12/13/2009 9:30 am

Culture

On '60 Minutes': Ricky Gervais on 'The Office' (Video)

Lesley Stahl

Get ready to get a giggle out of my "60 Minutes" piece this Sunday. Ricky Gervais is now one of the wealthiest funnymen in the world. What for? He created the British hit "The Office," and now produces the hit U.S. version starring Steve Carrell. Take a look at what happens when Gervais takes over during my interview with him, directing the cameras and giving us a glimpse into his improvisational shtick.

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Also on "60 Minutes" this Sunday, Steve Kroft interviews President Barack Obama and Morley Safer reports on the science of growing body parts from human cells.

8 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

BelindaJoy

I first became acquainted with Ricky back when the show Extras was aired on HBO and I fell in love. He is hilarious!  For those who have cable, it is a must see to watch The Office featuring Ricky which originated in the UK and later became what we know today as Steve Carell’s version on NBC. It airs on BBC America, although I think it can now be seen on Adult Swim….but don’t hold me to it.

He has a wit and charm that is infectious. He also has the one attribute that I prefer to see in celebrities and that is a common touch. He looks casual and approachable, those are two attributes that I think are a must in anyone. And thanks Lesley for the heads up on the Obama interview with Steve. Boy, Steve Kroft is landing a number of interviews with President Obama. I wonder if they are now friends? He has as much access to Barack as Oprah. ;-D

By BelindaJoy on 12/10/2009 4:40 pm
BellaMia

Isn’t Steve the one who asked Obama if he were "punch drunk" when Obama was laughing inappropriately about the unemployment numbers?  Why would Obama grant another interview with Steve after that? I’m surprised.

President Barack Obama said he believes the global financial system remains at risk of implosion with the failure of Citigroup or AIG, which could touch off “an even more destructive recession and potentially depression.”

 

His remarks came in a“60 Minutes” interview in which he was pressed by Steve Kroft for laughing and chuckling several times while discussing the perilous state of the world’s economy.

 

“You’re sitting here. And you’re— you are laughing. You are laughing about some of these problems. Are people going to look at this and say, ‘I mean, he’s sitting there just making jokes about money—’ How do you deal with— I mean: explain…” Kroft asked at one point.

 

“Are you punch-drunk?” Kroft said.

 Here’s the video of that moment….pretty strange, and unprecedented.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/20339.html

By BellaMia on 12/11/2009 1:45 am
Cjay
The Office fails in performance ability, and writing. Yes, I know, people love it, but they loved other marginal things, too.
By Cjay on 12/11/2009 3:30 pm
BelindaJoy
Well C Jay you have a right to your opinion, but I would say the episodes you watched may have been some of their less than funny ones. They do have some that were a bit out there….they took risks that plummeted. But overall the writing is spot on and hilarious.
By BelindaJoy on 12/12/2009 12:16 am
Cjay
darn, I responded to you and some spam thingy blocked me - I can’t see it with a screed reader program! In short, I agree with you!
By Cjay on 12/12/2009 12:33 am
patrickalongie
Dear Lesley, I see that Diane Sawyer is moving from morning GMA to the evening news. That’s unfortunate because that means she’ll be stuffing those terrific looking legs under a desk instead of showing them off like she did during the morning interviews. Never the less you have what none of theses on the air babes have which is a beautiful face and smile. Don’t take my word for it just look around at all the ladies right here on Wowowow you’re absolutely the hottest looking one hands down.
By patrickalongie on 12/12/2009 10:58 pm
alemapbbor

I love Ricky Gervais. Years ago, when I started watching the British version of the office, I found it rather difficult to get into it, and sometimes a hard time getting it. Mainly, I think, because of the broad and varied English accents. And, the Brits, in contrast to Canadian TV, seemed to be extremely lenient towards content containing jokes that seemed blatantly sexist and racist.  But then, I discovered Extras. I loved it. Hilariously funny. Oh, how we love them more, if the characters are flawed, tortured and frustrated.  

As for the US version of the office, I could identify way too much for comfort with this sitcom. The Office is like those extra shakes of hot sauce on your eggs; the shake, shake, shake that pushes you off the cliff of doom and discomfort, but when the fire dies down, you are left in a state of simmering euphoria. I LOVE IT! I love the office.

I worked in a government office for 27 years. During those many flawed, tortured and frustrating years, I was transferred and promoted to several different governmental departments. What FREAKS me out about the Office, it portrays characters, so eerily similar, to many of the people I worked with. Now retired, it’s lovely to sit back, feet up, maybe a glass of wine in hand, and watch the Office characters and their antics; laugh at it, rather than living it hair raising daily.   

By alemapbbor on 12/13/2009 12:55 pm
E

Ricky Gervais makes me laugh - a lot!  Loved Extras, loved his HBO special, love the UK version of The Office, really like the US version of The Office, haven’t seen his movie (movies?).  Lesley Stahl did a great interview with RG - thank you Ms. Stahl!

Extras - best episodes Patrick Stewart and David Bowie, 

he little fat man who sold his soul…
Little fat man who sold his dream… Chubby little loser…
Chubby little loser… National joke…
Pathetic little fat man… No one’s bloody laughing…

!!!  Guess you have to see for yourself.  Love David Bowie too =]

By E on 12/16/2009 1:19 am