Naughty Ricky Gervais Wants Too Much Money

Want to hear a confession?

Hecklerspray - well, some of us in the office, anyway - is actually quite a big fan of Ricky Gervais. Yeah, yeah, the second series of Extras may have been unmitigated cack, but the genius of The Office still knocks most of the current crop of British comedy into the cockiest of cocked hats. Although - given that the current crop of British comedy is made up of funny-as-cancer shite like The Friday Night Project, that really doesn't say much.

He has been a successful chap, mind, all of which might have gone to his portly head. Gervais had got into trouble with Edinburgh Fringe fans, who had hoped to see his comic stylings live at his one-off gig at Edinburgh Castle. Unfortunately - while most Fringe acts (including the frankly marvellous Stewart Lee) are offering their shows at reasonable ticket prices, the Rickster has chosen to set back potential audiences a whopping £37.50.

Just to compare? You can see the wonderful Shazia Mirza ("that's my real name, and not just the one on my pilot's license") for a bargain fee of £9.50.

Which you should.

Colin Fox, chairman of the Edinburgh People's Festival, has said about Gervais:

"When tickets for a stand-up comedian cost £37.50 it illustrates how far today's festival has gone in forgetting its roots. Gone are the days when anyone could go from one show to another and still have change left to meet up for a pint or two with his mates."

While a spokesperson for Gervais himself said:

"It is a big venue and it is sold out. Eight thousand people haven't been put off by the ticket price - what more is there to say."

Fair enough. Although they neglected to mention that most of that money came from the Hecklerspray Campaign To Stop Ricky Gervais Ever Performing That Silly Dance At Large-Scale Cultural Events Fund.

One step at a time, people.

Read More:

Anger Over Ticket Prices For Gervais's Show - Independent