The BBC have commissioned a six-part comedy from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, called Life's Too Short, based on a pilot they've already filmed starring renowned showbiz "little person" Warwick Davis (Willow, Harry Potter).
Ricky Gervais, co-writer/producer/director:
"Third in our trilogy of TV sitcoms, Life's Too Short is another naturalist observational comedy, dealing with everyday problems, human foibles and social faux pas... but with a dwarf."Warwick Davis:
"I am absolutely thrilled that the BBC has 'green-lit' the first series of Life's Too Short. For me, it is my dream acting job. I will be collaborating with the very best in the business -- the BBC, who produce the finest television in the world, and Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, who are without doubt the best comedy writer/directors there are (they've won a couple of awards!)"Mark Freeland, Head of BBC in-house Comedy:
"Warwick Davis has done it all -- blockbuster movies, books... but never starred in a comedy series on BBC Two, written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. But that's about to change and it's incredibly exciting."Filming is scheduled to begin in 2011.
What are your thoughts on this project? Do you think Warwick Davis's life and struggles as a dwarf will equal comedy gold? Does it smack of being a rather feeble idea? I assume there'll be more warmth and heart than simply poking fun at Davis's diminutive height. Will it underperform because Gervais/Merchant aren't in lead roles, as their debut movie Cemetery Junction did?
