• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Stewart Lee says Ricky Gervais' Netflix series After Life is 'one of the worst things ever made by a human'

Home> Entertainment

Published 14:58 10 Sep 2022 GMT+1

Stewart Lee says Ricky Gervais' Netflix series After Life is 'one of the worst things ever made by a human'

Stewart Lee appeared on Rob Brydon’s podcast Brydon &, where he discussed the work of fellow comedian Ricky Gervais

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Stewart Lee has said Ricky Gervais’ hit Netflix series After Life is ‘one of the worst things ever made by a human’, having discussed his fellow comedian’s move from humour into drama in a new interview. 

Lee, who is known for his deadpan style appeared on Rob Brydon’s podcast Brydon &, where he praised Gervais’ previous work with The Office before going on to say that he felt After Life was ‘abysmal’. 

The Netflix programme, which follows local news reporter Tony (Gervais) as he struggles to come to terms with his wife’s death, concluded earlier this year after three series. 

While the show has many fans among Netflix viewers, it seems Lee isn’t so keen. 

Advert

“I think The Office is brilliant,” he told Brydon. 

“I think Ricky’s comedy drama work is of diminishing returns to the point where it’s now abysmal. I think it must be very sad. 

Stewart Lee.
Matt Crossick/Alamy Stock Photo

“If you’re teaching drama or creative writing, how can you make a case for the things that make drama and creative writing good when After Life is a success? Because your kids could just go, ‘But none of those things happen in this!’ And yet, millions people watch it. 

“I think it’s one of the worst things that’s ever been made by a human.” 

Advert

When Brydon pointed out that Gervais has previously named Lee as one of his biggest comedic influences, the podcast guest replied dryly: “Well, I don’t suppose Robert Oppenheimer felt great about having created the atomic bomb.” 

After Life came to an end with its third and final season in January.

In an interview with LADbible at the time, Gervais was asked whether he ever had any intention of ending the show with Tony and Emma (Ashley Jensen) getting together.

There were numerous reasons why he didn't want Tony and Emma to get together.
Netflix

"No, I didn't want that for lots of reasons," he replied.

Advert

"I think it would be too obvious. I think it would undermine all the things that we saw him and Lisa go through, in a way.

"I wanted him to be satisfied with his life, that's what I wanted. I also had no intention of a terrible ending for a few reasons, but I wanted it to be real and satisfying, but not perfect, not chocolate box.

"Even the relationship with Lisa, I didn't want it to be a coffee advert. I wanted it to be goofy and drunk and fun.

"They were friends and soulmates, and they had the best life."

He continued: "It is about finding something from beginning to end. One - it's a love story. But two, it asks the big question - when you lose everything is life still worth living?

Advert

"Again, without spoilers, I say yes."

Featured Image Credit: Soho Theatre/PA Images/Alamy

Topics: Celebrity, Ricky Gervais

Jess Hardiman
Jess Hardiman

Jess is Entertainment Desk Lead at LADbible Group. She graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

X

@Jess_Hardiman

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Woman who partied with Noel in the 90s reveals what the Oasis brother is really like

    She says things changed around 1997

    Entertainment
  • 8 hours ago

    Lad with Oasis ticket reveals hilarious way he's going to wind up 'proper fans' at the gig

    This will really drive long-time fans wild

    Entertainment
  • 8 hours ago

    Black Sabbath fans shocked as Game of Thrones legend Jason Momoa joins moshing crowd at final gig

    He was specially recruited to be the compère at Villa Park, Birmingham, this weekend

    Entertainment
  • 8 hours ago

    Fans divided over 'terrible' Oasis show as first gig revellers complain 'they just play song after song'

    Probably tweets you wouldn't want to tag Liam in...

    Entertainment
  • Ricky Gervais could ‘owe Karl Pilkington an apology’ after findings from a recent study
  • Ricky Gervais reveals the brutal jokes he would have said if hosting 2025 Golden Globes
  • Ricky Gervais ironically explains why he only wears black t-shirts despite being able to afford anything he wants
  • Ricky Gervais made brutal joke towards Johnny Depp that even he admitted he ‘felt bad about’