TCA: More of Ricky Gervais’ 'Extras'? It’s not out of the question

If only he could persuade writing partner and “Extras” co-creator Stephen Merchant to do it.

“I’m trying to persuade him to do another special,” Gervais told reporters today at HBO’s portion of Television Critics Assn. press tour. “But I like the way it ended. It’s never say never with ‘Extras’…It isn’t a 100% no.”

“Extras” ended with a Christmas special in December which opens with Gervais’ fame-hungry Andy Millman realizing what celebrity has cost him while on the reality show “Celebrity Big Brother.”

Gervais is headlining a stand-up special for HBO in November. He said he plans to continue live comedy for the foreseeable future. “I want to keep with the stand-up because I’m just started to get good at it,” he said. I like the romance of it, being the last bastion of self-censorship.”

“If someone asked what I do, I’d say I’m a comedian, not an actor,” he said.

Emmy voters awarded him with the top acting prize anyway, an accolade that Gervais was stunned by. He wasn’t even around to claim the award. “I was very surprised. But it was the best acceptance speech ever from Steve Carell,” who took the trophy hostage in Gervais’ absence. “I would have ruined it.”

As for Carell and the American version of “The Office,” Gervais, who is an executive producer on the show, is content to let them do their thing. Even if that means spinning off the brand into another NBC comedy. The network has already cast “Human Giant” actor Aziz Ansari in the spin-off, set for a winter debut.

“By my request, it’s really their baby -- but I’ve got a piece of it, thanks for asking,” he joked.

Gervais is also busy editing the movie “This Side of the Truth,” his directorial debut, and next stars in “Ghost Town,” which comes out in December.

--Denise Martin

(Photo courtesy Ray Burmiston / HBO)

Comments

[Mike from Denver]

Ricky Gervais is a freakin' genius. Everything he does is funny and smart. I hope Extras does another episode.

[Ivan Rosete]

Brilliant guy.......Saw him at Kodak on Sat....I basically have heard all those jokes....Bummed out that he didnt use new material.....Elephant joke from "Animals"....Check.......Anne Frank joke from "Politics"....Check........Same mannerisms when telling jokes.... Check.....I was tempted to pull out my I-phone which had video of all these jokes he was telling........Vince Vaughn was in the crowd should have thrown him on stage.