Viewers turn to Springfield for Gervais
Viewers turn to Springfield for Gervais
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Tuesday, 25, Apr 2006 02:36
More than two million viewers tuned in to Sky One to watch the much-hyped episode of The Simpsons written by Ricky Gervais, figures released today have revealed.
The Office and Extras comedy genius penned the episode, titled Homer Simpson: This Is Your Wife, after receiving an invite from show guru Matt Groening.
He had admitted to being hugely nervous at having a chance to take on writing duties for the much-loved show but today's figures suggest that any fears Gervais had should be dispelled.
In total, 2.2 million TV sets were tuned to Sky One at 18:30 BST on Easter Sunday, which represents the cartoon's highest ever ratings for the channel.
The figure is also Sky One's second highest programme viewing figure of all-time and is more than double the average number of viewers who tune in for the channel's screening of new Simpsons episodes.
But despite the trend-smashing figures, the actual episode was received slightly less warmly by TV critics, many of whom alluded to Gervais' timeless Office humour being out of sync with the zany and sharp-witted comedy that has made The Simpons such a success.
Future collaborations between Gervais and Groening on The Simpons have not been mooted but an appearance for the Springfield creator in the next series of Extras could well be on the cards.