HELLO LADIES, and Goodbye

Article first published as HELLO LADIES, and Goodbye on TheTVKing.

HBO's Hello Ladies aired "The Drive" this Sunday, marking the eighth and final episode of the season. Stuart (Stephen Merchant) drags his friends all over town chasing Kimberly (Heather Hahn, The Beauty Inside), a hot model he wants to get with, his pals' patience soon wearing thin. In the end, they all drift away and Stuart gets the girl. But is that what he really wants?

I wasn't immediately enamored with Hello Ladies when it premiered, despite its fantastic title sequence. Although it has some Merchant hallmarks, proving just how much the star and creator has contributed to his partnerships with Ricky Gervais, it doesn't strike me as very funny, and I have trouble connecting with anyone in the show. However, the more I watch, I realize it is the sad parts of the episodes that resonate, not the humorous parts, and by investing in the emotion, the series got better and better.

Stuart is not a likeable guy. He's selfish, shallow, conceited, and fake. But why? It's because he's long been a loser and has no confidence in himself. His bravado is a coping mechanism, an attitude he tosses up to try to be someone he's not, thinking it improves how others sees him. It doesn't work, but one can understand why he would try.

The longer Stuart holds onto this, the more distant his friends become. In "The Drive," Wade (Nate Torrence) wants to stop by his soon-to-be ex-wife's party. Stuart dismisses this idea, and actually lays into Wade, so Wade goes home instead. Why can't Stuart be a good chum? Why doesn't he support Wade the way that Wade supports him? It can't possibly be long before Wade stops taking Stuart's crap, as he does late in this episode, and decides he's better off without Stuart.

Stuart does right by Jessica (Christine Woods), though. Not only does he leave Kimberly naked and willing in the ocean and doesn't brag about it, but Stuart also refrains from telling Jessica what a douche her sort-of-boyfriend Glenn (Sean Wing) is, knowing it will only hurt her more. Jessica doesn't need further pain, already smarting over the loss of her big acting break. Stuart offers the comfort Jessica seeks and deserves, thus redeeming himself a bit at the last minute.

Jessica is similar to Stuart in many ways, including being self-involved, and yet, she's not a terrible person. We see throughout Hello Ladies that she runs her mouth and makes mistakes, but she is kind to those who matter, such as Wade. Maybe Jessica knows a mostly effective method to balance confidence and caring, and while she's not perfect, Stuart should take some notes.

There is barely a hint of anything romantic between Jessica and Stuart in the entire season. Even when Stuart comes to her aide, he doesn't treat her as anything but a buddy. They have a very brother-sister chemistry, and this is a refreshing and different thing for a television show to do. I really appreciate what the actors have brought to the parts and how they play their roles, both incredible performers.

I don't know if there will be a second season of Hello Ladies, and I'm not even sure there should be because Stuart would have to backslide, erasing the progress he finally makes in "The Drive." Yet, I did really end up liking this season, and I'm glad HBO aired it.

HELLO LADIES and Goodbye

Article first published as HELLO LADIES Review on Seat42F.

Most U.S. television viewers are used to seeing Stephen Merchant (The Ricky Gervais Show, An Idiot Abroad) only in the company of Ricky Gervais (The Office). That may change, however, as HBO is airing a non-Gervais series starring Merchant, his first lead role, called HELLO LADIES. It premieres this Sunday, September 29^th at 10:30 p.m. ET.

If anyone assumed that Gervais had the monopoly on awkward and weird and Merchant was just along for the ride, that is firmly disproven within just a few minutes of the “Pilot.” Merchant plays Stuart, a tall, lanky man who can’t take a hint and is creepy in his desperation around the fairer sex. If he gets a woman in his sights, he does not let go, no matter how clear she makes her disinterest, as happens in the very first episode. His persistence is not charming, it’s the opposite, and Stuart is the type of guy one would be embarrassed to be seen with in public or admit to being friends with. At least, while he’s acting like a stalker.

I’m not sure who the target audience is for HELLO LADIES. With a main character so unlikeable, would anyone root for him? He’s funny, yes, but that’s about all he has going for him. He isn’t generous, hounding his pals for water or gas money. He isn’t interesting. He’s too old to get away with seeking a series of one-night stands. He does have confidence, but he doesn’t have the looks or the charisma to back it up.

Which doesn’t necessarily destroy the show. Look at David Brent in the original British version of The Office; Merchant has made a career out of writing for these types of people, even if he doesn’t usually play them himself. As an actor, Merchant is definitely capable, highly believable as Stuart. The problem is that Stuart is just so distasteful a human being that it makes him hard to watch.

Stuart’s buddies aren’t much better. There’s Wade (Nate Torrence, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip), who is wallowing through a divorce and can’t shut up about his wife, which drives the girls away just as surely as Stuart’s ineptitude does. And there’s Kives (Kevin Weisman, Alias), Wade’s neighbor who is a big jerk and doesn’t get along with Stuart, but the wheelchair he’s confined to buys him enough sympathy that girls can overlook his attitude, only making Stuart more jealous. It’s an unlikely trio, with two of the three certainly not at all successful on the club scene.

Torrence and Weisman are both funny, too. Torrence is good at the wimpy loser shtick, and Weisman’s character’s ego belies what one might expect from such a role, the actor’s performance barely influenced by the chair, if at all. These men are usually supporting players, so don’t distract the spotlight away from Merchant, but work well him in the parts they play.

Strangely, Stuart lives with a normal, attractive, female roommate named Jessica (Christine Woods, Go On). There is nothing romantic between them, with Stuart treating her like someone he’s known a long time, never trying to hit on her. Of course, he’s not shy around her friends, trying to pick them up when they make the mistake of coming over. For Jessica’s part, she gets fed up with Stuart’s lecherousness, though she somehow still likes him, but not in an overly sweet way. They just seem to enjoy one another’s company.

In most shows, this is the recipe for an eventual hook up between the leads, or at least a one-sided pining, or maybe even a brother / sister vibe, with Stuart looking out for Jessica. Instead, Jessica could be a man and it would not change their dynamic one iota. It’s a very strange pairing, and I’m not sure how I feel about it, to be honest, whether to call it fresh or just admit it doesn’t work.

Woods has a brilliant sense of timing, but sadly it appears that she will be the “straight man” in HELLO LADIES. I believe she could play pathetic, too, if they let her, or could handle her own subplots and gags. What she does in the “Pilot” is sleep with a guy and then cold feet about being with him, not exactly work that requires much creativity from the portrayer. She is every bit as talented as the men in the cast, and it’s disappointing that she seems to have a lesser role, even if she might have more screen time than one or two of the others.

HELLO LADIES is not a bad show, but it lacks the magnetic draw I had been expecting. Given the cast involved, it could and should be a notch better than this.

DRUNK HISTORY Now Weekly

Article first published as DRUNK HISTORY Now Weekly on TheTVKing.

Drunk History began on funnyordie.com, was featured on HBO's Funny Or Die Presents, and now has its own weekly half hour on Comedy Central. The premise is simple enough - Derek Waters (Hall Pass) gets a person who knows a bit about American history drunk and has them tell a tale. Actors perform the inebriated bits, with the drunk voice dubbed over them.

Drunk History works for a couple of reasons. One, the people participating know what they are talking about, so while they tell things in an amusing way, there is some truth involved, too. Two, the segments are kept short, with Watergate, Lincoln's assassination, and Elvis meeting Nixon all in the first half hour. Third, the costumes and sets are pretty good. Not realistic-makeup good, but not made-in-someone's-basement cheesy, either, making the look work well. And it's edited, so we get some tangents, but the plots remain cohesive enough to follow.

There are lots of recognizable faces participating in Drunk History. In this first episode, Jack Black (Scott of Rock) is Elvis, Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad) is Nixon and 30 Rock's Jack McBrayer is Nixon's aide, Stephen Merchant (Extras) is Lincoln, Fred Willard (Modern Family) is Deep Throat, Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation) and Will Forte (Saturday Night Live) are the Booth brothers, Jonathan Ames (Bored to Death) plays father Booth, and Nathan Fielder (Nathan For You) portrays Woodward. I think having all of these people involved lends the proceedings credibility.

It's also really funny. The narratives are delivered in a whimsical, light-hearted way. It's enjoyable (for a limited amount of time, such as a half hour) to watch people who are wasted, and by taking the words they say and acting them out with pizazz, it's a lot like hanging out with your friends, only more visual.

I could do without the puking on the floor, though I guess that's a necessary risk, as Slightly Tipsy History wouldn't be nearly as good. But the cookie breaks and the dialogue delivery are wonderful. This is an idea that has proven popular in other venues, so it's nice to see it get its due now.

Drunk History airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on Comedy Central.

LIFE'S TOO SHORT Too Short

Article first published as LIFE'S TOO SHORT Too Short on TheTVKing.

At the end of season one of HBO's Life's Too Short, Warwick Davis (himself) is in a bad place, near bankrupt and divorced, having run away the girl he's into, and his professional career is sputtering. So it's nice to see an immediate bounce back from everyone's favorite dwarf in the finale special, which aired this week, with Warwick's business doing OK, the actor having reconnected with Amy (Kiruna Stamell), and a big opportunity being presented.

It karma is to be believed, Warwick is earning his success. He is finally being nice to others and putting his clients' interests first, and in turn, he is finding good things. It's a lot easier to root for this version of Warwick than the one we saw for the first seven episodes, and so there's a positivity here that is lacking previously. It's uplifting.

But this is a comedy, which milks suffering and sorrow for laughter. As such, it isn't long before Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (themselves) are warning Warwick that his dream of Willow 2 is a lie, and he is being taken advantage of by Val Kilmer (himself). Warwick works really hard, but he just fails, and that's the way it is.

There is something both depressing and poignant when Warwick decides to dissolve his agency and meets with his clients to deliver the news. Life is hard, something most people have to face. While a famous actor is usually considered immune from such struggles, Life's Too Short shows us that is not always how it is in a very relatable story. Warwick must face the truth, and through him, we do, too.

Does this mean that Life's Too Short concludes in a bad place? Sort of. The series is over now and we will never see Warwick make it back to the top. Yet, that is sort of the message conveyed here, that he will likely never be back on top. However, that doesn't mean he should quit trying, because life is all about the journey, not the ending. It's this insight that makes this special so much better than the original batch of episodes.

Besides series creators Merchant and Gervais and star Warwick, the rest of the cast from the show returns. Cheryl (Rosamund Harris) continues to play the clueless assistant, Steve Brody is the clueless accountant, and Bryan  Medici (Colin Hoult) is the clueless psychic adviser. Sue (Josephine Enright), Warwick's ex-wife also appears, but instead of being the same, as the others are, we see the side of her that worked in a marriage with Warwick, and what their relationship must have been like in the good times. They may never reconcile romantically, but they can continue on as friends.

There is also a really good subplot involving Les Dennis, Shaun Williamson, and Keith Chegwin (themselves). These are three men whose show biz careers are completely dead, until Warwick has an idea to resurrect them. The traveling act they put on is brilliant and hilarious. Yet, when they taste fame again, they are willing to cast Warwick aside to better help themselves. It's another lesson for Warwick, presented in such a way that it's hard to be mad at the men for making this decision.

Life's Too Short is more than just a funny show. It's a complex portrait of a man and an industry, of human nature and of complicated relationships. Everyone seeks their place and those who can help them achieve their dreams. Sometimes, you can do right by others, and sometimes you can't if you want to break the cycle of failure. There isn't right or wrong or good or bad in these situations. There is just life. And you can control your attitude towards it.

I wish the show wouldn't end so soon.

DVD Review: An Idiot Abroad 2

Karl Pilkington is back for a second trip 'round the world in An Idiot Abroad 2. As in the first season, Karl hates just about every minute of his journey; he doesn't enjoy traveling or experiencing cultures that stretch him outside of his comfort zone. And also, like in the first bout, the results are hilarious for the television viewer who delights in watching the poor man suffer.

Series one has Karl visiting the Seven Wonders of the World. In series two, Karl demands that he get to pick the adventures, choosing from among some of the most popular Bucket List items, based on broad surveys. One might think that since Karl has greater control now, he will enjoy it more.

Not so. While Karl does set the basic agenda, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, comfortably ensconced back in the U.K., plan many a detour and activity that go against Karl's wishes. Sometimes, Karl refuses to do whatever it is they want him to do, like jumping from a tower. But most of the time, no matter how much he might protest, Karl fulfills the requirements of his contract.

Excursions accomplished in these eight hours include a night spent on a deserted island, a ride on the Trans-Siberian Express, swimming with sharks, a reduced-gravity flight, wrestling with Mongolians, visiting a village of dwarfs in China, a makeover by Taiwanese ladyboys, getting a massage from an inmate, dog sledding, whale watching, deep sea fishing, a visit with a family who keep a hippo as a pet, a New Age cuddle party, a Smart Car ride down Route 66, a flight on top of a plane, a climb up Mount Fuji, and sumo wrestler training. Karl then returns home in the final episode to talk about his experience, and get a prostate exam on-air.

If that sounds like a lot, it is. Each installment is crammed with several experiences, Karl bounces from one place to the next, making side trips on Gervais and Merchant's whims, keeping the pace charging ahead. He gripes and complains, but does what he's told, for the most part.

Why is watching a man be miserable so entertaining? I don't know, exactly. It has to have something to do with personality of Pilkington himself, an odd man who views the world from a totally unique perspective. The enjoyment doesn't come so much from watching him grumble, but from the words that come out of his mouth. He doesn't see things the same way most people do, and the insights he provides, as well at crazy theories he espouses, make for some great programming.

It's interesting that An Idiot Abroad 2 goes to destinations that would be a dream vacation for a great many people, but for Karl, it's a nightmare. Admittedly, Karl doesn't get the perfect experience, seeing his accommodations downgraded, and forced to mix with the locals, rather than stay on the travelers' path.

What that means, though, is this is also a wonderful travel documentary, going further off the beaten path than most people would on their holiday. Maybe some viewers will want to try some of the things that Pilkington does, or maybe it will serve as a lesson as to what should be avoided. Either way, there is valuable knowledge mixed in what is basically a show done for fun.

The DVD is two discs, and has a few special features. These include deleted scenes, Pilko's Pump Pants Featurette, and Ain't No Pleasing You. These are pretty standard fare, nothing really surprising, but a decent enough mix for a short series.

What I would like to see, that is not included, is audio commentary by Pilkington on all of the episodes. While he does do the final overview episode, and speaks to the camera throughout, I feel like a whole other, meta experience could be had sitting through these episodes with Karl again.

In all, this is a good DVD set that should provide at least eight hours of enjoyable entertainment. An Idiot Abroad 2 is on sale now.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published as DVD Review: An Idiot Abroad 2 on Blogcritics.

The Ricky Gervais show ends "The Year" and the series

HBO's The Ricky Gervais Show brought its run to a close last night with "The Year." This season three finale will also serve as the series finale, as Gervais stops all current projects to concentrate on new ones. Among the topics of the final installment? Insects getting smarter, a trimmed mattress, cutting avocados, and the negatives of dating twins.

Dating twins, you say? Yes, Karl (Karl Pilkington) thinks it would be terrible to date twins, no matter how attractive they might be. He is of the opinion that if a bloke is lucky enough to get two of something, he is going to want two different versions, not two of the same. He compares them to cars.

Yes, that is absolutely ludicrous, and not something any normal person would ever think about. But then, Karl is far from a normal person, as fans of the podcast and animated series have come to learn. Karl is the type of guy who won't eat avocados not because he doesn't like them, but because they are too difficult to cut up. He just doesn't look at the world the same way as the rest of us.

This may be most evident in "The Year" when Karl speaks of insects. He noticed a grub eat a crumb of his biscuit, and has decided that modern bugs have gotten a taste for modern food. Somehow, he doesn't even consider that these are simple creatures acting on instinct. He assumes they must think like us, and enjoy a certain taste. Ricky (Ricky Gervais) and Stephen (Stephen Merchant) are completely flabbergasted at this, knowing just how obviously wrong Karl is, but also realizing they will never convince him of that.

That is the beauty of Karl Pilkington. He is one of the few truly unique individuals out there, and he has thoughts most of us will never have. That is why it has been such a pleasure to watch him these past few years.

There is little wonder where Karl gets it from after hearing that his father trimmed down a mattress to fit between two cabinets. He actually took a saw and cut several inches of the bed off, repairing it with staples and tape. Who would do such a thing? Ruin a perfectly good sleeping surface? Well, the Pilkingtons, apparently.

At the end of "The Year," the guys talk about having these same type of discussions as old geezers in a retirement home. They probably will. Sadly, The Ricky Gervais Show has been brought to an end though, neglecting to finish animating the other recorded podcasts, let alone any future conversations. There's something to be said about going out on top, while a series is still relevant. But sometimes it must be wondered if Gervais doesn't pull the plugs on projects before they should be, as one could easily imagine several more entertaining years of this program.

Alas, as this will not be the case, all we can do is thank the gentlemen for their time and insights. And buy the DVDs so the existing episodes, thirty-nine in number, can be enjoyed over and over again.

Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com. If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Article first published as Ricky Gervais show ends "The Year" and the series on TheTVKing.com

The Ricky Gervais Show shows something new

HBO's The Ricky Gervais Show presents "Armed Forces" this week. Karl Pilkington talks of wanting to be a soldier when he was little. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant certainly don't see Karl as the right type of guy to handle such a life. Karl defends his position by talking of his older brother, Karl's perfectly made bed, and how he bravely saved a pie once from robbers, who weren't really interested in his pie anyway.

The Ricky Gervais Show is often very, very funny. As many have said before, Karl has a mind that works like no other. To take his tales, musings, and ideas and animate them really brings to life what he's talking about. Not to mention, cartoons are a great medium for the outlandish places his stories go. In this, "Armed Forces" is just like any other episode of the series.

However, HBO's series takes its audio from a podcast of the same name, and so many viewers will have already heard all of the dialogue before watching, albeit on a radio or iPod, without illustration. Even if one has heard the particular podcast being used each week, it does not lessen the enjoyment of The Ricky Gervais Show. But in this, "Armed Forces" is unique, because it comes from a special podcast done solely for service members, and never before released to the public at large.

Because of why "Armed Forces" was recorded in the first place, the topic is kind of already set. Of course Karl is going to speak somehow about soldiers, and his experience with them. This is a group of people who deserve respect, and the central trio are not going to go into territory where they make fun of the men and women serving. Which is probably why "Armed Forces" doesn't get as zany or outrageous as many other episodes of The Ricky Gervais Show. It's still a good episode, but not one of the greats.

At the end of the day, though, the chance to hear some fresh material, when many fans of The Ricky Gervais Show are most often experiencing the spoken words for a second time, makes this week special and worth watching. Also, the spirit of charity behind recording this episode in the first place enhances the respect for it.

Did Ricky Gervais make a mistake by taking this exclusive story and spreading it out for everyone now? No, not really. It was exclusive for a long time, and at this point, the troops probably won't mind sharing the comedy. He did something special for them, yes, but enough time has passed that the public at large can hear it without taking away from the special-ness of it being a present to the troops.

Next week, The Ricky Gervais Show will probably be back to normal. Which means some very, very funny entertainment. Tune in Fridays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Please click here to buy The Ricky Gervais Show and other Gervais projects on DVD and streaming video.

Life's Too Short another hit for Gervais and Merchant

This week, Life's Too Short premiered on HBO. The series is a fictional mockumentary, following the life of Britain's "go-to dwarf," Warwick Davis (played by the real Warwick Davis). While fans of Davis may know him from his turn in the Harry Potter and Star Wars franchises, and less so for a starring role in Willow, this Warwick is short on cash and going through a messy divorce. So he bugs his old friends Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant to find him work, which is not something that they are eager to do. 

Life's Too Short blurs the line between reality and fiction. What is happening on screen is scripted, not real. It would be quite surprising if Davis is really hard up for dough, given the long list of screen credits he carries, including many recent projects. Instead, in the style of Gervais and Merchant's previous series, The Office and Extras, a doddering idiot runs around with a lot of moxie, but little skill to get what he wants. Because the guy at the center of this show is playing a character who shares his name and much of his back story, one can be forgiven for thinking, at first, that this is non-fiction. However, Warwick Davis is just another character in the vein of David Brent.

Which is not a complaint at all! Davis really sells the part, making Life's Too Short very enjoyable. Also, Merchant and Gervais have perfected this shtick over time, and what is presented in this latest incarnation is actually very smooth and funny. From climbing through the doggy door of his house, to bending reality when speaking of his divorce, the character of Davis is someone who is very entertaining, even if he is not well liked.

Those who complain that Life's Too Short is offensive haven't been watching very well. The involvement of Davis in the project, as well as a number of other very short actors, gets around the picking on dwarves criticism, since they are complicit in the project. People are surely allowed to make fun of themselves, no? Plus, there is never an issue of size in anything that matters. His wife isn't leaving him because of his stature. His height has nothing to do with why Merchant and Geravis are annoyed with him. Instead, it's Warwick's blustery attitude that the show rides on.

Like Extras, Life's Too Short looks to recruit many A-list guest stars. In the first episode, Davis sits in on a meeting between Liam Neeson and Gervais and Merchant. Neeson insists he would like to get into comedy, and aided by Gervais, Neeson practices some improv. Nesson keeps throwing AIDS and other dark material into the sketch, which is actually quite hilarious, mostly because of the awkward air in the room. While the character of Neeson may not be able to garner any laughs, the actor certainly knows just the right delivery to hit on.

Life's Too Short is a fantastic show that should not be missed. Tune in to HBO Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

An Idiot Abroad can be brought home tomorrow

     Coming to DVD this Tuesday, January 10th from the BBC is An Idiot Abroad. Though the DVD cover doesn't list this as The First Season, that's what it is. An Idiot Abroad contains all eight episodes of the initial run, wherein Karl Pilkington (The Ricky Gervais Show) visits the Seven Wonders of the World, and in the eighth hour, returns home to debrief. The instigators of the journey are Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (The Office, Extras), who delight in just how miserable it makes Karl to experience other cultures. A second season will premiere later this month in the U.S.

     For those already familiar with the podcast or animated version of The Ricky Gervais Show, Karl Pilkington is a familiar face. He is an odd duck, and anyone who has listened to him will not be surprised that Karl is reluctant to take his free trip around the world. He'd rather read about the Wonders on the internet, and would likely believe everything that he reads. Thus, every episode is a fish out of water tale, as Karl tries, though not very hard, to cope with the new cultures around him.

     Karl's brain does not work like anyone else's. The biggest reason he doesn't want to visit China? He might eat toad there and like it, thus having something to miss when he goes home. It's an alien concept to most people, many of whom would find this a weak reason not to travel. To Karl, who fears upsetting his carefully balanced existence, it makes perfect sense. And actually, Karl adapts quite well, though never seems comfortable, gamely going along with most of what is planned for him, albeit with some complaint.

     He is not easily impressed either, so the trip may not end up being worth it to him. Karl likes weird things, but when the weird thing seems normal to others around him, he doesn't find it that weird. Plus, Karl is more into freaks of nature than anything having to do with human beings' creations, so seeing the Wonders is not on his list of goals for his life.

     The Wonders of the World, though setting the destinations for each of Karl's visits, are not the main point of An Idiot Abroad. Karl does see them, even being forced to travel the entire Great Wall of China, in order to get the full experience. But the real draw is the people around the Wonder, and that's what Karl spends most of every episode dealing with. He has to take in new customs, and taste new foods. Generally, this does not go all that well, much to the enjoyment of viewers.

     It is a little bit odd that Karl goes the journey alone, with Ricky and Stephen only checking in via phone. However, that also makes Karl less likely to deal with the situation well, not even having his friends to turn to. The other two are a presence on the series, but the focus is Karl's interactions with locals, with makes for a very entertaining time.

     The special features on An Idiot Abroad are almost nonexistent. The Preview Show that aired on television is included, as are deleted scenes and a photo gallery. And that's it. Considering the final episode of the season mainly consists of Stephen and Ricky speaking to Karl about the whole experiment, a making of documentary would seem unnecessary. And it's hard to think of any specific bonus that should have been included. But it's still a little disappointing there isn't a little bit extra for the fans who really enjoy the TV series.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to read all of my An Idiot Abroad reviews.

Article first published as DVD Review: An Idiot Abroad on Blogcritics.

The Office Special Edition DVD

     The Office has a new Special Edition DVD out now, in time for the holidays! No, it's not the American sitcom starring Steve Carell, but rather, the original UK version, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. Created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant — who still collaborate today — it's dry British humor, but every bit as funny as the American counterpart. Considering this is an article written in America, and will mostly be read by Americans, parallels between the two series will be drawn throughout.

     Ricky Gervais (The Ricky Gervais Show, Extras) plays David Brent, a completely horrible boss for a small branch of a large paper company. More concerned with being liked than getting the job done, and hopelessly inept at both, Brent bumbles along for twelve episodes and a two-part Christmas special, getting fired along the way — a highly realistic development. Gervais is excellent in the role, which put him on the map. David Brent, who has cameoed twice in the American remake, is way worse than Michael Scott ever considers being. He is eager, but not generally a good person. He gets what he deserves in the end.

     Of course, Gervais does not carry the series alone. His assistant to the regional manager is Gareth (Mackenzie Crook, Pirates of the Caribbean), much more well rounded than Dwight, Gareth makes a much better boss when the time comes. Tim (Martin Freeman, Sherlock, Love Actually) and Dawn (Lucy Davis, Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip) are the Jim and Pam, 'will-they, won't-they?' couple. Spoiler: they will... eventually.

     There are also other employees, most notably Keith (Ewen MacIntosh), who is a sort of Kevin. But aside from the main foursome, the others are not as fleshed out as the supporting players that Americans are used to. This is all right, however, because of the short run of the original The Office. With only two six-episode series and the Christmas special, there is no time to give anyone else any depth. Which doesn't detract from the enjoyment at all.

     Now, many already know the story of The Office, as these episodes have been released before. The great thing about this tenth anniversary special edition, available only on DVD, not Blu-ray, is the many, many extras included. The bonus features from earlier editions are present, plus much more. Deleted scenes, video diaries, outtakes, director's commentary, and a music video are just some of the repackaged content, already released.

     The best of the new items is a twenty minute rough pilot made three years before the series. It proves that Gervais put a lot of thought into David Brent, and perfected the part long before he played him on a weekly basis, though the other characters are played by different actors. This pilot was filmed in 1998, not to be mistaken with the 2000 version, of which only clips are included, not the entire thing. The 2001 version is the one packaged as part of the series.

     Two forty-minute extras are also a highlight. The first includes five web videos, providing interviews with many of the people involved, including Gervais and Merchant. The second is "Comedy Connections," a single special that delves into the making of the series, with a focus on the original batch of six episodes, and pack with clips.

     The one complaint buyers may justifiably have is the introductions to each of the first series episodes. They run around five minutes a piece, and there is no way to begin the episodes without them. They are informative, but also spoilery, for those who haven't seen The Office yet. They contain great guest cameos by Ben Stiller, Hugh Jackman, Matthew Perry, and others not involved in the series. For most, a simple hit of the 'skip chapter' button on the remote will fix this, but it is a shame that one must do so, rather than selecting a 'Play Without Intro' from the menu, as many similar series have done. Even worse, there are interviews within the ending credits, too, ruining the flow into the tag.

     In short, because of the preceding paragraph, The Office: Special Edition - 10th Anniversary Edition is for the fans. Those who haven't seen The Office yet should seek an earlier version to enjoy the episodes as they are meant to be seen. Also, collector's should not throw away their old sets, lest they try introducing new fans to the show. However, for people already in love with The Office, this is an excellent set, and a worthy edition to your Office collection.

     Buy The Office Special Edition on DVD today.

   If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published as DVD Review: The Office - Special Edition, 10th Anniversary Edition on Blogcritics.

The Ricky Gervais Show finishes second season with "Munchies"

     HBO's The Ricky Gervais Show finished its second season this past Friday night with "Munchies". Season two lived up to the high comedy expectations set by season one, and one can only hope the series will continue for some time to come. In the finale, Karl is asked if he would live a perfectly happy life in a virtual world. He agrees, but imagines a life pretty much the same as his is now. The only two things he is really concerned about is how much time his girlfriend, Suzanne, will have off work, and if Munchies will still taste as good. He must have the Munchies, but he's not sure he'd like Suzanne to have too much free time at home with him.

     Which is how Karl Pilkington's brain works. That's what the whole show is about, and any reviews written about it will cover the same. He doesn't think like a normal person, and approaches existence from an entirely different perspective. That's why the show works so well. Karl isn't a character that must be consistently written funny. He is a unique individual who provides intense fascination for Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, as well as viewers at home.

     After discussing the virtual world, Karl goes off on problems. He tells the guys his theory of a 'problem hole'. He says everyone has a problem hole, and they are all the same size, but the problems going into them are not. Ricky keeps wanting to interrupt, but in a rare display of take charge-ness, Stephen repeatedly orders Ricky to shut up so that they can explore the hole theory. It's great, because Stephen is just so curious about what nonsense Karl has made up, which admittedly is a full explanation, not just a tiny tidbit idea, like Karl usually spouts. In the animated version, Stephen is even shown to draw a diagram to illustrate Karl's words.

Advertisement

 

     Finally, at the end of the episode, for the first time in the series, Ricky makes Karl laugh. Karl rarely seems to be offended by the guys, who often pick on him. But he is genuinely amused by something someone else says. This is such an unusual occurence, there is nothing to do but end the show when it happens. It's hard to say how a real life Karl would look laughing, but for the cartoon representation, it is odd.

     Next week, Ricky will do a special sitting down with other comedians, so a Ricky Gervais drought will be brief. Hopefully, so will Karl's absence from screen.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

Karl, An Idiot Abroad, Finally Comes Home

     Eight weeks after it started, the Science Channel's An Idiot Abroad has come to an end. Karl Pilkington has come home, and in the final episode, he sits down with his chums and the show's producers, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, to discuss his travels and what, if anything, he learned.

     I think I like this episode at least as much, if not better than, the seven where Karl is shown traveling the world. I am a big fan of The Ricky Gervais Show on HBO, based on their podcasts, and I enjoy the three men sitting in a room and having a chat. In the final episode, we see some new footage of Karl, not too many clips already seen before, and mainly lots of talk between the guys. It may sound boring on paper, but it is actually where the three of them are strongest.

     I think my favorite bit of new footage from when Karl was abroad is when Ricky breaks it to Karl that the show will be titled An Idiot Abroad. The announcement comes as Karl is approaching the Seventh Wonder, tired and cranky from his journeys. Up until now Karl has labored under the impression that the series would be called Karl Pilkington's Seven Wonders. I have a sneaking suspicion this was never the intention, but used simply to help sell Karl on the idea. He does not react well, as you might expect, but obviously he was later overruled. A good business choice, if nothing else.

     We also saw Karl briefly visit his old vacation spot in Wales during the finale. He comments that perhaps he is ruined, now looking for a native tribe, rather than just a pool, when he takes a holiday. I find this statement a bit odd, considering just how miserable Karl appeared for most of his visits. Perhaps, it retrospect, he realizes just what a valuable experience he has had.

     Can we look forward to a second season? If Ricky gets his way, then yes. The theme of the first season is Karl visiting the Seven Wonders of the World. But he usually spends a small portion of the episode at the Wonder, and the rest of the hour he is getting culturally immersed. This can be done anywhere. I don't even think a theme is needed. Just pick seven more countries and send Karl. He says during his final trip that he will refuse a second season, but his comments in Wales leave open a possibility of one.

     Karl is a generally good sport. Ricky and Steve mention that they have been accused of bullying him, but Karl just shrugs it off. Sure, he gets frustrated after the horrid conditions he is repeatedly put in, but he does the entire show. I can see him doing more, if the trips are more spaced out. Also, it might help if he goes into things knowing the score, whereas in this first season, it seems like a lot of what Karl experiences was sprung on him as a surprise.

     Whether the show continues or not, they have delivered eight very entertaining hours. If you missed it, look for the reruns on the Science Channel. Well worth a watch.

Article first published as TV Review: An Idiot Abroad - "Karl Comes Home" on Blogcritics.

For an alphabetical list of all of Jerome Wetzel's Current Season Reviews, please click here.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

The Ricky Gervais Show goes to a "Night Club"

     Every episode of HBO's The Ricky Gervais Show is hilarious. I have yet to see a half hour where I didn't laugh out loud at least a few times. However, this week's outing struck me as particularly good for a number of elements. Time to discuss.

     First, Karl Pilkington somehow dances around a delicate subject without really being insulting. Stephen Merchant mentions that Karl should meet Warwick Davis, and Karl goes on a little tangent about short people. But while I kept expecting him to say something completely awkward, which he almost does when admitting how odd he would feel around 'Warren' at first, Karl is simply admitting what would be anyone's first impression. His naivete is what allows Karl to get away with it, while most people can't. That, and Karl follows up his remarks by justifying why he would much rather be really short than really tall.

     Karl also makes me feel sorry for slugs. Who but him would complain about the natural favoritism humans give to furry animals over others? While Karl does not sway me into changing my personal feelings on the slimy creatures, he does raise an interesting truism that, while obvious, is rarely mentioned. My best guess is that because mankind used to be more furry, we still have quite a bit of hair, we identify with small, furry creates as we would our own young. Karl doesn't offer this explanation, but complains about the treatment of slugs. Although, he also thinks slugs are insects, so I can't give him too much credit.

     Also worth noting is Karl's poem, where he begins by mentioning a Chinese guy, then later corrects himself that the man is Japanese. Ricky calls him on it, pointing out that most people would just go back and fix the mistake. Not Karl. That's not how he works. He probably didn't even consider doing such a thing. Which is his charm.

     My favorite part, though, is that Stephen actually tells a story about something that has happened to him. Generally, Stephen is the quiet one of the group, commenting, but not offering his own experiences. He is an excellent moderator, but rarely strays into full-blown character. That changes, as Stephen tells of his embarrassing experience outside of a night club. A bouncer recognizes him, but will not let him in.

     Which made me realize something. While the main draw of this series is Karl's, um, unique perspective on things, Stephen is the glue that holds it all together. Ricky is often aggressively on the offensive, probing Karl to discover what makes him tick, and calling him on anything he believes less than honest. Stephen sometimes does that, too, but mostly he reserves judgment. He is comparatively quiet with his opinions, though he does talk plenty, and seems like a genuinely nice guy. I have always respect Merchant, but I think that last night, I became a fan.

     Watch The Ricky Gervais Show Friday nights at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.

Article first published as TV Review: The Ricky Gervais Show - "Night Club" on Blogcritics.

Click here foran alphabetical list of all of Jerome's Current Season Reviews.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

An Idiot Abroad: Karl Pilkington and the All Right Wall of China

     Is half an hour a week of Karl Pilkington not enough for you? I love him on HBO's The Ricky Gervais Show, but I am always left wanting more. Luckily, the Science Channel is giving us just that beginning last night, and every Saturday for the next eight weeks. The premise? Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant send Karl around the world to visit the Seven Wonders and the culture that surrounds them.

     Karl, of course, is reluctant to go. He likes to stay safely in his comfort zone, and just read about exotic places on the internet. His first stop is China to see The Great Wall. His biggest reason he wouldn't want to make the trip? He might eat toad and like it, then miss it when he returns home. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Karl's brain does not work like everyone else's on the planet. Who else would possibly have thought of that?

     I did find it a bit odd, at first, to not have Ricky and Stephen along for the ride. I'm so used to them picking at Karl continuously, and now here is a look at him by himself. Ricky and Stephen did check in by phone frequently, so they're still a presence on the show. Even better, though, was Karl's mingling with the locals. Although there was a serious language barrier, Karl seems more at home that I would be in his situation. For someone who is perpetually out of place, he was remarkably well adjusted to the situation. Well, except when getting a fire massage or eating local cuisine. But with the people, he was fine. He can really roll with the punches. Which he did, while learning Kung Fu.

     I think one thing that impresses me about Karl is that he is not easy to impress. He takes everything in stride, so getting a strong reaction out of him is rare. His visit to The Great Wall was rather dissatisfying to him, and I actually understood some of his points of view, though not all. Hilariously, Stephen called to insist Karl see ALL of The Great Wall, so the episode is not hard up for shots of it. Karl spends days traveling its length. You think he might be impressed then, after really experiencing its size, but no such luck.

     I was thoroughly entertained the entire hour of the China episode, and look forward to the rest of the series. Karl is scheduled to head to China, India, Jordan, Mexico, Egypt, Brazil, and Peru, before spending the eighth full episode back home, discussing the experience. Sounds exciting!

     Be sure to watch An Idiot Abroad Saturdays at 10 p.m. on the Science Channel.

Article first published as TV Preview: An Idiot Abroad: Karl Pilkington and The All Right Wall of China on Blogcritics.


For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

The Ricky Gervais Show - "Clive Warren"

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

     This past Friday, season two of The Ricky Gervais Show premiered on HBO. Like each episode of season one, it was the wandering musings of three mean recorded for a podcast, and then animated. However, this episode had a more centralized conversation than most. The topic? A movie Karl Pilkington thought up.

     If you've never seen the show (or heard the podcast), you may not know who Karl Pilkington is. If this is the case, it is a very sad state you're in, that should be corrected immediately. Karl Pilkington is a man who does not think like you or I or most people. A truly unique individual, he seems to reside in a world all of his own.

     This week, Karl recounted how studio execs asked him for a movie idea. He said he came up with one off the top of his head, as your brain works best if you just start talking and see what comes out. His 'brilliant' pitch would star Clive Warren. Never heard of him? That's because he doesn't exist. Karl meant Clive Owen. The plot involved Clive dying, and then having half of his brain put into his wife's head, because 'that's what doctors are doin' nowadays'.

     Insane? Possibly. Genius? Equally likely. Not the movie idea, of course, but the comedy of it all. I doubt more than a handful of writers in the world could write this funny. Karl read something on the internet about brain transplants, which, of course, he assumed was fact, and ran with it. Also, the first thing he decided on for the movie was not the story, but the actors who would star. Of course, duh! That's how you sell movies any more, right?

     Karl's thoughts may be the musings of an unstable individual, but he doesn't seem dangerous. Just naive and amusing. You'll find yourself laughing out loud at the show. Luckily, Karl never seems offended when his co-hosts, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, do just that. They're not cruel; just fascinated with the man. And now I am, too.

     The first season of The Ricky Gervais Show is now available on DVD, and new episodes air Friday nights on HBO.

Article first published as DVD Review: The Ricky Gervais Show: The Complete First Season on Blogcritics.

The Ricky Gervais Show: The Complete First Season

     Last year, HBO's The Ricky Gervais Show was probably one my favorite series to watch on TV. Every week I looked forward to another half hour of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant making fun of Karl Pilkington's perfectly round head. What's more, they examined what thoughts were thought up in Karl's perfectly round head, and it made for great entertainment.

     Although the humor seems to be at Karl's expense, somehow Ricky and Stephen do not come across as cruel. Having seen, heard, and read interviews with Gervais on the subject of Karl, he simply seems fascinated by the man. I share his wonder. Karl Pilkington is one of the most unique individuals on the planet. He clearly does not think the way most of us do. For instance, when Karl told Ricky about a watch you could wear that counts down until your death, and Ricky asked how such a watch would work, Karl responded by saying (I'm paraphrasing here), 'well, you just put it on your wrist...'

     The laughs do not stop for each of the thirteen episodes in the first season. Karl talks about his theories on all sorts of topics, from giving goats to poor Africans, to aging backwards, to animals. A recurring bit is Monkey News, where Karl discusses some piece of 'news' he read involving a monkey. Please keep in mind that for Karl, everything you read on the internet is fact.

     Karl isn't dumb, though. He is not traditionally educated all the far, but he has an intense curiosity and childlike wonderment. Part of the reason Karl can talk for so long on any given topic is because he frequently self-educates, though his sources aren't always the most reliable. It doesn't matter. You can't keep a good man down, and Karl is a good man. He never takes the smirks to heart, and genuinely tries to fully participate in the conversation. The show should really be called The Karl Pilkington Show, as he is certainly the main focus.

     The episodes are animated versions of Ricky Gervais's podcast from a few years ago. The main set is the three men in a studio, but there are frequent sequences bringing to life their ideas and musings. If you have heard those podcasts, than you already know everything contained in the series. However, the animation is cute, fun, and lively. As much as I enjoy listening to the trio on my iPod, I find it even better to watch the cartoon versions of them and see what they are talking about.

     Sadly, the DVD is very weak on extras. Episode three (the reverse aging one) is presented in full in storyboard format, but it's more fun to watch the finished animation. There is also a minute and a half new animation for a charity event. It could have easily fit into any episode, but is just a short. And that's it.

     To buy this DVD, which I highly recommend because of the episodes, despite the scarce features, please check out your favorite store, or visit the official site. Visit the Warner Bros. official site to get the inside scoop on all Warner movie and DVD releases.

     And after you watch the DVD, fear not! More content is on the way. The Ricky Gervais Show Season Two premieres Friday January 14th on HBO, and the premiere episode will be available for free all this week on HBO.com. Beginning January 22nd, Ricky Gervais presents An Idiot Abroad on the Science Channel, a series following Karl as he (reluctantly) visits the Seven Wonders of the World. This winter and spring will be rich with Karl Pilkington.

Article first published as DVD Review: The Ricky Gervais Show: The Complete First Season on Blogcritics.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional TV news, follow Jerome on Twitter.

The Ricky Gervais, er, Karl Pilkington Show

    HBO's The Ricky Gervais Show just completed it's first season.  Although the title has to be just to make marketing easier, I have no complaints about the rest of it.  It's one of the funniest things I've experienced, with or without the visual (it was originally released as audio only, but HBO added animation before they aired it).  Three men sit in a room and talk.  Well, Karl Pilkington talks.  Stephen Merchant, Gervais's long-time partner, laughs at Karl, and Ricky himself seems to frequently get quite angry.

     The topic for the season finale was "Freaks".  Basically, Karl talked about his favorite freaks, and eventually made a top five list.  One freak that was mentioned was a man whose head was on backwards.  To give you some idea of how things go, Karl brought up the man and described him, and then Stephen asks a reasonable question, in this case, if you were the man, would you rather walk forwards, and just try to turn your head, or walk backwards, where your head can see fine, but the rest of you would be messed up.  Karl answers with something totally unexpected and idiotic at whole new levels.  Karl's answer to the backwards head was that he would walk sideways, so no one would know.  At this point Ricky laughs derisively and calls him on the stupidity.

     It's hard to decide if Karl is for real or not, but after an entire season, I'm leaning towards Karl being genuine.  If not, he's a comic genius.  Now Gervais and Merchant, the brains behind the British The Office and Extras could conceivably come up with and write for such a ridiculous character, but it just doesn't feel like they are.  It feels like they've found this totally unique man and they just get off on talking to him.  Karl himself never gets angry or upset, he takes their comments and laughs with good humor.  He even allows his diary to be read on the show, which is perhaps the funniest segment.

     Also in this past episode, Karl was asked what he'd like God to say to him once he got to heaven.  After the necessary qualifying questions, of which Karl has plenty, his answer was about the same as you'd expect for anyone wanting a tour guide and an understanding of the place.  No deep understanding, new meaning, anything like that.  Karl just wants to know that basics.  He's a simple man, but the humor coming out of this show is anything but.  It's comic genius.

The Ricky Gervais Show podcast cartoon

     The Ricky Gervais Show premiered last night on HBO.  Essentially, it is bits of a podcast set to Flintstone-esque animation.  Mostly, it shows three guys sitting around the table with microphones, and then there are little flashes to illustrated whatever one of them has said.  The series stars the British The Office and Extras cohorts Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, along with the real star of the show, a producer named Karl Pilkington.
     Listening to it, one is immediately struck with the idea that Karl is such an idiot that he can't possibly be for real.  He says the most inane random tidbits, and Merchant and Gervais have a ball laughing at him.  No one can possibly be as stupid as Karl comes off as being.  However, both of his co-stars insist that it's all real, and that's really how Karl acts in real life.  It's why they added him to the show.  Gervais even insists the show is being done to make Karl a star, though other articles have speculated it's because Gervais was complaining about giving away this brilliant podcast for free.
     I can't decide if I should give the show a good review or not, and so I won't give it a star rating.  It's laugh out loud funny.  Hilarious in many sections.  The thing is, though, this is a podcast, and the animation is not why it's funny.  I would be just as amused listening to it on my iPod as I was watching the cartoon version.  What is enjoyable is Karl's assertions and Merchant and Gervais tearing him apart, and that would still be as jovial in any fashion that it is presented.
      That being said, it should be apparent that the title of the show is merely to attract attention and play off Gervais's fame.  More accurately, it would be called The Karl Pilkington Show, and in fact, Merchant and Gervais would be interchangeable with practically any two men on the planet.  They really don't add a thing to the project, despite the fact that both have proven themselves brilliant in their own right.
     Tune in to HBO Friday nights at 9pm and see for yourself.