SuperNature Ricky Gervais

dowie

dowie

dowie

Caporegime
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Watched this last night and it was pretty good, it's had a bit of controversy (some of which has been covered in the press) but this isn't the thread for that. He even starts off the special with a bit of sexism and explains that he'll be making use of irony... not that some critics will pay much attention to that, religion is an obvious recurring target for Gervais as are current woke ideological issues such as obesity and self ID. Anyway here's a (family/forum-friendly) bit from the intro:


Perhaps whether you'll like it or not will depend on whether your views tend to align more with the critics or with general audiences:

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Here are some other critics and audience scores of other recent big Netflix Comedy specials for comparison:

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Half hour in, it's about cancel culture which is relevant today. Highlights the issues with social bandwagoning and the weak minded/easily influenced. I like his work, funny, to the point and in good faith above all else. He's our Dave Chappelle as far as I am concerned.

Gervais hit nail on head in one joke. I say joke but we all know it's true. Those who believe in reincarnation and wish to come back as someone else are just devoid of anything meaningful in their current life so have to have something to believe in. It's a little understood or researched state of mind that one day will be expired in more detail. Just like how depression wasn't a recognised condition up until more recent years.

Just like Chappelle, great use of presentation for the jokes, the punchline resonating with those who are open and reaosnable, but at the same time offending those who only see/hear what they want to, tunnel vision of sorts I guess.
 
There was a time I really liked Gervais. I'm a big fan of The Office, and had enjoyed his 11 o'clock Show spot before that. But even back then I though his standup was crap, his two specials from the early 2000s didn't work for me at all, so I'll not be checking this one out.
 
Thought it was pretty funny myself, accurate as ever on the social commentary. Ruffled all the feathers.
 
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Never really liked RG as The Office wasnt my sort of humour so didn't bother with anything else, but on recommendation watched Derek and After Life and thought they, and he, were absolutely fantastic. So on the back of that went to see him live. God it was awful, sounds like it was the same material as in this show, about woke culture etc etc but it was so crass and lowest common denominator it was utterly pathetic.

Compared to say Tim Minchin, who we went to see as well, who also covered the same topics since they are currently topical, it was night and day with Tim being just as scathing but from a far more articulate and intelligent angle. And after watching Dave Chappelle, that latest one that seemed to cause all the controversy, it was also spot on and if theres any comparison to RG, it's in a pound shop way :p
 
Never liked his earlier stuff like The Office, loved Afterlife though and enjoyed this.

Very similar to Jimmy Carr's latest tour we went to see a few weeks ago in terms of "We all know these are jokes but if the world keeps going the way it does these are probably what will get me cancelled in a few years".
 
I watched it on release and thought it was great. Making similar points to Chapelle, who I think is top notch, and point made well given the backlash.
 
Thought it was like his other 2 specials myself, very hit and miss, although I've never found him to be laugh out loud funny. The 'controversial' bit was maybe 90 seconds of the 60 minute gig, and not really controversial in the least.
 
Went to see Stewart Lee's Tornado/********* stand up a couple of weeks back, he does an extended bit on the concept of stand up comedians going on about not being able to talk about the controversial things they then go on spend an hour talking about, using Ricky Gervais as an prime example. I won't spoil it but it is a classic Lee routine which seems to go on forever. I am lucky enough to thoroughly enjoy Gervais as well, but Stewart Lee is the undisputed master. It's all tongue in cheek anyway to be honest.

Business Rates!
 
Can't say I thought much of it. Weak observations poorly performed as per the rest of his standup or indeed any of his solo work since separating from Merchant. A few chuckles but would have turned it off if the GF wasn't enjoying it.

As for the few controversial bits, meh. He baits because he likes it and because he can and I agree that he should have free reign to do so. But it's just so predictable and dull at this point. You could script his material in bullet points and be pretty spot on every time.
 
I've always found Gervais' stand-up to be poor, just not my style. I've enjoyed the majority of the TV shows he's created, however.
 
Bubo said:
Went to see Stewart Lee's Tornado/********* stand up a couple of weeks back, he does an extended bit on the concept of stand up comedians going on about not being able to talk about the controversial things they then go on spend an hour talking about, using Ricky Gervais as an prime example.
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I do like Stuart Lee but that's a bit hack of him and the sort of thing you'd expect from the likes of Nish Kumar. I've not seen Gervais complain about not being able to talk about certain things, rather his attitude has generally tended to be the opposite of that; he'll address controversial topics regardless:

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Bubo said:
He also described Ricky Gervais' sitcom After Life as a 9 hour crying ****. :D
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That's good :D

I remember when he started doing bits about James Cordon, in part just because Cordon kept saying how much he liked Stuart Lee so Lee thought the funniest reaction would be for him to just hate Cordon.
 
i prefer your more simple, common comedians like Micky Flanagan and Kevin Bridges.

Im not mad on comedians who try to be too clever and lecture on serious stuff.
 
I msged my mum telling her to watch this last week, she said she thought it was funny, Obviously we couldn't actually talk about anything that was is it to each other.

His line at the start saying he's just being Ironic and saying what you shouldn't say...a bit like the old I don't mean any offence but... :p
Dave Chappelles netflix special had a full audience in it didn't they, Was there actually anyone there for this one?

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