Mentorn to Showcase New Comedy from Ricky Gervais & Stephen Merchant

LONDON: Life’s Too Short, the new comedy from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, has been added to Mentorn International’s catalogue, which also includes Crash Course and Full Throttle Saloon.

Mentorn picked up the new comedy from the BBC and United Agents. Life’s Too Short is the third in a trio of sitcoms from Merchant and Gervais, following The Office and Extras. The show stars Warwick Davis, a little person who runs an agency for actors of a similar height. The 7×30-minute series is written, directed and executive produced by Gervais and Merchant, who also co-star. Life’s Too Short is a BBC/HBO Production in association with Backlash Productions.

Mentorn International’s managing director, David Leach, said: “We’re delighted to be continuing our relationship with Ricky and Stephen. Life’s Too Short is another example of their incredible comedic talent and there is no doubt that this will be a global hit, following The Office and Extras.

He continued, “Mentorn International has had enormous worldwide success with An Idiot Abroad, Ricky and Stephen’s series with Karl Pilkington, and we’re very excited to be launching their latest series on an expectant world.”

Gervais said: “Third in our trilogy of TV sitcoms, Life’s Too Short is another naturalist observational comedy dealing with everyday problems, human foibles, and social faux pas…but with a dwarf.”

BBC’s head of in-house comedy, Mark Freeland, commented: “Life’s Too Short is all about a man facing everyday problems very, very badly indeed. Because the themes are universal, because Gervais and Merchant have of course written them so brilliantly, because Warwick Davis is such a star, I’m sure this is a show that will be loved by audiences in many territories.”

Following Tinopolis’ acquisition of U.S. production companies A. Smith & Co and BASE Productions, Mentorn has picked up the two U.S. series Full Throttle Saloon and Crash Course. Crash Course is an action competition, sold as a format as well as a finished series, produced by A. Smith & Co for ABC in the U.S. It pits five teams of drivers against obstacles that test their skills in unique ways. There are also three seasons of Full Throttle Saloon now for sale from Mentorn. Produced by A. Smith & Co, the factual series follows the characters at "the Mecca for Motorcycles," an action-packed biker bar.

Leach commented: “We’re delighted to be commencing our relationship with our new U.S. partners and representing their great programs and formats internationally. They are a perfect fit for our catalogue: Crash Course, featuring the best drivers attempting outrageous stunts, is the ideal companion to our Worst Driver format, and Full Throttle Saloon is a terrific hit series full of compelling characters, dramas and action, which will entertain viewers around the world.”