TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews
Ricky Gervais Making Depressing Moments 'Extra' Funny
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Jan. 12 -- Misery loves Ricky Gervais.
The British comedian has mined pure comedy gold from depressing situations in his hit comedies 'The Office' and 'Extras,' and received critical acclaim and accolades, including two Golden Globes.
Gervais chatted with AOL Television's Kelly Woo about season two of 'Extras,' TV shows to "slash your wrists to," the American version of 'The Office' and the genius of 'The Simpsons.'
What can we look forward to on the second season of 'Extras'?
At the end of series one, Andy got the chance to make a pilot for a sitcom. And he wanted this to be his opus; he wanted it to be a realistic, credible look at a blue collar factory. But people interfered and it got camp, and it got really low ratings with its catchphrases and dressing up -- very retro. So, he realizes now that he's got no respect. He's got fame, he's got success and he's got money, but he's got no respect. Now he's just this lost soul. That actually sounds very depressing, but it's actually quite funny.
Depressing can be very funny.
Well, if you looked at 'The Office' on paper -- a place where nothing happens, with no stars, no jokes and no plot -- that's pretty depressing. It's [Andy's] struggle. It?s him, his useless agent and his sidekick, Maggie. It's following their hopes and dreams. His is to get some respect and credibility back. Next time, he'll go for the thing that he wants to be proud of, not just the thing that will get him on the telly. Maggie's ambition is she is looking for love. His agent is useless and he wants to exploit Andy's newfound fame.
And this is definitely the last season of 'Extras'?
Yeah, I think so. There is a story in the British Press saying that I'm going to do a third series. I'm not going to do a third series.
Will Andy and Maggie ever get together?
I know the answer. It's a platonic relationship, really. On the face of it, people might be disappointed. But it doesn't interfere with anything else. It's a look at their friendship. Imagine if 'Laurel and Hardy' had been gay lovers. It would have ruined it, wouldn't it?
Who have you lined up to guest star?
We've got Orlando Bloom in one, David Bowie in two, Daniel Radcliffe and Diana Rigg in three, Chris Martin from Coldplay and Steven Fry in four ... Robert De Niro popping up in six.
What was it like working with all of these big stars?
They were so good! We got people that were fans of 'The Office.' I still consider them doing me a favor, they certainly don't need to be doing this. I think they have a good time; they have a good time deconstructing their industry image. Obviously, they play a twisted version of themselves. Take Orlando Bloom -- he's in two of the biggest trilogies of all time -- but probably on a day's filming, he might actually be on camera for an hour. The other seven hours, he's sitting in his Winnebago.
David Bowie has always been a hero of mine, so that was quite amazing. But then again so is Robert De Niro. They are all so good at what they do. They are chosen for a very, very specific job. We come up with the person and the idea first, then we approach them. These aren't the sort of roles where we write it and then we put out a mail out: "Does anyone want to do this?" They're all chosen for a very specific reason. The storyline we had for Maggie, we needed the biggest 30 year-old heartthrob in the world, Orlando Bloom. Because Maggie never says no, and we thought, "What if she didn't fancy the world's most fancy-able man." David Bowie has been a hero of mine, and he's to show the difference between a credible artist who never compromises and Andy, the man who's sold his soul to the devil.
Is there anyone that you wish you could've brought onto the show?
There are a lot of people out there that would be lovely to work with. It's not always the most famous icons in the world. They might not suit us. We love the idea of getting icons like De Niro and David Bowie and others who don?t usually pop up in these things. I could list my icons from Bob Dylan to Richard Dawkins the geneticist, but they might not be a right fit. First of all, they have to be able to act. It's no good getting someone that might be the greatest icon in the world, but they can't do the lines. Yeah, there are people I would love to work with. I would love to work with Bob Dylan and Al Pacino.
I'm doing his radio show. I don't know if I'm going to be in the same room, because he's in L.A. It's very cool considering that I think that he is probably the most influential singer-songwriter alive.
How did that come about?
I think his partner, strangely, contacted me through Elvis Costello, who's a mutual friend. And he said, "Bob Dylan wants you on his radio show." And I think I sent back, "Really?" I was definitely into it. So I can tick that; Dylan ticked. So who's next? Al Pacino would be great. Clint Eastwood, who said my favorite thing anyone has ever said about me when we won the Golden Globe. Apparently he turned to someone at his table, "Who the f--k are they?" So it would be good to work with him.
You recently wrote an episode for the American version of 'The Office.' Would you do that again?
No. I feel that it was nice to visit. It's their thing. I've been very careful about that. It's made by Americans for Americans. They have done an amazing job. Greg Daniels pulled off the impossible, really. We came from nowhere with no expectations, and they came after [we won] two Golden Globes and being the most successful British sitcom of all time. NBC could have panicked. There is nothing like it on network television; there are things like it on cable, but they have done an absolutely fabulous job. I love it. It's brilliant. Steve Carell, is just, well, the most famous comedian of all time. How did that happen? He's amazing.
What was it like to work on 'The Simpsons'? You wrote and starred in an episode.
'The Simpsons' is the best show. It's ridiculous. It's too good. It's got heart, it's wickedly satirical, it's funny, it has longevity. Homer is the best comic creation since 'Laurel and Hardy.' So to be asked to be in it -- I could not believe it. That was I think one of the greatest prizes for me -- to be invited to do that. Tick. De Niro, tick. 'Simpsons,' tick.
What's next for you?
I'm doing a tour. They went on sale, and it sold out in an hour. So the first row is probably going for a thousand pounds on eBay.
Any plans for another TV show in the future?
Yeah, definitely. I want to do another comedy/drama with Stephen [Merchant]. I just did a film with Ben Stiller called, 'A Night at the Museum.' And we want to work together again. So we're looking at a project we can do.
Would you like to get more into film?
You know what? ['Museum'] really gave me the taste for it. I did a couple of things this year. I did 'For Your Consideration,' a thing called, 'Stardust' with Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro. That's where I popped the question to him, "Do you want to be in 'Extras'?" And 'A Night at the Museum.' It gave me the acting bug. It's not bad doing stuff that you didn't write. I'm just learning to trust other people. If you get the right director, the right writer, and the right co-star, you can make a good film.
If you created another TV show, what do you think it would be about?
There is one that's been going around since before, 'Extras,' called 'Men at the Pru.' The Prudential is a big insurance company in England. It's going to be set in 1970. A group of twentysomethings in a seaside small town, where the sexual revolution didn't hit. It's about how life can just pass you by and how if you don't grab opportunities you can miss the boat. All my pitches sound like the most depressing things ever. This is a program to slash your wrists to. Hopefully, it's funny.
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