Ricky Gervais has criticized the hour-long Season 7 finale of the American version of ‘The Office,’ writing on his blog that “If you’re going to jump a shark, jump a big one,” TVGuide is reporting. The actor, who created and starred in the original BBC version of the sitcom and executive produces the American adaptation, also expressed his distaste on how long Steve Carell’s version has been on the air.
The British comedian, who reprised his role of David Brent on the American ‘Office’ earlier this season, also wrote that he assumes “most people know I didn’t do the U.S. remake for the art. I did my version for the art,” pointing to the fact that the British ‘Office’ only aired 14 episodes, while the American version recently aired its 150th episode.
Gervais said the Season 7 finale reminded him of the Chris Martin episode of ‘Extras,’ in which a celebrity cameo is forced into the show. “I would never ever in a million years take a permanent role in the show as an actor,” he added.
A few hours after he posted the blog, Gervais said that he didn’t mean to insult the American ‘Office.’ “I simply said it’s different tot he original which I created and made with different ambitions,” he confirmed. Commenting on the multiple celebrity cameos, he said “I myself, did a fun but pointless, over-hyped cameo…I certainly wasn’t dissing anyone involved more than myself.”
Written by: Karen Benardello
