Gervais hasn’t done anything remotely funny since Extras. That was what, 2005?
At this point, it’s pretty clear that in order for Gervais to be successful for a tv series, he needs Stephen Marchant around as a co-writer. It seems Gervais’ writing is pretty one note. With Merchant, he had someone who obviously leveled him out, brought some humanity and humour. Otherwise, it’s just the same old character. “I’m think I know better than everyone else, therefore everyone else is wrong, and I’m right.” I’ve noticed that this is how he carries himself IRL as well, which is one (if not the) most unlikeble quality in a person.