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Two other episodes filmed that year featuring John Cleese and Matt Groening remain unreleased.
So buckle up for a wild ride, grit your teeth, and watch asRicky Gervais Meets Garry Shandling.
(If youre not familiar, grab the link to see a picture of the character.
Itll come in handy later.)
Suddenly the man of the hour appears, carrying his keys and wearing sunglasses.
Immediately Gervais is on his heels, nervous and concerned that hes offended his guest/host.
When Shandling begins to put his contacts in, right there in the kitchen, Gervais is shocked.
Dont do it over the sink!
What if it goes down the plug hole?
Shandlings head slowly turns up to meet Gervaiss.
What are you, controlling?
he says, and gives him a look that would have made lesser men burst into tears.
Tambor nods his head, grinning.
Ricky [has] this series of eyes that was going Where am I?
Shandling, instead, just watches him leave.
Gervais makes it into the next room, realizes hes alone, and laughs his trademark cackle.
Shandling asks, Where is your sense of whats going on?
You just kept walking.
I wasnt behind you.
Why dont we take a moment and let Shandling explainhisperspective on what happened with this incredibly awkward introduction.
Inan interview withGQin 2010, Shandling discussed the Gervais interview and was apparently quite relieved to do so.
I was trying to pull Ricky into the moment.
Things go a little smoother once Shandling and Gervais make it out to the garden.
it’s possible for you to see Gervais relax.
Gervais realizes before he even completes his thought that this was an awful move.
Shandling does not laugh.
Gervais laments, I cant show him that … Hes going to be so insulted.
says the crew member, walking away from the condemned man.
Shandling returns with a stack of jackets and Gervais puts one on.
Gervais points out Bingo on the page and Shandling stares for a moment before deadpanning, Oh!
Im sorry, I thought it was an insult.
Gervais has been given a stay of execution.
Gervais brings up his recent interview with Larry David, who described Jewish humor as a lot of complaining.
He then stands up from his chair and looks down at Gervais.
Thats the feeling I get.
I get the feeling that youre not comfortable around Jewish people.
Gervais looks up and asks, Are you Jewish?
Good one on you, Shandling responds as Gervais laughs.
Are you happy now?
Yeah, Gervais says.
Gervais laughs once again.
InThe Zen Diaries, Apatow recounts the way Shandling described this encounter with Gervais.
Gervais eagerly wants to facilitate this for Shandling but doesnt understand.
He touches Shandlings arm and says, almost frantically, What do you mean?
Tell me what you mean.
No, no, I dont What do you want me to do?
Were taking a break, Shandling says.
Shandling is basically trying to meditate with Gervais and exist in the moment.
Are you saying you want to take a break?
No, Shandling responds, then stands in silence for eight seconds before Gervais jumps back in.
Ive got to be honest, I cant not think.
I see it in your work.
Its valuable in your work.
Do you know how valuablenotthinking is in your work?
Gervais doesnt know what to say.
Shandling responds, You want to know what the world is about?
No one knows what to think.
If we could just embrace not knowing for a second, we might have a chance.
Its all right not to know … Just calm down a minute.
I give you permission to not know.
Only from there can come answers.
He was implementing the Socratic method in what was supposed to be a fluffy interview.
Somewhere down the line, Shandling and Gervais hashed all this out.
He paused and searched for the right words.
The only difference is, once the credits roll on this show, everybody stays in character.
Or, at the very least, dont rely on producers to communicate your schedule.
