Ricky Gervais' upcoming US Interviews

Ricky Gervais will be at the Tribeca Film festival in NY on Fri 22nd April 2016 premiering his new Netflix film 'Special Correspondents' along with his co-stars: Eric Bana, Kevin Pollack, America Ferrera and Raul Costello and producers, with a Q&A afterwards. 


Tickets for this are unfortunately sold out so congratulations to the lucky ones who managed to get some; but for the rest of us the good news is that Ricky will be all over US Television screens with some confirmed US chat show appearances.

These are his confirmed upcoming US Interviews (All are listed in Eastern Time):

Monday April 25 2016: 

• The Today Show NBC 7AM

• The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon NBC 11.35PM

Tuesday April 26 2016: 

• AOL Build Livestream 11AM ET but you can watch online anytime afterwards here.

• Late Night with Seth Meyers NBC 12.37AM ET

Wednesday April 27 2016: 

• Live with Kelly and Michael 9AM (Stations vary according to state)

• The Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda NBC 10AM

Thursday April 28 2016:     

• The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Comedy Central 11PM

Check local listings for details as timings may differ between states.

Ricky may also be on The Opie show with Jim Norton but we will keep you updated once this is confirmed.

David Brent is back in an Office in new stills from The Office spin-off feature film 'David Brent: Life on the Road'

This week is week 4 of filming on Ricky Gervais' latest project 'David Brent: Life on the Road' according to Ricky Gervais' blog.
The story so far, is that David Brent is touring on the road with his band Foregone Conclusion (with former We are Scientists and Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows) and rapper 'Dom' played by Ben Bailey Smith. 'Dom' was also featured in David Brent's Equality Street video.

'David Brent on the road with his band 'Foregone Conclusion'
Image courtesy of Ricky Gervais' Twitter @rickygervais

This week, according to his blog, Ricky is filming all the storylines to do with his job as a sales rep and he is back in an 'Office' setting, but with a whole new cast. 
Ricky has tweeted a couple of pictures so far and he has revealed that David Brent now works for a company called 'Lavichem', sounds glamourous we know.

Image courtesy of Ricky Gervais' Twitter page @rickygervais

Ricky also posted this  picture from inside his new office with the caption "Great to be back in the office. A new dawn.

Image courtesy of Ricky Gervais' Twitter page @rickygervais

This new 'Dawn' get it? is of course British actress Mandeep Dhillon who has appeared in BBC Three comedy 'Some Girls' as well as more recently in the play 'Anita and Me'.  

Even though this film may not have any of the original The Office cast except for David Brent, from this image it appears that Brent is still having the same effect on his staff and is as 'Brentertaining' as ever. Other cast members include Jo Hartley from 'This is England' fame and Abbie Murphy an up and coming British comedienne as well as Andrew Brooke who is well known for playing 'Ashley' in Channel 4 comedy Phoneshop and Tom Bennett who played Christopher in Phoneshop as well as having various other roles.

The full cast list was published by Radio Times a few weeks back and can be seen here

The film is produced by Charlie Hanson and written and directed by Ricky Gervais, with eOne films and BBC films being the distributors.

There is only one more week to go until the film wraps and we hope to see it on our screens worldwide around August 19th 2016; with fans also being promised an album and some more live gigs (possibly worldwide).

Bring on the hilarious cringeworthy awkwardness, the Brent-isms and the singing. 

Cannot bloody wait!

(Photo credits: Ray Burmiston, Natalie Seery)

Ricky Gervais' Entire Facebook Q&A-October 29th 2014

Q: Hi Ricky - have you ever eaten a sausage that has gone cold, and got that little bit of horrible white fat stuck to the bottom?

A: Is this some awful prison slang?

Q: Do you actually have Instagram because I posted a birthday message and you liked it but none of my friends believed it was you

A: Yes. http://instagram.com/rickygervais

Q: Do you shave your balls

A: Of course I don't, I have a butler.

Q: Do you like joe rogan? It seemed like you weren't getting on, when you were on Opie and Anthony.

A: Really? We got on great. Yeah, I really like him.

Q: Any chance of hosting the Golden Globe Awards again?

A: Never say never. :-)

Q: Just do the catchphrase!!

A: You 'avin' a laff?

Q: Who are your comedic inspirations?

A: Laurel and Hardy, Christopher Guest and real life

Q: What is your biggest 'wow' moment?

A:Probably winning my first Golden Globe award.

Q:Will you do anything more with Constantine?

A:I love that little guy.

Q:Who's your favourite philosopher?

A:Bertrand Russell. And Dolly Parton and Des'ree, of course.

Q:What's your favourite place in England?

A:London and Bath probably.

Q:What scares you?

A:Spiders and dying. In that order.

Q:What was your first job

A:Hyperactive child.

Q:Ricky, what's the meaning of life?

A:To enjoy it.

Q:Were you a funny kid? Like class clown?

A:I certainly thought so.

Q:HI Ricky, just wondering with all the hilarious outtakes how many scenes did not make it to the show? Thanks

A:I'd say 25% of all filming is ruined through laughing.

Q:The invention of Lying is my all time fave movie. Did you cowrite it? Brilliant

A:Thank you.

Q:What is your favouritest Australian animal?

A:They're all mental, in a good way, but I love wombats and platypuses.

Q:Night at the museum 3?

A:Good question. Yes.

Q:How's Robin? Has he developed a stutter?

A:No, but his hair's falling out fast.

Q:If you could give the human race one message, what would it be?

A:The Derek DVD is out now in Australia. Go forth and buy it.

Q:When is The Office movie scheduled for release??

A:2016.

Q:Ricky! Where do I start? Why are you an atheist?

A:The better question is "why isn't everyone?"  :-)

Q:Do you scare yourself sometimes?

A:Yeah, in dreams. I don't know why.

Q:Do you have a girlfriend Ricky?

A:Yes, her name is Jane and as you can see from my picture, she is a very lucky girl.

Q:What are the 39 steps?

A:I don't know but I'm taking the lift.

Q:Are you shy, quiet and reserved in real life? Are you acting?

A:I'm not shy but I'm quite private and I don't like crowds much.

Q:Mine is a statement, not a question....you are fucking awesome!!!  :-D

A:Mine is not an answer, it is just so people can see your statement.

Q:Which is the better biscuit, custard cream or bourbons?

A:Neither are great, but custard cream by far. Bourbons are awful. There, I said it.

Q:Do you answer questions in your " Q and A " sessions ?

A:No.

Q:What was it like to work with Gerard Kelly? Bunny was one of my favourite characters in Extras, and it's quite sad that he's passed away.

A:He was hilarious. All the time.

Q:How is writing the new stand up show.?When can we expect it?. I'm very much looking forward to it. Hopefully you tour Australia with it.

A:I have a bag full of notes but stand-up seems to be the thing that gets pushed back as new film and TV projects rear their heads

Q:How on earth you manage to be so super handsome all the time?

A:It's what baby Jesus wanted

Q:My daughter loves when you find things in your bellybutton!!

A:I found this today.

Q:Will there be a Derek season 3?

A:No, same as The Office and Extras... 2 series and a special.

Q:Hi Ricky. Could you please say hi to my two daughters Nicola and Sophie. (They stayed up)

A:Hello Nicola and Sophie.

Q:Are you going to make anymore of the office? X

A:Sort of. I'm writing a movie based around what David Brent is doing now. He's working as a rep but spending his hard-earned cash on touring with Foregone Conclusion to try to make it as a rock star.

Q:Watched Ghost Town on the weekend. Loved it. Xx

A:Cheers

Q:What inspires your comedy ?

A:Real life, with a twist.

Q:Hey Ricky! Are you ever going to do a comedy tour in Australia?

A:I'd love to come to Australia one day but I want to do it when I have enough time to really explore your beautiful nation.

Q:Hey Ricky!!! 

Just wondering what

your inspiration for Derek was? Did you find it hard to find a balance between

humor and life in the series? Do you see any future series ahead for Derek? 

Are there any projects on the horizon for yourself, Steve and Karl in

the future? 

Ps. Your work is hilarious and incredible – and even that is an

understatement!

A:The main inspiration came from the fact that most of the women in my family were and still are care workers. I'm about to film the special next month. Thanks for watching.

Q:Can't see any replies, hmmmm.

A:Refresh the page.

Ricky's Facebook Q&A August 2014

Here is Ricky's entire Facebook Q&A for you to read at your leisure:

Q: Are you really going to make a David Brent film?
A: I'm really going to try. I might die before I finish it though :)

Q:Whom would you like to work with most, on a film or TV project?
A:Kristin Wiig, Ryan Gosling, Eric Bana, Mr. Sidney Poitier.

Q:You call your crazy photos bath pics do you have a name for those that aren't in the bath but they are just as crazy? Love you Ricky. Good Luck at the Emmys. :)
A: Pics :)

Q:If you were a worm how long would you be?
A: From head to tail? Or from head to my enormous balls?

Q:Mr. Gervais...love your work, love your passion, love you! My question...Do you like animals more than people?
A: I like nice people as much as animals.

Q:Do you think you'll answer all these questions?
A: Yes. I mean no. Damn I've wasted time!

Q:Do you still have the suit made out of curtains?
A: Sadly no. And I'd need bigger curtains these days.

Q:What would be your advice to someone who wants to become a writer in comedy?
A: http://time100.time.com/2013/12/08/be-a-cocky-little-nobody/

Q:You got a US stand up show planned anytime soon?
A: I'd love to do another US tour. My live work keeps getting pushed back whenever a TV or film project comes along.

Q: Favourite character in The Office?
A: Gareth. I based him on a guy I went to school with. That's why he seems like an adolesecent. Kev is based on his best friend. There were two of them in my class. Imagine that.

Q: So when are you going vegan :-)?
A:Gradually. But I like cheese too much. I'm weak.

Q:How old were you when you decided that you were an atheist?
A: 8

Q:Where do you see yourself in 10 years from now?
A:In the hot seat, of course.

Q:Have you ever stepped barefoot in your cat's vomit?
A: Yes, as she usually does it in the middle of the night right by the bed.

Q: You were once fat and now you're less fat. Elaborate.
A: I used to consume more calories than I burned. Then I started to consume less calories than I burned. Science. :)

Q: Any more live shows planned for David Brent?
A:Not in the diary yet but I'm definitely going to do more. They're so much fun.

Q: What's black and white but red all over?
A:A newspaper, a sunburnt penguin and a nun with a javelin through her neck.

Q: What's your favourite record at the moment?
A: Keaton Henson's last album.

Q: Who is your favourite comedian 'not including yourself'?
A: Me. I never read the last part of the question.

Q:Do you still have Kev's painting from Derek?
A:No. I donated it to the local church.

Q:Will you come to lovely Calgary Alberta and have a drink with me?
A: I drove from Calgary to Banff a couple of years ago and it really is the most beautiful countryside on earth.

Q: BISHOP MUZOREWA!
A:Bashing the bishop!

Q:Will David Brent release an album?
A:Would you buy it?

Q:Best book you read?
A:The Bible. It's given me a lifetime of material.

Q:Thought Derek was a masterpiece BTW
A:Cheers.

Q:What is your honest opinion about Sweden?
A: Love it. Smart, liberal, cold.

Q: Are you hardcore atheist or have you got an agnostic side?A: The two are not mutually exclusive. One concerns itself with belief, the other with knowledge.     We are all technically agnostic. Believers don't know but choose to believe there is a god. Atheists don't know so choose to not believe there is a god.

Q: Can you play that accordion yet?
A: It depends what you mean by play.

Q: Come to Dallas! !!
A:I've been to San Antonio. I assume it's similar, right?

Q: No question but a comment, sir  Just wanted to thank you for all your work. "Derek" touched me so much and inspired me to move in with my father. I lived just across town from him but this is much better. He was diagnosed with dementia. I love that goofball  Also, I just completed my training as a hospice volunteer. During the breaks in the all day training, we all talked about "Derek" around the table; it touched us all so deeply  Thanks again!
A: Thank you 

Q: How are your going to answer all these questions ?

A:I'm not.

Q: What do you imagine Eric Hitchmo looks like?

A:He's based on an old guy I used to work with who accidentally retired a year early because he got his age wrong. He had to come back in the next week and ask if he could come back for a year. True.

Q: I don't have a question but want to say thanks for everything you do to help animals. 

A: My pleasure 

Q: Hey, when are you going to do Humanity?!

A:I've been busy 

Q: Which Hollywood A lister that you have met do you think is the most down to earth and normal?

A: Tom Hanks

Q: Will you be making a third season of Derek?

A: think I'm going to keep to my usual format of 2 series and a special. The special will be amazing though. I promise. (Not legally binding, no money back)

Q:Are you ever going to come and see us in Australia?

A:It's on my bucket list

Q: Are you against religion?

A:No. Religion is never wrong.

Q:Who does yer tampons?

A: Nobby Burton, 2 for a tenner, yes please.

Q: Favourite philosopher?

A:Bertand Russell. No, wait, Des' ree.

Q: Have you considered doing another 'The Office UK?'

A: Not The Office as such, but I intend to catch up with what Brent us doing now and what he's been up to since leaving Wernham Hogg.

Q:Favourite movie?
A: Godfather.

Q: Will David Brent ever perform in the US? (More specifically CA
A: One day I'm sure he will, yes

Q: Why is the training day your favourite episode. Of the office?

A: I like how he showed he still wanted to be a pop star. I also like the way he so wanted to be in charge he was happy to shout: "I think there's been a rape up there!"

Q: What's next? More Derek? More Idiot Abroad? More Brent?
A: A Derek special hopefully, an Office update with a Brent movie and then another stand-up tour. But in the immediate future I need to get the Emmys out of the way. Did I mention I'm nominated for another Emmy? :)

Gervais: "I'm not doing television to make money" Ricky's interview with Expressen.se

Ricky Gervais' interview with Expressen.se roughly translated into English using Google Translate so apologies if some sentences do not make sense but you get the gist of it!
The original article is here: http://www.expressen.se/noje/gervais-jag-gor-inte-tv-for-att-tjana-pengar/

"The Office" David is resurrected.
 Ricky Gervais the secret feature film plans - and the future of the hit series "Derek" for Expressen.
- I love Derek - but I have to move on, he says.


He has abandoned the irony in favor of goodness.
Now, the second season of "The Office" creator Ricky Gervais comedy drama "Derek" premiere on Netflix in Sweden. The series takes place in a retirement home. In the lead role, we see Ricky himself. He plays Derek who works at home and goes far beyond their job description to help the residents.
- The main difference is that I released the irony. By David Brent we laughed at the difference in how he saw himself, and how we see him. "Derek" is more heartfelt. Where we cheer on the characters. The enemy, and that we laugh at and hate the outside world, he says.

We laugh really for ourselves.
- Yes. I've always tried to make it so. In "The Office" is the characters' weaknesses, their own fault. In "Derek" is not the deficiencies. They are poor, not so smart, or dependent. It is not wrong, but rather disadvantages.
Fervency, why do it now? 
- The older you get, the more grief you will experience. Even parents die, and soon your siblings. Things become more serious. Man changing. What I laughed at ten years ago I have become. I have swung against the rich and famous. But now it's me rich and famous.
David Brent is resurrected

It has been speculated that a third season is on the way.
Ricky Gervais kills the rumours quickly.
- Probably not. I might do a special episode. I love Derek. But I must move on. I'm not doing television to make money.
For "The Office" fans, he confirms the character David Brent's resurrection.
Right now the comedian will be filming a tour as David Brent which will be a behind the scenes mockumentary, to explain "what happened next"

"Top Secret," "Brilliant"

- It gets very dark and sad, but also funny. David believes that it is an important documentary, but you can see just how sad it is for a 50-year-old salesman to spend all their money trying to become a pop star.
But he also has secret feature film dreams. In 2016 Ricky Gervais hopes to show the world "a kind of semi-political satire" about war. He compares it to "Wag the dog".
- I can not even talk about it, because I have not pitched the idea to anyone. I have no title and the script is not finished. I do not even know what it should be about. But it will be brilliant and smart. A very smart comedy about ... something. Just type: "Ricky Gervais writes a brilliant movie, which is really top secret. But it is really brilliant," he says, laughing.

Ricky GERVAIS' Series so far.....



Series: "Comedy Lab" (1998)
Character: Clive Meadows. The series "Golden years" was made only in one section, and showed in "Comedy Lab". There'm Ricky Gervais a character who runs a video rental business. He is also obsessed with David Bowie.

Series: "The Office" (2001)
Character: David Brent. The self-deceiving middle manager, as the series "The Office" revolves around. Brent works at a paper company. An important aspect is his unawareness of how the world looks at him. Often ask how old people think he is. 're Insulted even when someone guesses correctly.

Series: "Extras" (2005)
Character: Andy Millman. Left the job on the bank of betting on actor dream. Rude, and constantly angry at his agent. The only job he can get is as statistically. In each section plays a famous person a twisted version of himself.

Series: "Derek" (2013)

Character: Derek Noakes. I work at a nursing home. Like celebrities and reality shows. Love Youtube. Talking time about animals. For Derek, it is important to be kind than to be smart and stylish. That attitude has marginalized him in society. In one section he calls an ambulance to rescue a baby bird.

Ricky Gervais' full interview for 'Your Cat' magazine June 2014 issue

The Day I met Derek (and my hero) Kindness is Magic: A blogger's tale.

Disclaimer: This is a fan's account of a visit to the set of Derek Series 2 (Or Season 2 like you Americans like to say it) and is in no way meant to be professionally written. Also this doesn't contain any spoilers!

It was a cold mid November's day last year, and Ricky Gervais and co. were busy filming Derek Series 2 in the East-end of London and I was lucky enough to be invited on to the set amongst a few others and witness some of the magic!

When I first arrived on the set (at 10am they had already been filming for two hours!),

I was greeted by the lovely producer Mr. Charlie Hanson and we sat in front of a monitor amongst the many (very friendly) members of the crew who were sitting in complete silence as a scene was being filmed. Everyone was huddled up near a portable heater because of how cold the set was. The scenes from the monitor were all recorded on to a hard drive which was recording even after the cameras stopped rolling, apparently this was for continuity purposes and to help with editing later on.

A very nice man who was part of the crew gave me some headphones so I could listen in on the scene being filmed as we watched on the monitor; then I heard it, that trademark laughter, through the other side of the wooden walls of the set.

This immediately had a warming presence on most of us sat there and I enjoyed hearing that famous laugh that I had heard so many times before on TV in such close proximity. Every so often, a bell would ring to indicate the end of a scene and to re-set it and do it again.

We were then given a guided tour by Charlie and shown the props used and also the rooms where the residents slept as well as Dougie's and Hannah's offices. It was so fascinating to see how different everything looked off camera.

Then, I got to go into the main part of Broadhill, the sitting area, where the majority of scenes are filmed.

I have to admit, when Ricky walked up to us, shook our hands and said 'Hello', I was dumbstruck and I'm not ashamed to admit it, it was such a surreal experience. I had finally met my hero, the man who I had become more of a fan of (if that's even possible!) since watching him play the tender, innocent Derek Noakes in Series 1.

   We then went on to see how each department functions on a huge television comedy production like this. I met the lovely ladies who were in charge of everyone's wardrobe and they explained how they have to organise the clothes for each character and sort out the budget for clothes as well. They also explained how Derek's famous cardigan is a one off creation and was bought in a London market (for those who wanted to buy one).

Then I saw the office where the hard work goes on to make sure everything runs smoothly, people are sat in there organising when actors/actresses come in to film their scenes, when they get picked up etc. 

We were kindly invited to stay for lunch and when I saw the buses outside and the catering tent I was immediately reminded of Extras, and the scene where Maggie isn't allowed to sit and eat on the bus for actors. I then saw the people serving the food and hoped that they didn't serve me any with dog hairs in (Extras reference).

When I saw the food tent, I immediately knew what Karl was talking about when he said the catering and food was good. There was a huge variety of food from fruits to gorgeous deserts and I found myself in a conversation with 'Prem' played by Prem Modgil about the rice pudding (this was something that Prem and I could both relate to, being Asian, as rice pudding is eaten a lot in South Asia).

Whilst eating, we also met the lovely Colin Hoult who was filming his first ever scenes that day after coming on board as the new caretaker Geoff in Series 2. 

Those who follow Ricky's work will remember him from Life's Too Short when he played the psychic. He's such a down to earth friendly guy as were all the actors and actresses, and I found myself chatting to him about food too!

It was clear to see that Ricky takes great care of his cast and crew and doesn't spare any expense in the food for them. There is also a very well heated room with sofas in for the elderly actors to relax and keep warm in.

Another lovely young lady was Holli Dempsey who kindly offered to us to sit in her trailer as it was quite cold, luckily 'Kev' wasn't around as he would've surely taken her up on her offer.

Speaking of 'Kev' I met the very friendly, shy and soft spoken David Earl who is world's apart from his seedy on screen character. Such a lovely guy who didn't hesitate when I politely asked him for a photo, he even asked if I wanted him to put his 'Kev' glasses on.

     After lunch, we got to stand in just behind the cameras on a very funny scene being filmed, which I am proud to have witnessed being acted out first hand. It involved 'Kev' talking about things that he liked and a lot of corpsing by Ricky; which was understandable as it was bloody hilarious. I really don't know how they manage to film a whole series, the amount of fun those guys have on set. I don't want to give anything away so you'll have to watch out for that particular scene, it's comedy gold.

        Although there was a lot of corpsing and the actors were genuinely having fun; Ricky appeared to be a fantastic director and encouraged David Earl to ad-lib and was so nice to Holli Dempsey and Kerry Godliman when he wanted them to do a scene or a line slightly differently. There only appeared to be a general warmth on set and no sign of superiority or being a diva by Ricky (who is genuinely a lovely, down to earth guy). The set was so relaxed, with Ricky chatting to the cast and crew between takes, or drinking cups of tea.

  Whilst on set I also met the very talented, friendly photographer Ray Burmiston as he was taking pictures for series 2 promos. What can I say, every person I met was as nice or maybe nicer than the last person that I'd met.

      

     Ricky took pictures as Derek with each of us which Ray kindly took and finally, it was time to leave, and I was so sad to go, I would've happily sat there all day just to absorb the lovely cosy atmosphere and genuine love between all the cast and crew. It's such a cliche but they are like a family, especially because the majority of scenes in Derek are filmed in the sitting area and the elderly actors/actresses are sitting there doing their knitting or reading the papers or doing a jigsaw puzzle.

      It was fascinating to see all the hard work that goes on by the crew behind the scenes and a shame that these individuals aren't really recognised in awards ceremonies because without them holding the cameras and the lighting and sound equipment, or organising the character's wardrobe or making the cups of tea then the show would not go on.

A huge thanks to my hero Ricky Gervais for allowing us the privilege of being on his set and to Charlie Hanson and Katie Mavroleon for making it happen, and of course to Holli Dempsey, Colin Hoult, David Earl, Brett Goldstein and Kerry A Godliman and all of the wonderful cast and crew who made us feel so welcome and chatted to us.

After all, Kindness is Magic!

Lastly, I'd like to say that Ricky Gervais keeps saying that he wishes he was more like Derek Noakes; but he doesn't know that he is already so much like him. He is kind, considerate, soft spoken and so nice to his fans. I am proud to be a 'Gervaisaholic' and cannot wait for Derek to come back to our TV screens again.

Derek Series 2 starts in the UK on Channel 4 Wednesday April 23rd and on Netflix worldwide from one minute past midnight on May 30th!