I hadn’t watched the Office until my son wanted to binge it on Netflix. I knew this Gervais bloke was behind the original UK version, and that the show is hilarious, but it didn’t phase me in the least.
My introduction to the Mr. Ricky Gervais came differently than most.
Yet unexposed to the Office, I still absolutely adored his witty, authentic story telling since I landed the two season box set of Extras in 2009 from my brother, Adam.
My goodness what a gift this man has.
After consuming his raw, fun look into what it’s like to be an extra while waiting for the audition that changes everything, I knew his writing was genius.
Then came his authentic monologue at the Golden Globes that literally made cocktail spew in disbelief as I stopped changing the channel to make sure I heard what I thought I heard him say. He basically said what most of non-celebrity Americans were thinking but unclear how to articulate as well as he can.
Ricky Gervais has the unique talent with words to expose vulnerabilities in ways that connect us on a more human level while laughing, crying and feeling real in a plastic place.
He has the skill to open minds and even change them. What a superpower.
His ability to write, act, produce and direct a vision refuels your soul regardless of realizing it was needing it.
Sure, for those pre-existing Gervais fans you may be thinking, gees Heather… he’s great but why so deep on him now?
I watched Afterlife.
I watched it with my husband of nearly 18 years and allowed it to consume us in every way. We felt humored, saddened, dispaired, renewed, elated, endeared, impressed and as a seeker of powerful screenplays – enamored with the wisdom, storytelling, philosophy and presence of Ricky Gervais.
I always imagine the typical dream question – if I could pick people to meet and have dinner with, who would I choose? I get full of so much hope when there’s another stranger out there who’s work, appearance of ethics and ability to communicate artfully makes the thought pop into my head.
It makes me ready to bake a meatloaf and create a list of so many questions to ask and learn from.
Mr. Carlin won’t be available to meet for a while so Mr. Gervais is probably going to sit next to Mr. Chappelle. I’ll be curious to find out if he prefers Buffalo Trace like Mr. Rogan or will lean towards the Cabernet I’m expecting to offer Mrs. Parton and Mrs. Lange. Maybe we’ll all just shoot for the bourbon.
A girl can dream, right? Thanks, Ricky, for being another diamond in a rhinestone world.
Thanks for also being a diamond and reading my stories,
Heather
