All about Ricky Gervais... obviously

Week two hundred and twenty-eight - August 2012

Twitter continues to be an anthropological playground for me. 

I really don’t understand why people get upset over morons talking bollocks. They can’t really affect you. They don’t really exist.

It’s text. If you don’t actually know that person it’s like getting upset by graffiti in a public toilet that you never have to use again.

Twitter is like a dream that you can control. Have fun. Then wake up and live a real life. If someone tries to upset you for no reason, ignore it. Or better still, BLOCK. It’s gone. They’re still an unhappy twat and you’re not. 

I don’t mean people actually breaking the law and threatening people’s lives of course. They should be dealt with. But attention seeking idiots… let them find it somewhere else. 

On a more positive note there are lots of nice sane people on twitter too, that can provide a few laughs and pearls of wisdom now and again. 

My job is to embrace all aspects though. The good, the bad and the ugly. 

The good you can learn from. The bad can provide me with hours of new stand up material. And the ugly… well that’s not really their fault. It’s also very subjective. 

Karl loves freaks as you know. This is the first time I ever committed the little shaven chimp to video… 

(Source: rickygervais.com)

Week two hundred and twenty-seven - July/August 2012 

My episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee was released this week. I really think internet-first shows are the future. TV habits have already changed drastically in the last 10 years and I think everyone will soon be demanding any show they want, any time they want. 

They are also global which is very exciting if you have any profile around the world. Or not. That’s what can build it, too. That was probably the most attractive thing to me about doing the Ricky Gervais podcasts in the first place. 

Talking of which, the first instalment of Learn English with Ricky Gervais will be available for free on iTunes worldwide from August 14th. 

Here’s a little teaser. 

The internet is pretty fucking amazing when you think about.
As you know, my return to Twitter was a bit of a social experiment. Partly to see if it was a useful marketing tool, (it most definitely is) and partly as research. Now, most people I think assumed it was research for a stand up show or a TV or Film project. Well, actually it was because I have been developing an app for the last year or so. It’s called JustSayin’ and I have partnered with some Californian internet boffins and we think we’ve come up with something quite exiting. 
We did a very soft launch a few months ago to collect data as we are still developing the software, but we plan the real launch this autumn. It’s so easy to use. You literally press “record” then post to Twitter/facebook and it’s ‘out there!’ 
It’s a business and recreation program but I think its real power will be in media. Just in the same way that Twitter morphed from a social networking site into its own slice of news media, JustSayin’ could be to radio what Twitter is to newsprint. Anyone can broadcast anything immediately. Anyway, it’s very early days. You can download it here for free, if you’re interested. 

I should just say though, that even though my Twitter career started out as what seems like a cynical business venture, I have really enjoyed it and I’m going to continue with it for the pure fun of it all. JustSayin’ (Sorry) 

(Source: rickygervais.com)

Week two hundred and twenty-seven - July/August 2012

Spent the week putting the final touches to the Derek scripts and scouting locations. 

Next week we start rehearsals and start principal photography two weeks after that.

You may have heard me talk about this on my Fame tour; actors have to have medicals for any significant filming jobs for insurance purposes. This is never extensive as they only really have to be sure you won’t die in the next six weeks. 

Karl called me, surprised that he had to have this done at all. 

I said, “it’s nothing and it takes about 15 minutes.” 

He called me yesterday and said, “Did he feel your bollocks?” 

I said, “no, why?” 

Karl said, “well he felt mine. He went ‘pop your pants down’, and he started ‘avin’ a feel. It was in front of a mirror too, so I could see myself and so it was degrading.” 

Hahaha. “Degrading.” 

I also finished editing the pilot episode of our new internet project. It will be called “Learn English with Ricky Gervais” and it’s turned out great. 

We hope to have it subtitled into as many languages as possible. 

I’m going to put out the first one free as a taster then work out the best way to distribute. Might charge a small fee or get it sponsored. Unlike the audio podcasts this actually costs quite a bit to make, but even if we charge it will still only be a couple of quid. 

I’m thinking of making a clean version of the pilot available for download so people can put their own subtitles on it and repost it. You can do a Klingon version if you want. Interactive…so… 

(Source: rickygervais.com)

Week two hundred and twenty-six - July 2012

It’s great to be back in London after that awful 85 degree heat and relaxed cafe culture of the upper east side of Manhattan. 

Although, I think this must be a strip joint… 

This beautiful English summer is what it’s all about. I’ve seen more snails than shadows in the garden this week. They fucking love a wet slidey patio. Wankers. 

On a positive note, I’ve been nominated for another Emmy for my part in The Golden Globes. Award shows eating themselves. 

Got nominated for this last year and lost. Second time lucky. (Not even a saying, and has absolutely no validity.) 

Deep in pre-production for Derek now and loving every minute of it. I actually get an adrenaline rush thinking about filming it. That’s a good sign. Or it could be stomachy AIDS cancer? Who knows? 

(Source: rickygervais.com)

Week two hundred and twenty-five - July 2012

A glorious week in New York has recharged my batteries and I’m now chomping at the bit to get started on Derek. (I’m an electric horse OK?) 

The weather better improve soon in England by the way. What the fuck has happened to global warming? Let down. 

Did a fantastic photo shoot with Karl and Warwick for the An Idiot Abroad Specials. Best one we’ve done I think. (You’ll be the judge of that.) 

We also filmed a three-way interview for the Sky website and at one point I couldn’t breathe at something the two twonks were bickering about. (I think they love each other really.) 

It’s going to air before Xmas with the DVD release just after hopefully. So if you haven’t got Sky you won’t have to wait too long to watch the incredible journey. 

Finally, The Ricky Gervais Show is drawing to a close. It’s the end of an era. But that’s why baby Jesus gave us DVDs to buy. That’s my belief anyway. Please respect it! 

Do you think this guy asked to move seats? 

Week two hundred and twenty-four - July 2012

So pre-production of Derek is well under way. Only a few more roles left to cast and nearly all the locations sorted out. (It’s amazing how many perfect locations are within walking distance of my house. Not that I walk. But I could if I wanted.) 

Announced 3 dates in Scandinavia… [coverage in The Guardian and The Telegraph] 

(I know it says it’s my first arena tour but it’s not obviously. My last two tours, ‘Fame’ and ‘Science’, were arena tours, but I quite like the way it makes me sound like an up and coming comedian. Haha.) 

And finally, here’s the first little teaser for my thing with Jerry Seinfeld. It doesn’t give a lot away…