Ricky Gervais is a particular type of masturbator who thinks he's making his self-satisfaction everyone else's privilege. And he thinks we all think it's a bit he's doing. Self-aggrandizement is the bit he chooses to do because self-aggrandizement is always the first thing on his mind.
Ricky boundaries mate boundaries. LOL. Garry obviously hates being touched and Ricky knowing this, keeps on being touchy touchy? Like meeting a super fan boy in the back of your home. Okay lads, time to take the pudgy man away
Very awkward interview? Gary looks annoyed like meeting a super fan boy at your house at 3 AM kind of annoyed. Ricky all $ and giggles loves these kind of moments. But Gary looks more like yeah okay we can all be funny, but this is my house not a movie set. Its not TV so turn down the comedy. Most comics pro or otherwise love comedy, but can switch over to super serious in a heart beat, myself included. Ricky is a natural funny guy, but Gary looks unimpressed by his routines
Gotta love Rip Torn. The guy is perfect for Arty, but he is bizarre with a capital B. There was a story about how he was arrested passed out drunk after he broke into a bank with a gun. Apparently Rip Torn had his demons ... but now he and Garry are both gone, rest in peace. Both really great.
Once you've seen it a couple of times, this isn't anywhere near as uncomfortable to watch or unfriendly as some people think it is. Garry is playing up the awkwardness and the air of being a bit pissed off (because he was annoyed that some information wasn't passed along to Ricky by one of the producers - Larry mentions this in a much later interview), and Ricky is on the back-foot a bit, but I think they both come out of it looking well....Garry does because of how sharp and no-nonsense he is, and Ricky does because you can tell how much he really wants to connect with Garry because of how much he admires the guy. Despite this interview's notoriety, there's nothing here for either man to be embarrassed about. It's a genuinely funny and insightful exchange, with a bit of pleasingly appropriate Larry Sanders/Office-esque awkwardness thrown in for very good effect. In fact it's pretty much perfect.
I don't understand why Ricky would cancel the series because of this. He seems to thrive on awkward moments. I guess this time it was a different kind of awkward.
I can’t think of anyone that is as naturally funny as Gary. It seems every sentence is comedy material, or is it the way he says it? Either way he’s a legend.
Yeah I think it’s shtick or a bit for Gary at times and serious at others. Ricky could hang with him with jokes and was serious himself, they are both uncomfortable being serious because they are comedians.
Ricky fans always cope big time in the comments section of these videos, it's pretty clear Shandling thought he was an idiot and made a few jokes hoping he'd pick up what he teed up for him but he just kept chuckling like an idiot and wincing at every instance of bruised ego
As Judd Apatow said about this today on Neal Brennan's podcast, Shandling justified all of his behavior here as an "art experiment" and a lesson in awkward humor, but Apatow calls it out as "cruel" and "hostile." It was actually a peek into Shandling's darker side, despite his later attempts to say it was all a comedic exercise. Ricky Gervais did nothing wrong here, the schedule mix-up was not his fault and he was not aware of it. Today, it is just a fascinating time capsule of cringe humor that "The Office" would go on to make mainstream.
With all the fuss that's been made of this, in the light of hindsight it's very clear what Gary is doing, and Ricky picks up on it early, if he wasn't already in on it.
Maybe I missed something, but I thought the interview was candid, direct, probing, attentive, respectful, and refreshing compared to one person fawning over another or both people dishing out deceptions and false modesty. Neither Gervais nor Shandling were afraid of revealing inadequacies, doubts, difficulties, or personal truths. It was mature and truthful, and I got the clear sense they both learned something from each other through allowing reality to exert itself freely. I have no idea what the introductory statement of the posting party means. Perhaps this wasn't the interview he thought he was sharing. At any rate, thanks for posting. It was one of the better interviews I've ever seen.
Garry and Ricky killed this interview. They clearly enjoyed each other's wit and company. Hilarious. I'm stunned it's taken me 13 years to stumble upon this.
What a prick. I have looked over the previous comments etc and understand the context; but as a human being why so confrontational and prickish right from the outset? That first 3 minute exchange reveals a lot about the man. One of the most cringe moments I’ve ever seen on TV and I’m amazed they even put it out. LD, CG alone would have made a nice little two parter
Gary has explained what is going on here later on, and it isn't the antagonistic thing it looks like. I don't remember what he said, but it made me like Gary again. It was on a podcast. I want to say it was You Made it Weird but I really don't remember which one it was. Anyway, Gary wasn't being serious. And I'm almost certain Ricky was in on what was happening.
I can imagine him playing this song in a house in the middle of nowhere while the skies are grey, the wind softly blows around the area covered by Marlboro smoke and the bottle of malt liquor by the rocking chair that he's sitting on.
RG was so desperate and eager for approval from his idol that he forgot GS waa a human being and failed to connect with GS on a human level. He first tried the court jester type "im perfectly comfortable being funnily rude to my idol. Look at me!" schtick with GS and when it became obvious GS wasnt up for it (especially since RG scheduled his interview ahead of GS) he tried another route: I'll be Karl P for this interview, that ought to loosen him up. But all GS wanted was a real and human conversation. He would have treated RG as an equal or even an eager rising star who still has a lot to learn about comedy had RG showed a hint of willingness to let GS shine. GS knew throughout the intvw that this was more about RG than GS and he tried to steer RG to a place of truth and authenticity and genuine himan interaction, but Gervais wanted more recognition and approval than any comedian should seek.
Man it's crazy how much Gary had him pegged. He IS a naughty boy who really DOES have that Brent laughing at Chris Finch making fun of people feel to him as a person. But now he's gone from Brent to Finch. Any trace of self doubt has been erased as well as any trce of self awareness. He has declined. Feels like when he lost weight he lost something that was keeping his ego in check
