‘I do it for the money,’ jokes Ricky Gervais as he accepts NTA for Best Comedy
Comedian won award for Netflix show ‘After Life’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.“I’ll keep it short – it’s already interminable,” Ricky Gervais joked halfway through the two-and-a-half-hour long National Television Awards ceremony on Thursday night (9 September).
“I do [this] for the money… you’re the second reason,” he told the crowd, as he accepted the prize for Best Comedy for his Netflix series After Life.
Gervais beat off competition from Friday Night Dinner, Sex Education and The Vicar of Dibley to win the award.
The hit series stars Gervais as a man who contemplates suicide after his wife dies of breast cancer. Kerry Godliman plays his wife, Lisa, who appears in visions and flashbacks.
In a three-star review of season two, The Independent’s critic Ed Cumming wrote: “Ricky Gervais can do so much better than this bafflingly popular mess.”
Other big wins of the night saw Line of Duty take home the prize for Best Returning Drama – with one of its stars doing a wonderful victory dance – and I’m a Celebrity and The Great British Bake Off were also triumphant.
The 26th NTAs, the only major TV awards voted for by the public, were hosted at London’s O2 arena and presented by Joel Dommett.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments