RICKY GERVAIS DIDN’T LIKE ‘MARRIAGE REF’

I meant to write this up earlier, but — in an effort to be fair to a show I judged without seeing — I actually took the time to watch “The Marriage Ref” last Thursday. And while I don’t like the show’s concept or host Tom Papa, I’ll readily admit that Larry David and Ricky Gervais make for outstanding entertainment (Madonna, meanwhile, came through with a “NOT!” punchline from Wayne’s World. Haha, good one, Madonna).

But the highlight had to have been when Ricky Gervais broke down into hysterics and showed his incredulity at being on the show, which felt to me like a tacit admission that he’d been roped in against his will.

What is going on?!?  [laughs] What is going on? This is a strange programme! I feel like someone’s put crack in my drink. What is going on? This is the weirdest show I’ve ever been on. I mean, it’s already weird. It’s weird with you two [gestures at Madonna and Larry David], there’s people behind [points to audience above stage] — I don’t know what they’re doing up there.

I don’t know, watch the video below (via Inside TV). It’s funnier when he says it. You need the British accent and his high-pitched cackle to make it work. I even tried spelling “program” the English way, but the humor just doesn’t translate. Kinda like when Tom Papa tries to be funny.