Science
Science is the fourth solo stand-up show by Ricky Gervais. It was filmed at the Hammersmith Apollo in London after beginning with an eleven date stint at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow.
Tour
The show ran on and off from August 2009 to September 2010. It was supported by Canadian comic Stewart Francis and featured an elaborate set reminiscent of Dr Frankenstein's laboratory. A video played before the opening of the show starring Louis C.K discussing Ricky's fondness for male ejaculate. Venues played include Wembley Arena, the Birmingham NIA and the Edinburgh Playhouse.
Themes
Ostensibly the theme of the show was 'Science' but took in subjects such as Noah's Ark, obesity, charity, the alertness of spiders, opposition to gay marriage and Susan Boyle. The show culminated with anecdotes about flying in a helicopter after 9/11 and an inappropriate joke told at a dinner party. One of the more controversial jokes saw Ricky recall a fictional drink-driving incident, where instead of running over an old lady he raped her instead. The set also featured a re-appropriation of a Karl Pilkington story from the first series of The Ricky Gervais Show about a family in Africa receiving a goat in lieu of a Christmas present.
Quotes
Reception
The show received mixed yet reasonably positive reviews. Steve Bennett of Chortle.co.uk called it "An entertaining hour and a bit, yes, but falling short of a memorable one", suggesting "Maybe Gervais is spreading himself just a little too thin". Stephanie Merritt in The Guardian said "...there are scattered examples of sharp, memorable lines but these contrast with a lack of imagination in the rest of the material." The Pilkipedia forum was generally positive towards the show, more so the delivery and performance of Ricky, with most complaints being about repetition or weakness of material. It was rated better than Fame, but lower than his first two stand-up efforts.