Ricky ‘Mong’ Gervais is opening his mouth again so he can not only show us his peculiar teeth, but also, offer his opinions on the whole gruesome spectacle that is the beast known as ‘fame’ and ‘celebrity’.
No-one will disagree that Gervais is a famous, famous man. He’s been in a myriad of average films and hosted some award ceremonies. Effectively, he’s a Tesco Value Billy Crystal.
Anyway, he’s criticising British culture because it stifles aspiration. Not only that, he had some choice (read ‘judgemental’) words to say about today’s “fame-hungry” society. Of course, you’ll remember that, in the past, no-one wanted to be famous and all anyone really wanted to do was to get a job as an admin monkey in an office. Remember those days? Halcyon, halcyon days.
Gervais told the Radio Times that British children aren’t being encouraged to pursue their ambitions.
“I never really thought about even having a career… Being a working-class Brit I believed it was better to never try than to try, and run the risk of failing.
“Americans are brought up to believe they can be the president of the United States. British kids are told: ‘Don’t be stupid. It won’t happen for you.’
Yeah. Teachers? They’re all a shower of gits aren’t they?
Ricky added that he didn’t try at school, despite having the smarts:
“This is my greatest regret. It’s a disgusting attitude and potentially a waste of a life. Writing and directing The Office was the first thing I ever tried my hardest at. The reward was revelatory.”
Naturally, Gervais – who likes saying the word ‘mong’ on twitter and pulling ‘spazz faces’ and sharing them via TwitPic – has a television show to promote. It’s called Life’s Too Short and is a mockumentary which looks at Warwick Davis’s day-to-day life as a dwarf actor. Apparently, it:
“reflects the more modern age – desperate, fame-hungry monsters who will do anything just to be on the telly”.
Fame-hungry monsters. Get that? If you want to get famous, you’re a monster. Screw you for wanting to better your life or, y’know, ignoring that nagging ‘it won’t happen for you’ advice that Gervais lambasted earlier. YOU’RE A MONSTER.
That’s because you’re only allowed to become famous if you say you didn’t ever want it.
“I never tried to be famous… I was willing to be the centre of attention in a small group of friends for saying something funny. Even interesting. I wanted to be the funniest person in the room, not the most famous.”
Bullshit Mister I-Used-To-Be-The-Lead-Singer-Of-A-Band.
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Tony Dhansak says
Saying ‘mong’ a shitload of times on Twitter is probably the funniest thing Gervais will ever do.
yellowcakeuf6 says
Ricky Gervais peaked with ‘The Office’. Absolute comedy genius. Bulls eyeat the first attempt. ‘Extra’s’ was ok. It had it’s moments, but it was David Brent (or is it Ricky Gervais?) again and everything else has been David Brent (or is it Ricky Gervais) in a different location.
Arte you a one trick pony Ricky Gervais?
JoeMomma says
I wanna be a cube monkey. I wanna be a cube monkey. I wanna be a cube monkey. I wanna be a cube monkey. I wanna be a cube monkey. I wanna be a cube monkey.
Damn it does work.