Fat Man From Reading

Ricky Gervais’ First TV Gig

Looking back at Ricky Gervais' early career including his first regular TV appearance filling the void left by Ali G - no pressure then!

Ray Mortimer

28 March 2023

Contains adult humour and themes

Before he enjoyed the huge success he has today, Ricky Gervais skirted the fringes of the entertainment industry in various roles.

All That Razzmatazz

In 1983, in his final year at university, he formed new wave band Seona Dancing with best friend Bill Macrae. They released two singles but failed to make the UK charts. They did however perform on ITV kids show Razzmatazz in 1983 – his first actual TV appearance.

Chance Meeting?

He managed the then-unknown band Suede, during the early 1990s before working as an entertainment manager at the University of London Union, and then at XFM Radio. It was there he hired Stephen Merchant as his assistant – but only because that was the first CV he came across.

TV Calls

Around this time, as a side gig he moved into comedy writing, and then performing. He was a regular contributor on Radio 1 shows, and also ITV’s The Sketch Show.

His big break – and first regular TV appearance – really came with Channel 4’s 11 O’Clock Show where he gained national attention for his close to the knuckle writing and quick wit.

He joined the show in early 1999 with his regular monologue pieces to camera, taking over the slot vacated by Sacha Baron Cohen’s Ali G character.

They Won’t Get Their Minibus

His foul-mouthed location reports (actually just filmed against an obvious static backdrop) poked fun at famous people in the news, as in the above clip concerning Sir Ranulph Fiennes and his (failed) attempt to walk to the the North Pole. Later he’d also appear alongside the show’s main hosts to discuss events of the day.

Office Junior

Gervais’ second TV main appearance was in September 1999 in Golden Years where he played a video rental store owner who was obsessed with David Bowie.

The show, which he wrote with Stephen Merchant was part of Channel 4’s Comedy Lab series of pilot shows. Its documentary style is considered a prototype for The Office.

The 11 O’Clock Show

Channel 4’s The 11 O’Clock Show was a satirical late-night comedy hosted by Iain Lee and Daisy Donovan, featuring topical sketches and commentary on news events and ran between 1998 and 2000.

The show gave expose to as-then little-known comedians such as Sacha Baron Cohen (as Ali G), Jimmy Carr and Mackenzie Crook – who would appear a couple of years later as Gareth in The Office (he was also a long time friend of Iain Lee).

Iain Lee then worked as a radio DJ and now hosts a show on streaming platform Twitch, and Daisy Donovan is now a screenwriter.

A Blockbusting Fact

Stephen Merchant on Blockbusters — Stephen Merchant yesterday

Stephen Merchant’s first TV appearance was as a contestant on Blockbusters in 1997! Just a few months later he would join Gervais at XFM Radio. (I didn’t title this “I’ll Have a P Please Bob” because Michael Aspel was hosting at this point)