I have seen each episode so far once and I even recognised the line 'See now that annoys me' (regarding CyberSlayer I think) last night from when Brent said it in the Office, quite a lot.
Not just a coincidence. Even the delivery and tone was the same in a similar kinda of context.
Lame.
Gervais appears to be incapable of varying personality in his characters. I notice he himself says 'Brilliant' a lot in that sort of sarcastic tone of his. This often creeps into his characters too.
How hard is it exactly to mix it up even just a little?
Gervais plays himself in every single movie or show he has done. I see no difference between them. Honestly.
I think he is really funny when he does some stand up,
But when it comes to reading lines and acting, he is really stiff and one-note.
He's a one-trick pony. That said, it's a pretty good trick, and it worked well in Office/Extras and to a certain extent in this show. And yes, Warwick Davis is just a smaller version of David Brent + Andy Millman.
But no matter how wonderfully refreshing cringe comedy was in its heyday, it's pretty much been done to death. There are some quite poignant moments in these Gervais/Merchant shows, and some real insights into the human condition. How much of that is Merchant or Gervais, I don't know, but Ricky could certainly deliver a heartfelt line or two when needed, and he said it like he meant it. That needs to be explored more deeply.
For now, Gervais needs another trick or two. The David Brent movie was woeful.
Yep, I noticed this too - Tried to ignore it at first but there is no denying it
shareI think that's my problem with the show, I don't mind awkward situations like in The Office and Extras, but it's annoying having a character with the exact same mannerisms and personality.
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I won't stop watching but I do agree totally that this is very lazy
You can tell they tried really hard to get Extras right, because it was the "difficult second album" now I guess they feel they can do whatever they want
Funny thing is though it got me back in to watching Extras
Agree with all the "similarities". Also, Warwick mimics the acting of Gervais quite a lot. Specially in the first episodes. When he meets for the first time with his ex-wife, is amazing how similar is the acting with Ricky.
I don't like it.
Did you like The Office? Did you like Extras? Then why are you complaining that this is too similar to those?
You can complain that the jokes don't land, but saying you don't like it because it's too similar to something you love is, well, dumb.
Yeah I just watched episode one and made the same observation. Did they basically just tell him to do a David Brent impression? Not that I mind or anything, but it's hard not to notice.
shareI've only seen the first episode, but to me Davis seemed much more similar to Gareth Keenan than David Brent. Gareth was always nastier, meaner and less likeable than Brent. And while the Brent character was no Adonis, he didn't have the freak-show factor Gareth & Davis share.
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Ricky Gervais said he originally wrote it for him (playing the part of a dwarf). Yes, THAT would be controversial ;-). So it makes sense that Warwick character shares some similarities.
David Brent, however, was confined to the walls of the Office and the rules / environment of the workplace.
Warwick Davis is just having life problems - divorce, career, personal life - and it's those natural things that place him in some funny situations.
I actually thought Davis was sort of a Combo of Brent and Gareth. Between Extas and The Office, I see what appears to be a lot of similar characters. I love both of the other shows but I will be pretty disappointed if this doesn't become it's own thing.
shareMaybe so but Derek will be a huge leap into creative brilliance.
--Or maybe not.
"the enemy is within"
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