A small matter

BBC2 orders Gervais's comedy about 3ft 6in actor

BBC Two has picked up the pilot episode of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s new comedy, Life’s Too Short, starring 3ft 6in actor Warwick Davis.

The corporation made the announcement the day after Gervais dropped hints that the show was up for grabs in an interview in the Radio Times.

‘They can bid for it,’ Gervais told the magazine. ‘Yes, it is for the BBC. At the moment.’

It seems they did indeed bit for it as BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow and comedy commissioner Cheryl Taylor, revealed the news that they have commissioned the one-off half-hour show.

Not much is known about the observational comedy about the actor, who has appeared in Star Wars, Willow and Harry Potter, although the BBC said it was ‘optimistic’ and ‘warm’. Gervais and Merchant will have cameo roles.

Gervais, who previously hired Davis for an episode of Extras, said: ‘We're having so much fun working with Warwick. Pound for pound he is one of the funniest men I know.’

Hadlow added: ‘I'm very excited to see the return of Ricky and Stephen to BBC Two, but also to welcome Warwick Davis, a great talent, to the channel. Experimenting with innovative, broad appeal comedy projects are an important part of BBC Two's plans for the future.

The pilot will be produced by Charlie Hanson with Michelle Farr.

Gervais said it was a non-broadcast pilot that would only be screened if the full series was commissioned.

Here is Davis in Extras

Published: 21 Apr 2010

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