Home Theatre
The Ricky Gervais Show: the Complete First Season
By Chris Zimmerman
January 11, 2011 - 13:26

$29.98 US
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Karl Pilkington
Directed by: Craig Kellman
Produced by: Michelle Papendrew, Ricky Gervais
Running Time: 317 minutes
Release Date: Jan 4, 2011
Distributors: Warner Home Video



1000169151DVDFLT.jpg
Ricky Gervais has carved out a sizeable chunk of fame since crossing over into America’s comedy circuit. The English comedian has gained a devoted following for his mixing of dry humor and over the top shenanigans, adapting well to America’s style of comedy. Best known for his time on the Office, Gervais has since sprung into numerous ventures, with stand-up tours, movies, and numerous shows. Come 2005, Gervais made history when he was honored the Guinness record for most downloads of his podcast. HBO recognized a cash-cow when they saw it and decided to commission an animated series based on the audio of the podcast.

The series basically features Gervais and two friends, Karl and Stephen sitting around making random musings about everything from “little metal pants” to Hurricane Katrina sweeping away dolphins with guns strapped to them. Stephen and Ricky spend substantial time tearing apart Karl’s ideas and stories with hilarious venom. Listening to the Gervais heckling poor Karl is the draw of the show due to the mixing of Karl’s deadpan delivery and Gervais’ increasing animosity toward him.

Gervais and friends are given life through crude animation that looks like it came out of a Hanna Barbara vault. The animation fulfills its purpose of accentuating the bizarre musings eschewing from the host’s mouths, embellishing them with wildly over the top images that could only be accomplished through the medium. In that regard, the show is a success, if only a mild one.
gervais_1.jpg

The problem this series faces is it was already available for download in audio format. Regardless of what the animation depicts, the audience’s imagination will always create a better picture to lend to the story. In many regards, this makes the series a bit pointless and more of a means to squeeze a buck out of the fans.

The extras are limited to a promotional video and an episode presented in storyboard format. None of these are particularly engaging, nor are they worth watching more than once. It would have been nice for more input from the actual show-runners but sadly there is none of that here.   
gervais_2.jpg

The Ricky Gervais show is a polarizing release, not because of its content but due to the fact that it’s been done already. Is the series funny? Of course; it’s Ricky Gervais. But is the DVD worth owning if you already have the podcasts? Probably not. The show doesn’t really offer anything new in terms of content and there aren’t any substantial bonus features to convince potential buyers otherwise. If you don’t already have the podcasts, then by all means pick up the DVD.

B+

Related Articles:
The Ricky Gervais Show: the Complete First Season