DVD Review: Ricky Gervais - Politics

Ricky Gervais - Politics

The first time I ever saw Ricky Gervais on TV as himself, I was staggered by how much he is like David Brent. Despite my love of The Office, his annoying laughter, seeming insincerity and rather forced personality all amounted to an instant dislike. As a reviewer, preconceptions are a dangerous thing and I knew I had to try and get over my antipathy for the man.

The DVD begins with a short sketch where Gervais insults a wheelchair-bound Egyptian bloke in a variety of politically incorrect ways, culminating in his conclusion that he is 'not head mental, leg mental'...it wasn't looking good, he had me laughing already!

It isn't just politics that bear the brunt of Gervais' incisive wit: Stephen Hawking, the Holocaust, homosexuals, urban myths and John Lennon all fall under his watchful eye. A discussion on the inanity of nursery rhymes takes up a section of the show with some brilliant insights: I mean, why would you send all of the King's horses and men to try and put together an egg? He also seems fond of scatological humour, which is fine by me, with an hilarious discussion on sex, masturbation, auto-erotic asphyxiation and things being put up bottoms!

Between laughter, I got the feeling that Gervais was looking down his nose at the audience and his extension of the David Brent character left me wondering, who is the real Ricky Gervais? One of the extras on offer, Living With Ricky, shows his relationship with his long-suffering friend, and fellow comedian, Robin Ince. It perfectly illustrated the true nature of the man: manic. I can only wonder how Ince puts up with Gervais without killing him after watching his constant shrieking and attention-seeking.

One of the other extras is an interview with Karl Pilkington, a friend and radio colleague, that is the standout of the DVD. Gervais asks Pilkington his thoughts on the main themes of the stage-show (race, age, etc.), and hilarity ensues. His dry responses, whether genuine or not, are shockingly honest and very funny.

In conclusion, it's a mixed bag: often hilarious, often annoying (some of the swearing is totally unnecessary). Most fans of The Office will enjoy this but, whatever kind words I say, I still hate Gervais; he is, though, a very funny man.