I watched the second or third episode, and the corners of my mouth did not turn upwards by even a fraction of a degree. They turned down though, as I mourned the time I'd spent watching it, when I could have been doing something that would add more to the sum of human happiness, like drowning some puppies or fire bombing a CAB office.

It's actually as bad as Blessed, the mathematically unfunny Ben Elton sitcom; or Dot Comedy, the entirely laugh-free internet show which Gail Porter would be quite justified in expunging from her CV.

But hey, Ricky G needn't worry. I'm just jealous at his success.

episode because I only caught the last few minutes while waiting for "Newsnight" and I've only sat through one other. But from what I have seen, it wins the prize for the most appropriately named TV show in the world. Ever.

At least it isn't Eddie Izzard's "Cows". Student surrealism - how original:

Haven't seen last nights yet, but I think Warrick Davis was superb in episodes 2 and 3. To a large extent he's playing David Brent, but his "Oliver Hardy" looks to camera are a delight.

Warrick is a great phyiscal comedian and even though we've seen the like of them before, the celebrity cameos remain fun. I think "Life's too short" is a return to quality for Ricky Gervais following the cobblers associated with the various Karl Pilkington indulgencies.

Epsiode 1 was alright, though somewhat marred by the sense that Davis was trying to replicate Gervais' turn as Brent: the self-aggrandising tone and sideways glance to camera etc. Episode 2 seemed to me to be a massive improvement, mainly thanks to Johnny Depp's demented appearance, and a wonderful pay off from BarryFromEastenders in the closing seconds.

However, the last two episodes have been dreadful, especially the third. It just seems a little lazy now - the same jokes trotted out each week, no real direction. Steve Carrell's cameo last night seemed crowbarred in; in fact Gervais and Merchant's appearance in general seems rather odd and rarely fits with the plot. None of that would matter if it was actually funny but it rarely raises more than a smile, which is a massive shame after the Office and Extras.

At least it is a showcase for Warwick Davis, who I'd never thought of as a comic actor. And it's great seeing Smell from This Is England too, even if her character is a little one-note.

After two.

The (American) Office is now crap as well.

It is so bad I think I would rather watch another episode of Pan-Am than sit through it again.

I laughed a bit yesterday - when the accountant acting as his divorce lawyer had the giggles.

I agree Warrick is great in it, but other than that it's a poor show.
The basic premise seemed pretty good, but the celebrity cameos are crowbarred in and don't move the plot along at all. They're just set pieces, and it's almost as if they were out-takes from 'Extras' that have just been flown in. So much of what happens is so far fetched and ludicrous, whereas in The Office he went to great pains to try and make characters and situations believeable.
This just seems an excuse for Ricky Gervais to put short people in funny costumes and have them fall over, hit each other etc. which clearly finds endlessly hilarious.

My main criticism of it...it's just not particularly funny.

Neither would have been made if was not for The Office, just an excuse to parade his A list phone book.

When Susie said that Extras was the best comedy ever made in Curb Your Enthusiasm it made me aware that no one will point out that the emperor is starkers, even in a fictional story line.

As for Life's Too Short - in the memorable words of Bart Simpson it sucks and blows at the same time.

has to be said.

.. and its bad.

hmm

I would like to be able to watch this very funny series without being made to feel I am part of some subhuman species because I laugh at things that are non pc. If its good enough for Warwick Davis its good enough for me.

Him & Her, on the other hand, is damn near perfect.

http://thequietus.com/articles/07434-ricky-gervais-mong-face