Ricky Gervais on ‘Office’ Finale: ‘If You’re Going to Jump a Shark, Jump a Big One’

Series co-creator says he would never join NBC show

Thursday night's season finale of "The Office" might have been a hit with viewers, but Ricky Gervais sounds less than enthusiastic about the star-studded season ender.

Despite the fact that he co-created the series. And appeared on Thursday's finale.

Also read: Catherine Tate: Meet Steve Carell's Potential "Office" Replacement

Gervais, who's not particularly known for holding his tongue (ask any number of attendees at this year's Golden Globes ceremony), fired off a missive on his blog Friday to reflect on last night's season closer, which included cameos by Jim Carrey, James Spader, billionaire Warren Buffett and, yes, Ricky Gervais. And his verdict was none too kind.

"Watching 'The Office' finale may remind some of the Chris Martin episode of 'Extras,'" he wrote, referring to an episode in which the Coldplay singer made an awkward and largely unnecessary cameo. He added: "It's only Warren Buffett…….. What are you doing in a paper merchant's in Scranton? It's mental."

Gervais then twisted the knife, offering a backhanded bright side to last night's finale: "If you're going to jump a shark, jump a big one."

The actor, who created and starred in the British, original version of the series, went on to offer his take on the American one. Though he's "very proud of the U.S. version," Gervais suggested his heart hasn't entirely been in the endeavor.

"I assume most people know I didn't do the US remake for the art. I did my version for the art. That's why I stopped it after a few hours of telly," Gervais reflected. "I did it for different reasons, ambitions and with slightly different emotional attachments to the project."

And just in case anyone was still left wondering, no: Gervais is definitely not interested in replacing Steve Carell.

"I would never ever in a million years take a permanent role in the show as an actor. It really would be f—ing mental. You don't start a company to work on reception."

Ouch! And people thought Michael Scott was responsible for some awkward exchanges.

 


 

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