Ricky Gervais has created the perfect hybrid of ‘Extras‘ & ‘The Office‘ with ‘Life’s Too Short’. Warwick Davis stars as the rather deluded version of himself, and he’s like the lovechild of Gervais and Edina Monsoon from Absolutely Fabulous.
Someone is bound to be offended by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s latest show ‘Life’s Too Short‘ and that’s okay since many of us can appreciate this hilarious show. When it aired on the BBC last fall, it got some people stirred up, so you know with our PC culture here, it should get even more. If they bother to watch this very funny show, they’ll see that ‘Life’s Too Short’ is less about being a small person, but one with an overextended ego. Warwick Davis plays an long out of work actor who continually reminds me people that he was in ‘Return Of the Jedi‘, ‘Willow‘ and the ‘Harry Potter‘ films. Davis will remind many of you of those people we known or know that truly live in their own version of reality and always have an excuse for their actions. Just when you’re starting to like and feel for Davis, he’ll turn around and do something that just makes you uncomfortable, and that’s the beauty of this show.
Another highlight of the show is Davis’ secretary, Cheryl, (Rosamund Hanson) who easily puts Absolutely Fabulous’ Bubbles to shame. Hanson doesn’t even have to say anything to get a laugh, but when Davis wants her to speak for him, it’s just so damn funny what comes out. One instance in the second episode is when Davis and she brainstorm for types of jobs and she suggests being a decoy for pedophiles which goes on quite the tangent.
Luckily, we found out the Gervais is a fan of Best Movies Ever, and had the full season sent over which we appreciate, but then we realized that it was only seven episodes long, and now we hope HBO picks it up for another season. In the premiere episode, Davis’ hyper version of himself is set up perfectly in mockumentary style, and if you’re on the fence about this show, just check out the video below and you’ll see why we’re raving on about it. It’s not just finding out the Gervais likes out site, but ‘Life’s Too Short’ is just frigging fun tv with a healthy balance of non-PC humor. Liam Neeson makes you look at him in a whole new light with his sketch finding the humor in AIDS. It’s not really finding the humor in it, but the way he plays this version of himself wanting to do stand-up which results in an improvisational routine that will make the most PC person wind up smirking.
The premise for ‘Life’s Too Short’ might be familiar, but with Warwick Davis, Gervais and Merchant have found a very winning formula showing the day to day plights of an out of work actor desperate to make every move a plotted PR stunt, including hiring the loveable ‘So You Think You Can Dance‘ host Kat Deeley to using his talent agency for small people to get the best jobs for himself which winds up with a twisted scene with Helena Bonham Carter that I’m sure has happened to some actors.
Whether you’re a PC person or not, this is that show that mixes in some uncomfortable humor with laugh out loud moments before heading into sometimes dark territory that made ‘Extras’ such a cult favorite. Johnny Depp also pops in for a bizarre cameo, but so far, Liam Neeson is the best of the bunch for me.
Best Movies Ever Rating: B+
‘Life’s Too Short’ is well worth watching Warwick Davis, who’s great at physical comedy along with making you feel for him one moment then just give him a reality pill the next. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant continue their winning formula, and we can only hope they do another season as the ending of season one begs for a little more Davis.
Liam Neeson Sketch From Life’s Too Short – Best Movies Ever
Life’s Too Short Trailer – Best Movies Ever
Life’s Too Short Season 1 Trailer by HBO
‘Life’s Too Short’ Review: It’s Bound To Offend Someone & That’s Good – Best Movies Ever News
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Curt Johnson
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