Gervais slams British drama
John Plunkett
Monday September 4, 2006
Ricky Gervais has offered a damning indictment of British TV, saying he only watches five homegrown programmes a year "and they are all reality shows".
The man behind Extras and The Office said there had not been a decent British TV drama since GBH 15 years ago.
As he considers his first move into drama with his co-writer Stephen Merchant, Gervais said UK broadcasters "just can't do or don't do" shows of the calibre of US hits like the Sopranos, 24, The Wire and The Shield.
"I just can't remember the last time I watched a British drama, probably something like GBH," said Gervais at today's press launch of the second series of Extras.
"I don't give them a go and turn off. They just don't come into my vision. I only watch about five British shows and they are probably all reality shows."
He added that US dramas such as The Sopranos had begun to eclipse film with the "moral ambiguity of the situation. You don't know whose side you are on and it's not as clear cut [as film]. You can't help but be intrigued."
Despite the success of his podcast, Gervais said he still regards making TV shows as his "day job" and did not appear to rule out a third series of Extras, which begins its second run on BBC2 on September 14.
"I think the internet is am amazing source of freedom for artists because you bypass any censorship outside of your own morality," he added.
"But I don't think it will replace radio or TV, just like downloading didn't replace record companies. They embraced it. It is a symbiotic relationship."
sUmMaRy
This article refers to Ricky Gervais, one of the most successful British writers views on British TV claiming he only watches '5 British' programmmes a year and these all being 'Reality TV'. Gervais goes on to explain that British TV cannot and has not matched American Dramas such as 'The Sopranoes' and he doesn't know why. Furthermore, he claims that the last decent British show was 'GBH', 15 years ago. He concludes by annoucing that he thinking about writing a third-series of his hugely accliamed comedy show 'Extras'
My OpInIoN
In My Opinion, Gervais comments reflect badly on British TV of today. Gervais reflects the thoughts of many TV viewers as American imports seem to have the most success with shows such as 'Prison Break' and 'Lost'. Addionally, i think Gervais comments should act as a wake up call to all writers, as he being one of the best and most popular writers shows the decline in British TV and level that other writers need to achieve. Furthermore, i find it rather Interesting, that Gervais only watches 5 British programmes and that being 'Reality TV'. This reinforces the success and power of Reality TV as Gervais who one would expect to be critical of Reality TV with his role yet he is a fan. Overall, i would agree with Gervais comments. Whilst there being a few British Dramas that i find interesting, 'Bad Girls', the quality of British TV compared to America is minimal thus outlining the gulf in class between the two and outling the work thats needed to be put in to restore the popularity of British TV
John Plunkett
Monday September 4, 2006
Ricky Gervais has offered a damning indictment of British TV, saying he only watches five homegrown programmes a year "and they are all reality shows".
The man behind Extras and The Office said there had not been a decent British TV drama since GBH 15 years ago.
As he considers his first move into drama with his co-writer Stephen Merchant, Gervais said UK broadcasters "just can't do or don't do" shows of the calibre of US hits like the Sopranos, 24, The Wire and The Shield.
"I just can't remember the last time I watched a British drama, probably something like GBH," said Gervais at today's press launch of the second series of Extras.
"I don't give them a go and turn off. They just don't come into my vision. I only watch about five British shows and they are probably all reality shows."
He added that US dramas such as The Sopranos had begun to eclipse film with the "moral ambiguity of the situation. You don't know whose side you are on and it's not as clear cut [as film]. You can't help but be intrigued."
Despite the success of his podcast, Gervais said he still regards making TV shows as his "day job" and did not appear to rule out a third series of Extras, which begins its second run on BBC2 on September 14.
"I think the internet is am amazing source of freedom for artists because you bypass any censorship outside of your own morality," he added.
"But I don't think it will replace radio or TV, just like downloading didn't replace record companies. They embraced it. It is a symbiotic relationship."
sUmMaRy
This article refers to Ricky Gervais, one of the most successful British writers views on British TV claiming he only watches '5 British' programmmes a year and these all being 'Reality TV'. Gervais goes on to explain that British TV cannot and has not matched American Dramas such as 'The Sopranoes' and he doesn't know why. Furthermore, he claims that the last decent British show was 'GBH', 15 years ago. He concludes by annoucing that he thinking about writing a third-series of his hugely accliamed comedy show 'Extras'
My OpInIoN
In My Opinion, Gervais comments reflect badly on British TV of today. Gervais reflects the thoughts of many TV viewers as American imports seem to have the most success with shows such as 'Prison Break' and 'Lost'. Addionally, i think Gervais comments should act as a wake up call to all writers, as he being one of the best and most popular writers shows the decline in British TV and level that other writers need to achieve. Furthermore, i find it rather Interesting, that Gervais only watches 5 British programmes and that being 'Reality TV'. This reinforces the success and power of Reality TV as Gervais who one would expect to be critical of Reality TV with his role yet he is a fan. Overall, i would agree with Gervais comments. Whilst there being a few British Dramas that i find interesting, 'Bad Girls', the quality of British TV compared to America is minimal thus outlining the gulf in class between the two and outling the work thats needed to be put in to restore the popularity of British TV
posted by Rajan at 1:03 PM
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