It's not surprising that a colorful and lively show like Sesame Street, one devised by the genius that was Muppets creator Jim Henson, was at heart a comedy. What is surprising is that so many adults who grew up with the show still find it so damn funny (or maybe that has more to do with the rise of marijuana use, but beggars can't be users, er, choosers).
In fact, a recent box set of the show's earliest episodes came with a disclaimer that the episodes contained within it were "not for kids." That's also because it contained the rare lost episode from the early 1970s when Grover and Prairie Dawn accidentally wandered into the Plato's Retreat swingers club where they learned the difference between "top" and "bottom".
The point is adults can find just as much to laugh at as their kids do and here are the biggest chortle-makers.
He's currently on Broadway in a play -- with 007 Daniel Craig -- and he "quietly turned down the job" according to sources. It's not because he was a bomb emceeing the proceedings either. He didn't do the "Oprah, Uma, Uma, Oprah" joke nor did he trip on his shoelaces in the opening number. Quite the contrary, in fact. Hugh Jackman was a perfectly fine host.
But he doesn't want to do it in 2010. Maybe he doesn't want to push his luck? Maybe he just doesn't want to work that hard.
During the recent broadcast of the Primetime Emmys, one of the funniest presenters was Ricky Gervais. It's not surprising that Ricky was funny that night. He's a brilliant comic actor, writer and director. I say this even after suffering through The Invention of Lying, a film that had a wonderful premise but was a crappy movie. Nevertheless, I still think he's fantastic. And I will watch the 67th Annual Golden Globes with Ricky Gervais as host.
The NBC censor's finger will surely be on the button January 17, the night of the broadcast, because you could imagine Ricky getting a wee bit close to the line of what you can and cannot say on TV. Although he's probably clever enough to say or do something that the censors wouldn't get till after it airs.
I'm not sure how this is going to change the show (though a show with freaky sponge/squirrel mutant children might be interesting), but SpongeBob SquarePants is getting married! Yes, the yellow square will finally tie the knot with the lady squirrel in the bowl, Sandy.
An idea that was a joke just a few months ago will soon be a reality in London.
The Office: The Opera will hit the stage for a one-night only engagement at London's Proud Galleries Wednesday, August 19. The concept of an operatic version of the Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant classic was used as a spoof for the pair's contribution to this year's U.K. Comic Relief.
In the sketch, Gervais is such an ego-maniacal weed that he wouldn't allow the then-fictional opera to proceed unless a male model portrayed his old role of David Brent. But, Gervais is actually very charity-friendly, so I imagine this was an easy call for he and Merchant.
The Office and Extras star Ricky Gervais might be looking to give up acting to focus more on writing and directing.
As talented and naturally funny as Gervais is, it could be said that he never really took up acting in the first place. While relaxed on camera, he's essentially played himself (or enhanced aspects of himself) in most TV shows or movies he's appeared in so far -- including his starring role in Ghost Town last year.
According to The Daily Star, Gervais is so in love with directing that he'd rather invest his time there, rather than take on more lead or supporting roles (as in the Night at the Museum series).
Michael Lombardo and Richard Plepler of HBO held an executive session at the beginning of HBO's star-studded presentation. Among the news:
The entire Sunday summer lineup: Entourage, True Blood, and Hung will be coming back next summer.
They've ordered an animated series from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant based on their podcasts with the ever-entertaining Karl Pilkington.
On a third season of Flight of the Conchords: "We're ready when they're ready."
The pilot of Boardwalk Empire, directed by Martin Scorsese, has been delivered to HBO. It will be picked up based on what they see. They like what they see so far.
No more Little Britain USA, but they are working with the producers to create specials with all-new characters.
More coming. Stay tuned to our Twitter feed for the latest updates.
Hulu has been making all the right, super-sweet moves lately, at least in my book. Not only is the site streaming the marvelous British comedies Peep Show and Green Wing, but nowSpaced is on Hulu, too. Spaced! You can tell I'm excited because I put an exclamation mark on it. The show has been available on DVD in the States for quite a while, but now that both seasons are online, there really isn't any excuse to not experience it. Is it obvious that I have a weird, almost evangelical need to spread the word?
The creator of the world's most popular sitcom franchise, The Office, should be beyond the reach of critics anywhere. But, Ricky Gervais is preemptively telling reviewers to lay off his new movie, The Invention of Lying.
Gervais doesn't want critics to expect too much. On his blog, he wrote, "Dear critics (everyone), when judging the film, please remember that it is a high concept, PG-13 romantic comedy. It's not Schindler's List or The Godfather."
Ricky Gervais of The Office and Extras fame is going to design a man purse -- but it's for a good cause.
The U.K.'s Prostrate Cancer Charity (part of the Charity Aids Foundation) asked television stars and other celebrities to design a man's handbag for The Manbag Company. Each unique design will be auctioned off to fight prostate cancer.
Of course, Gervais is a funny man and a cool, self-effacing celeb. But, it'll be interesting to see if even he can make something as inherently uncool as a man purse into swag a guy will want to spend money on -- cancer be damned.
Ricky Gervais was on The Late Show with David Letterman on Friday and told a story about writing a letter to President Obama. Was it about the Iraq War or the economy or the environment? No, actually it was about something equally serious that has been troubling him. (Video also here.)
Karl Pilkington, longtime friend and podcasting costar of Ricky Gervais, has a head like an orange. He possesses very little education, an extremely pessimistic take on life, a sad obsession with insects and a perpetually confused world view.
But, even with all that going against him, he holds a share of the Guinness Book of World Records title for most popular podcast with Gervais and Stephen Merchant -- and he's about to star in a new animated series on HBO.
According to Variety, The Office creator will bring The Ricky Gervais Show to TV in a series of 13 animated half-hour episodes. In audio form, the Gervais, Merchant and Pilkington formula features Gervais throwing a vast variety of topics at the intellectually challenged Pilkington to see what sense he can make of them.
Here's another reason to love Adult Swim. Cartoon Network's late night brand -- home to some of the best animated fare on TV, like The Venture Bros. and the awesome G.I. Joe Resolute -- will begin airing the original BBC version of The Office starting this summer.
The network will air both seasons of the British comedy, produced by Ricky Gervais, plus the Christmas special. This is great news for U.S. comedy nerds dying to introduce the show to their friends (and don't feel like buying all three DVD box sets). Hopefully they'll air it in between Aqua Teen and Tim and Eric -- and not at 4 a.m.!
I love this show, and I love the NBC version. I won't even try to compare the two here, since the NBC version has evolved into such a completely different show. But there's one thing the NBC version is missing -- Ricky Gervais. I'm aware of Gervais' producing role on the show, but I've always wanted to see him make a cameo as David Brent -- the UK version of Michael Scott.
Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant must be kvelling, as their BBC brainchild is being developed into its sixth foreign version. This time, David Brent (or whatever the character's name will be) and his paper company will be located in Israel.
Given the political climate in that area of the world, one has to wonder what their office will be like? Will it be shared by Jews and Arabs? Which religion will the central "boss" character be? Will that even come into play?
Ricky Gervais won't be hosting the Oscars tonight, but he'll be doing the next best thing. It looks like Gervais will be writing some of the jokes to be used by host Hugh Jackman and company. If so, then I draw a few conclusions from this:
Tonight's jokes will be swipes at Hollywood and probably the entertainment industry in general. As one can tell from The Office and Extras (and even the BBC article itself), Gervais excels at self-deprecating humor. They will be nasty, but nasty in a funny and cute way that industry insiders and the audience will enjoy. He could even recycle jokes from Extras.
Also, tonight's jokes will be extremely funny if Jackman can deliver them in a Gervais-like style. Hopefully he'll practice them beforehand. I wonder if Stephen Merchant was involved with the joke-writing as well?
If this works out, perhaps he'll accept that offer to host the event next year? Fingers crossed.
It's not surprising that a colorful and lively show like Sesame Street, one devised by the genius that was Muppets creator Jim Henson, was at heart a comedy. What is surprising is that so many adults who grew up with the show still find it so damn funny (or maybe that has more to do with the rise of marijuana use, but beggars can't be users, er, choosers). 
So 
During the recent broadcast of the 
I'm not sure how this is going to change the show (though a show with freaky sponge/squirrel mutant children might be interesting), but SpongeBob SquarePants is getting married! Yes, the yellow square will finally tie the knot with the lady squirrel in the bowl, Sandy.
An idea that was a joke just a few months ago will soon be a reality in London.
Michael Lombardo and Richard Plepler of HBO held an executive session at the beginning of HBO's star-studded presentation. Among the news:
Ricky Gervais of The Office and Extras fame is going to design a man purse -- but it's for a good cause.
Here's another reason to love Adult Swim. Cartoon Network's late night brand -- home to some of the best animated fare on TV, like The Venture Bros. and the awesome G.I. Joe Resolute -- will begin 
The TV Squad Podcast: The Prisoner, '80s TV, soap news and more
Let's talk about spoilers ...
The Prisoner -- An early look
