AP Talks to Ricky Gervais

AP writer Jill Lawless wrote a piece today on a BeansTalk favorite: Ricky Gervais. He's developing a second series of his sitcom, "Extras," has written an episode of the U.S. version of "The Office," appears in Christopher Guest's forthcoming ensemble movie, "For Your Consideration," and wrote and starred in an episode of his favorite show, "The Simpsons." His weekly podcast has just entered the Guinness Book of Records as the most-downloaded ever. He has an acclaimed standup show, and he's a best-selling children's author. Lawless interviewed him at his office and he talks about his latest project, "More Flanimals," his second kids' volume, published this month in the United States. A sequel to the best-selling "Flanimals," the book explores the cuddly, funny yet cruelly Darwinian world of sprot tumblers, splunges, clunge amblers and other colorfully named creatures. Their lives — described in the tone of a scientific field guide and the playfully absurdist vocabulary of Lewis Carroll or Edward Lear — are full of futility, senseless violence and death. Kids love it. "Flanimals" and its successor have sold almost 750,000 copies in Britain and inspired a range of CDs, T-shirts and collectibles. Lawless points out that The Guinness certificate hangs on Gervais' office wall, although he notes that podcasting is "so in its infancy it's rather like Alexander Graham Bell having the biggest phone bill that year." Ah, lucky Jill Lawless. http://www.rickygervais.com