Ricky Gervais

Jerry Sadowitz: his dark materials

Think Ricky Gervais and Frankie Boyle are offensive? Then you won't have the stomach for standup Jerry Sadowitz. Their vitriol is fake, he says: his is the real deal.

Ricky Gervais and Johnny Depp make up on Graham Norton

Johnny Depp and Ricky Gervais have appeared together on The Graham Norton Show as the latter promotes his new sitcom, Life's Too Short, proving that the pair bear no grudges towards each other.

You suspect Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and BBC2 are getting their defence in first with this "making of" doc, screened before the start on Thursday of their new comedy series, Life's Too Short, starring dwarf actor Warwick Davis.

Gervais insists they aren't making fun of small people, though the Davis character has "a small man complex". Celebrity guests doing Extras-type cameos - Johnny Depp, Liam Neeson and Helena Bonham Carter - tell us why they wanted to take part.

The reliably entertaining series becomes a must-see tonight as Hollywood sweetheart Carey Mulligan, comedians Ed Byrne and Ricky Gervais plonk themselves on Graham Norton's sofa.

Although between professional motormouths Ricky and Graham, we're not sure how much of a look in Carey and Ed are going to get. If they manage to utter more than a single sentence each, it will be to plug Carey's new movie, Shame, and... er, we're not sure why Ed Byrne is there.

It's certainly not to just make up the numbers, because there's another guest I forgot to mention - a certain Mr Johnny Depp (I know - major squeal alert!). Captain Jack Sparrow is there to look all dreamy. And yummy. And delicious. And... Sorry, I got a bit carried away there.

The Hollywood heartthrob is in town to talk about his new movie, The Rum Diary.

Music is from Snow Patrol.

Gervais: Laughing because Warwick's a liar, not a dwarf

An interview with Ricky Gervais about disability in comedy.

Now this sounds like a corking line-up for the Norton sofa: Johnny Depp, Ricky Gervais and stand-up comedian Ed Byrne. With music by Snow Patrol! The always courteous and charming Depp is in town to talk about his new film, The Rum Diary, based on a novel by gonzo novelist Hunter S Thompson about a freelance journalist having problems working on a local paper in 1950s Puerto Rico.

Gervais, meanwhile, who is currently in all kinds of trouble for being offensive and bad-mannered on Twitter (an unedifying spectacle) will doubtless be talking about his new BBC2 series, Life's Too Short, about a company of dwarves for hire. Snow Patrol sing their new single, This Isn't Everything You Are.

Richy Gervais sore of Springsteen vocals

Ricky Gervais is nursing a sore throat after trying to perfect an impersonation of Bruce Springsteen's gravelly vocals for an upcoming charity show.

Ricky Gervais: 'Bring on the haters'

In 10 years, the 'little fat bloke' from Reading has become a comedy god. But after the 'mong' row, and on the eve of his new TV show Life's Too Short, have we fallen out of love with Ricky Gervais?

Life's Too Short: watch an exclusive clip - video

Life's Too Short, a new comedy series written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, is a fake documentary starring real-life dwarf actor Warwick Davis as a fictional version of himself - fame obsessed and self-centred but always getting his comeuppance.

The chat show has become much devalued in recent times, but Norton is doing his best to rehabilitate the form with his lively and watchable show (toned down from his earlier days). Tonight he has an impressively A-list line up: Johnny Depp talking about his new film The Rum Diary; Oscar-nominated actress Carey Mulligan; Ricky Gervais chatting about Life's Too Short, his new dwarf-based comedy (yes, really); and comedian Ed Byrne. Snow Patrol provide the music.