Perhaps the degree to which one enjoys or dislikes this particular programme depends greatly on what he or she expects from the interview format. The simple fact is that Ricky Gervais is not a skilled interviewer and Garry Shandling is not a skilled interviewee. As others have noted here, they both come off extremely uncomfortable and awkward. Gervais is obviously hindered by the fact that he idolizes Shandling, and, as a result, at times tries too hard to connect with Shandling and to make Shandling laugh.
It is not until the last 15 minutes or so that Gervais calms down and actual conducts a proper interview. Shandling, likewise, seems extremely ill-at-ease with the entire idea of sharing himself with the public, and one can only wonder why he agreed to do the show in the first place -- though, it is clear that Shandling admires Gervais and thinks very highly of "The Office" and "Extras".
(Having seen Shandling interviewed by the dreadful Charlie Rose -- an interview that made this one seem positively free-flowing -- one can see that Shandling just doesn't seem comfortable being interviewed, period. The best interview I have ever seen of Shandling was the one conducted by Washington Post TV critic, Tom Shales, and is an extra on the DVD of the first season of "The Larry Sanders Show"; but even still, Shandling still comes off as uncomfortable talking about himself and his creations.)
Nevertheless, this programme is still worth watching, just so long as you are not too rigid in your perception of how structured an interview should be and how cogent and forthright the interviewee should be fielding the questions. Gervais and Shandling have created two of the greatest comedies ever to be broadcast, namely "The Office" and "The Larry Sanders Show" -- programmes which share a similar tone and style, in that they both explore human frailties and their primary characters, Gervais' David Brent and Shandling's Larry Sanders, are, at times, obtuse people who have a deep-seated need to be loved and respected. If we are to assume that the characters are psychological manifestations of their creators, than the interview takes on a much more interesting and illuminating dynamic.
It is not until the last 15 minutes or so that Gervais calms down and actual conducts a proper interview. Shandling, likewise, seems extremely ill-at-ease with the entire idea of sharing himself with the public, and one can only wonder why he agreed to do the show in the first place -- though, it is clear that Shandling admires Gervais and thinks very highly of "The Office" and "Extras".
(Having seen Shandling interviewed by the dreadful Charlie Rose -- an interview that made this one seem positively free-flowing -- one can see that Shandling just doesn't seem comfortable being interviewed, period. The best interview I have ever seen of Shandling was the one conducted by Washington Post TV critic, Tom Shales, and is an extra on the DVD of the first season of "The Larry Sanders Show"; but even still, Shandling still comes off as uncomfortable talking about himself and his creations.)
Nevertheless, this programme is still worth watching, just so long as you are not too rigid in your perception of how structured an interview should be and how cogent and forthright the interviewee should be fielding the questions. Gervais and Shandling have created two of the greatest comedies ever to be broadcast, namely "The Office" and "The Larry Sanders Show" -- programmes which share a similar tone and style, in that they both explore human frailties and their primary characters, Gervais' David Brent and Shandling's Larry Sanders, are, at times, obtuse people who have a deep-seated need to be loved and respected. If we are to assume that the characters are psychological manifestations of their creators, than the interview takes on a much more interesting and illuminating dynamic.
