, musing, "You know when you're watching your favorite Netflix show and after five straight episodes, you want to be in it?"

Continue reading: Despite Emmy Snub, The Future Is Bright For Netflix (Starting With Gervais Ad)

Ricky Gervais is not only currently gearing up for the return of his lovable retirement home worker in sitcom Derek, but is also looking forward to bringing back his legendary character, David Brent, from The Office for more television comedy in the near future.

Ricky Gervais Plans To Bring Back David Brent For More Mockumentary Madness.

The highly divisive 52 year-old actor has done an awful lot to further his career since his first appearance onscreen as the inimitable Wernham Hogg general manager but the BBC mockumentary sitcom has become one of Britain's biggest comedy exports and a repetitive focal point for those extolling the work of the Berkshire-born comedian.

Continue reading: Ricky Gervais On David Brent Comeback, And How 'Derek' Is Different

A return for David Brent has been mooted ever since the character was wheeled out for this Comic Relief song. Now, Brent’s creator, Ricky Gervais, says he’s “hooked” on the comedy hit once more, and can’t wait to bring him back in a similar documentary format.

Ricky Gervais walking around North London

"I didn't want to keep Brent going because I wanted to do other things," he said. "But now I've done other things, it feels safe to revisit it. It's a joy - I got hooked again. I love it, particularly the songs. I'm a failed pop-star and I always sneak a song in, he added. 

Continue reading: Ricky Gervais Is "Hooked" On David Brent Again - Former Paper Merchant To Return

Ricky Gervais and his crew have begun filming for the second series of his hit Channel 4 series Derek today. Pictures show the David Brent creator riding a small girls’ bike, while a body double presumably shoots some sort of ridiculous crash.

Ricky Gervais rides about, filming for Derek

A clean-shaven Gervais sports Derek’s now-iconic brown cardigan as – away from the confines of the nursing home – he tears around London on a little girl’s bike.

Continue reading: He's Back! Ricky Gervais Films Season 2 Of Derek In London [Pictures]

Ricky Gervais has just completed his first two gigs at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre as alter-ego David Brent. If you’re wondering, the high expectations were completely justified. We saw a much needed glimpse of David Brent earlier this year – Gervais’ office-manager-turned-rock-star delivered the laughs with Equality Street for Comic Relief. And of course, there was the massively successful YouTube series Learn Guitar with David Brent.

Check out Gervais' alter ego as his own alter ego, below.

This time Gervais’ hilariously awkward Office character returns in a full-blown stage show, backed by the rather aptly named band Foregone Conclusion. A lot of people were willing to spend a lot of money to get to spend forty or so minutes with David Brent (not counting a confident warm-up performance from Doc Brown). Some tickets were reportedly sold at upwards of £1000, according to The Independent.

Continue reading: David Brent Lives! Ricky Gervais Live Show Brings Back The Character In Full Force

Ricky Gervias has dropped a serious hint that David Brent might be due yet another comeback, this time in cinemas, as a David Brent movie, in which the ex-Manager-cum-sales rep tries to break into the music business following his collaboration with Doc Brown.

Gervias plans to pop Brent on the big screen

The Hollywood Reporter have the comedian on the front cover of their latest issue, whereby Gervias strikes a ridiculous pose, smoking a cigar lit by cash. To them, he divulges plans for the movie, and his ostentatious – if not a little bit funny – cover photo implies the motivation behind it.

Continue reading: Big Screen Brent? Ricky Gervais Hints At Movie For Seminal Character

Netflix is to launch in the Netherlands in late 2013. The streaming giant is currently available in 40 countries worldwide and provides a range of film and television shows on demand. It is the biggest internet television channel with 36 million users, according to their website. 

Fees for subscription are relatively low especially in comparison with other commercial television channels such as Sky and Virgin. Dutch users, as in the 40 countries where it is currently available, will be able to stream videos from their computer, tablet, mobile, television or any device which has internet connection.

The company has expanded dramatically since it was established in 2009. In doing so Netflix has been able to finance a number of independent projects including their critically acclaimed (and hugely popular) dramas such as House of Cards and Arrested Development. 

Continue reading: Netflix To Launch In Netherlands: Its 41st Country!

There’s no hidden premise, no hidden meaning. Jerry Seinfeld’s latest project comprises him, a fellow comedian, a car and some coffee. The cars are beautiful things – all vintage and expensive looking – and the chats are nothing less than hilarious and engaging.

Season 1 included gusts like Larry David, Ricky Gevais Jerry’s Seinfeld costar Michael Richards, who played Kramer on the show so masterfully. Seinfeld’s and Richards chat is something to behold; it’s genuine and touching. A real mastery of ‘chat’. Of season two, Seinfeld said: "I know these people, and this is it — this is what they're really like. You walk out on a talk show, you know, 'I'm on here for eight minutes; I want to make sure I tell a funny story or do an interesting anecdote.' You're not just going to be sitting there tapping a coffee stirrer on the table, but you can do that on this show. So nobody feels that pressure to perform, and I do feel like I am capturing their true demeanor and energy." If you like old cars, comedians OR coffee, then you’ll have already seen season 1.

Other highlights include Bob Einstein, who plays Marty Funkhouser in Curb Your Enthusiasm. But what fans will be dying to see is the full unedited content, as the shows are just 10 minutes long. "It's simple to shoot, and we do spend a lot of time reducing what is sometimes a two- or three-hour experience down to what I feel is the juiciest 14 minutes of that. I think editing is one of the great luxuries. I think it's one of the things life really needs,” added Seinfeld. 

Continue reading: 'Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee' Season 2 Premieres Today

The U.S Office closes its doors after nine seasons tonight, with the season finale expected to attract millions of viewers. As it’s officially ‘season finale season’, we thought this would be a good time to pit The Office up against it’s predecessor: The Office…

We’ve split this up into five nice categories: critical response, originality, longevity, viewing figures and legacy. Way we see it, that makes a nice ‘best of five situation’ to sort out at the end. An added bonus is the lack of hard math. Here we go.

Continue reading: The Office U.K Versus The Office U.S – Which One Wins?

Never has a U.K import been so popular. The U.S Office is finally shutting down after nine seasons of awkward silences, work-place japes and, of course, paperwork.

A remake of David Brent’s original British comedy, which lasted two seasons in the U.K, the American version displayed greater longevity, but that’s not what the show runners predicted. In fact, the first season wasn’t received nearly as warmly as the subsequent eight. "I just wanted to do something with a faithful tone," executive producer Greg Daniels says.

Will Steve Carell make a Brent-like return? Will Brent make a Brent-like return!?

Continue reading: 'The Office' Closes Its Doors After Nine Hilarious Seasons

Justin Bieber has been under fire for the past 24 hours after suggesting World War II diarist Anne Frank - a girl who died at the hands of the Nazis after hiding from them for 2 years - would have been a 'belieber.' The young pop-superstar left the comment in a guest book at the Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam, Holland, with many taking it as disrespectful. Among the critics was Ricky Gervias, who initially mocked the 19-year-old on Twitter. "I agree with Justin Bieber. Anne Frank would've loved his stuff. It's perfect for being played really really quietly so no one can hear it," he said.

The Office actor followed it up by mocking the Beliebers who had come to Justin's defence, saying, "30 million illiterate teenage girls are now crying... and asking Google 'Who is this b**ody Anne woman that Justin likes so much?" before adding, "Joan of Arc was a great girl. I hope she would have been a Gervatheist (sic)." However, after hundreds of others jumped on the bandwagon and began hurling abuse at Bieber, Gervais ended the jibes and just about hit the nail on the head. "On a serious note: I think we should remember that Bieber wasn't being nasty. He's a prat, but not evil. Just a bit gimp."

It's perhaps best to remember that, for all his idiotic tendencies and few brain cells, Bieber took time out of his schedule (on a Friday evening) to visit the museum for himself. "His comments were quite innocent," said a museum spokeswoman. "He was here for more than hour and interested in Anne Frank's life, and that for us is the most important thing." Who knows, his presence may encourage other youngsters to visit the historical site, the hiding place of Anne Frank and her family during World War II. She was eventually discovered by the Nazis and died at the notorious Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany in 1945.

Continue reading: Did Ricky Gervais Just Hit The Nail On The Head Re: Justin Bieber?

It's mockery all round for Justin Bieber, after the pop star made inappropriate comments following his visit to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. The teenage superstar, who has seemingly created controversy on every stop of his European tour, visited the hiding place of the young Holocaust victim, before suggesting she would have been 'a Belieber'. Yes, he did say that.

"Truly inspiring to be able to come here," he tweeted, which is fine. "Anne was a great girl. Hopefully she would have been a belieber," which is not so fine. Frank became a symbol of the suffering of Jews during the Second World War, keeping a diary while she and her family hid from the Nazis in the Netherlands. She died in the notorious Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in March 1945 aged just 15 after her hiding place was uncovered by the SS.

Most online commentators vented their anger at Bieber. "She would've been a WHAT? That little idiot is way to [sic] full of himself. She's an important historical figure so show some respect", said one user. Comedian Ricky Gervais joked, "I agree with Justin Bieber. Anne Frank would've loved his stuff.It's perfect for being played really really quietly so no one can hear it," while another said, "Justin Bieber actually thinks if Anne Frank was alive, she would be a fan.... wow dont you think she would of suffered enough?!"

Continue reading: History Lesson: Justin Bieber Claims Anne Frank 'Would Have Been A Belieber'

Ricky Gervais has come a long way since the British comedy smash that was The Office. He made the similarly brilliant Extras, and then went on to break podcasting records with his comedy cohorts Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington.

But things took a turn for the absurd soon after. Reaching dangerous levels of popularity, Gervais took an ill-fated swerve to Hollywood, attempting to translate his brand of awkward comedy to the U.S with the Ghost Town and The Invention of Lying.

Continue reading: David Brent Returns, 10 Years After Wernham Hogg – For Better Or For Worse?

"What's happened in the last 10 years? What hasn't happened in the last 10 years?" David Brent asks in his triumphant return. 

To describe Brent as a beloved character of British comedy is something of a fallacy. He's a grotesque caricature of someone we can all recognise. A character we love to hate to love; monstrously irritating, casually racist, sexist but ultimately endearing in his endeavours to do right. He just doesn't quite know what right is. 

Now a part time music producer, part time cleaning product salesman, the 10 minute episode that aired on YouTube last night during Comic Relief exhibited Brent at his cringe-tastic best, with hilarious one liners and those uncomfortable moments that go on a little too long. New Brent gems include: "I'm like a local Simon Cowell... better really!", "So can all you lot rap then? Could Trevor McDonald rap if he really had to?" and "I don't look at what things say. I know how they feel."

Continue reading: Brent's Back: Red Nose Day Delight As Ricky Gervais' Character Returns To Screens

The Muppets are back with a global-wide follow-up to their self-titled 2011 movie entitled 'The Muppets. Again!'.

You heard right, we have yet another great movie coming up from these amazing characters brought us by Disney. Following the Oscar winning success of 'The Muppets' in 2011 which starred Jason Segel ('How I Met Your Mother') and Amy Adams ('Enchanted'), it's sequel 'The Muppets. Again!' will be released in cinemas everywhere on March 21st 2014. It sees Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and friends on a worldwide journey touring the likes of London, Berlin and Madrid and selling out some of the biggest theatres across Europe. However, they soon run into trouble when they unknowingly get mixed up in a major international crime ring controlled by the formidable Constantine (played by the hilarious Ricky Gervais of 'The Office', 'Extras' and 'Derek' fame) and his assistant Dominic. 

Continue reading: The World's Favourite Puppets Return With The New Film 'The Muppets... Again!' (Pictures)

A special Donald Trump announcement, which saw him promise to donate $5 million to Obama's favourite charity if the president released his college records and passport information, has been met by a less than favourable response from a few choice celebrities.

In a rare moment of genuine wit, which would probably be better applied to some of his music, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 tweeted: "Will someone tell Donald Trump we don't live in Gotham City?" And it was the micro blogging site that proved to be a breeding ground for comic responses to the frankly bizarre request from Trump; ‘The Office’ star Rainn Wilson posted, "I will pay 5 million dollars to see copies of Donald Trump's humility," while her show’s creator, Ricky Gervais tweeted, "I will give $500 to charity if Donald Trump gives up his hairdresser's passport and college records." Singer Josh Groban tweeted, "For Halloween I'm going to be Donald Trump! Gonna comb over my hair and not give 5 million dollars to charity!"

Perhaps the most important commentator on Mr. Trump is Obama himself, who of course was the subject of the odd YouTube upload. "What's this thing with Trump and you?" Leno asked on The Tonight Show, reports The L.A Times. "This all dates back to when we were growing up together in Kenya," Obama responded. "We had constant run-ins on the soccer field. He wasn't very good and resented it. When we finally moved to America, I thought it would be over." We at Contact Music will give $5 to our chosen charity if Donald Trump ever says anything sensible. And that’s a promise.

Continue reading: Donald Trump Obama 'October Surprise': What Do The Celebs Think?

Ashton Kutcher has been named TV’s highest paid actor. The Two and a Half Men star may have disgraced himself in the celebrity gossip world, by allegedly cheating on his partner Demi Moore, but in the world of television, he’s still hot property and commands a staggering fee for his appearances in the show.

According to Forbes’ annual survey of the highest paid television actors, Kutcher earned $24 million between May 2011 and May 2012. His predecessor on Two and a Half Men, Charlie Sheen (who left the show in a pretty dramatic fashion after suffering what appeared to be some kind of mental breakdown) did not even make the Top 10. That said, when Sheen was at the top of his game, he out-classed Kutcher significantly, with earnings of $40 million. Sheen wasn’t the only big name star to mysteriously disappear from the Top 10 though. Steve Carell, who proved to be a massive hit on the small screen with the US adaptation of Ricky Gervais’ The Office, also dropped off the list.

Snapping at Kutcher’s heels at the top of the list was Hugh Laurie, who ranked second with $18 million, largely for his role in House. Ray Romano earned an equal amount, and still appears to be raking it in with re-runs of his classic Everybody Loves Raymond comedy. Alec Baldwin’s in next with $15 million, still charming TV audiences with his role in 30 Rock.

Being dropped from the Golden Globes can't be a nice feeling, especially for a British male, in favour of two American women, whose nationality and gender were already somewhat of a threat. So, it was in maintaining a stiff upper lip (retaining those age old British traditions) that Ricky Gervais gave a statement to EW, saying: “Good luck to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler at the Golden Globes. After failing three years in a row to make E! Channel's Best Dressed list, I decided to hand over the reins.”

Gervais had hosted the Golden Globes, one of the biggest film award ceremonies in the U.S. However, while his acerbic and astute wit delighted his British audience, often his humour was just a little too far for the Americans who were sometimes merely rendered mute in confusion, or, worst case scenario: really rather offended. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will hopefully not quite make the same mistakes. Everyone speaking on behalf of the Fey/Poehler choices cites “unparalleled comedic timing.” But it seems the choice of Fey and Poehler for 2013 is just as excellent comedic timing, as their role in the Golden Globes is almost a perfect match against Seth MacFarlane as the host for the Oscars just three days after the Golden Globes.

Gervais offered up jokes about scientology in case the girls have some problem with that 'impeccable comedic timing', but he did well not to give advice on their red carpet attire. Clearly he's the first to admit it's not his domain. The Golden Globes will be awarded January 13th 2013.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are to host the Golden Globes this year as a team effort, reports Bloomberg. But should the candid services of Ricky Gervais have been retained? We’re in two minds.

Takla-O'Reilly, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, is (obviously) happy with the decision: "The unparalleled comedic timing of Tina and Amy will surely have viewers wanting to tune-in to see them in action," she said. "The HFPA is thrilled to have the magnetic duo be a part of the show's 70th anniversary!" Sure, fine; they’ll be nice and funny, and they won’t offend anyone. But that’s what we’ll miss. Ricky Gervais’ confident, and biting style has become infamous, and it’s something the ceremony will really miss. A classic Golden Ricky Globe was: “Looking at all the wonderful faces here today reminds me of the great work that’s been done this year… by cosmetic surgeons,” he said, to a room of awkward laughter. Perhaps one of his most controversial jokes, though, was this: “I hope I haven’t offended anyone. It’s not my fault [points at his drink]. I like a drink as much as the next man. Unless the next man is Mel Gibson.” Ouch! We thank the Independent for reminding us of those.

"Having both Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on board to host this year's festivities is a major coup," said Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming at NBC. "Tina and Amy have a proven chemistry and comedic timing from their many years together on 'SNL' to their successful co-starring roles in 'Baby Mama.'" At least they think dropping The Office star was a good idea. The Globes are set to air Jan. 13, three days before the Oscars.

British actors Julie Christie and Daniel Day-Lewis have won the top acting prizes at the Screen Actors' Guild (SAG) awards.

While Christie took the best actress gong for her acclaimed portrayal of a woman facing dementia in Sarah Polley's Away From Her, Day-Lewis was rewarded for his stunning role as an amoral oil prospector in Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood.

Though the awards season has been jeopardised by the ongoing industrial action by the Writers' Guild of America (WGA), the SAG awards were held without a hitch after an interim agreement was signed between the two unions, allowing acting talent to attend the ceremony without having to cross picket lines.

Christie - who is nominated for the best actress Academy award for her part in Away From Her - paid tribute to the SAG, adding to The Associated Press: "It's lovely to receive an award from your own union, especially at a time when we're being so forcefully reminded how important unions are."

And Day-Lewis dedicated his award to the late Heath Ledger, who was tragically found dead in his New York apartment last week.

"In Brokeback Mountain he was unique, he was perfect," Day-Lewis said while accepting his trophy.

"That scene in the trailer at the end of the film is as moving as anything I think I've ever seen."

The 50-year-old added backstage that he had never met Ledger but had been profoundly affected by the actor's death.

"I thought he was beautiful. I just had a very strong feeling I would have liked him very much as a man," he said. "I admired him very much. I'm absolutely certain he would have done many wonderful things in his life."

Javier Bardem took the best supporting actor prize for his role as psychotic killer Anton Chigurh in the Coen Brothers' No Country For Old Men, which also won the award for outstanding cast in a motion picture.

With The Sopranos finally coming to an end, leads James Gandolfini and Edie Falco claimed the best actor and best actress prizes for TV dramas, while Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, the stars of NBC's 30 Rock, took the comedy equivalents.

And another NBC series, The Office - an adaptation of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's Golden Globe-winning sitcom - won the award for best cast in a comedy programme.

Continue reading: Brits Julie Christie And Daniel Day-lewis Take Sag Awards