10 Big Time Actors Who Are Way Better On TV
7. Ricky Gervais
During Inside The Actor's Studio, Ricky Gervais said "I've never been as impressed with someone who can transform themselves, as someone who does one piece of schtick well. Woody Allen, same character. Bob Hope, same character, Laurel and Hardy, same characters. There's no-one better. There is no-one better". Right.
On The Big Screen:
His pride in being a type of one trick pony is put to good use in The Invention Of Lying. Ok, the film didn't exactly set the world alight with an incandescent script of improbable genius, but Gervais brings well, his persona, and it's satisfying. The writing is considerably better in Cemetery Junction, a film where Gervais plays another version of himself.
And he doesn't care, because it works.
In Your Living Room:
That being said, it works so much better when it's on TV, firstly because his style suits TV more than the fantasy realm of movies. Secondly, he will always be David Brent from The Office.
As Brent, he's hopelessly deluded, desperate and a bit of a prick. In Extras, he takes this type of humour further, and blends it with Hollywood and it works sublimely, crucially because of that televisual realism you can't get in film. Gervais perfected his brand on TV and a generation of British actors owe him a debt of gratitude.
Best TV Moment:
That dance from The Office.