I was among the few who enjoyed Ricky Gervais’ “Life’s Too Short,” the Ricky Gervais series about a fictional Warwick Davis that drew the humor of dwarves from a different source: the reaction to them.
The comedy about Warwick Davis himself (or the character they create of him) is that he was vain, greedy for roles, and too big for his tiny britches. Davis was terrific in it while Gervais and Stephen Merchant just appeared in it briefly as friends who don’t really help him all that much try and create a show business career.
It faded away after one season, but is suddenly back with a one-shot “special.” Such extra episodes are common in the UK, where this was a co-production. Indeed, such a coda to Gervais’ other HBO series, “Extras,” kicked that show to a higher level.
Like it — and Gervais’ series ending Christmas episode of “The Office” — the “Life’s Too Short Special” that debuted this weekend was extended and had enough serious moments to comment bluntly on the nature of show business and fame.
In this case, Davis, who swears he’s a reformed character from the jerk he was for most of the series, becomes manager for a trio of old UK stars including Shaun Williamson of “East Enders,” who he gets back together on the club circuit first and then to TV. That they are completely unknown to U.S. audiences kind of wrecks the comedy. (If it were set in L.A., it’d be Regis Philbin, Wink Martindale and the guy who played Fish).
The main story line though involves the return of Val Kilmer with the proposition that they remake Davis’ biggest hit movie they were in together, “Willow.” Davis needs to raise money for development, though, which involves the usual self-effacement and embarrassment.
It’s easy to forget how many great parts there were to “Life’s Too Short.” In addition to Davis and the appearances of Gervais and Merchant, Rosamund Hanson was great as his dim assistant; Steve Brody just right as his inept accountant.
Still, it’s not a great episode, as these series-ending specials have been – or even the best episode of the series. But it’s good to have it back at least for one night.