Ricky Gervais is one of the most popular comedians in the world, and his live shows are highly anticipated events that draw huge crowds. When Gervais announces a tour or residency in a major city like New York, fans immediately want to know details like show times, set length, and ticket availability. Specifically, many fans are curious about the length of Gervais’ NYC shows – how long is the average Ricky Gervais show in New York City?
Typical Length of a Ricky Gervais Stand-Up Show
For his typical stand-up comedy tours, Ricky Gervais’ live shows tend to run between 1.5 to 2 hours on average. This includes a 15-20 minute intermission in the middle. So audiences can expect to spend around 2 hours for the full, start-to-finish experience of a Ricky Gervais stand-up show.
Some key factors determine the exact length of a given Ricky Gervais show:
- Amount of Material – More recent tours feature all new material, which translates to a longer setlist. Older tours reusing bits results in shorter shows.
- City/Venue – Set times are sometimes adjusted based on the city or particular venue.
- Tour Leg – Earlier legs are often shorter as Gervais is still polishing material. Later legs tend to contain more content.
- Special Events – Holiday shows or special NYC events sometimes have slightly abbreviated set times.
But in general, within a particular tour the length of Ricky Gervais’ stand-up show remains fairly consistent from city to city. He aims to deliver the same show experience for fans regardless of location.
Length of Past NYC Performances
Looking back at some of Ricky Gervais’ past tours gives a good indication of the typical show length fans can expect when he visits New York City.
Animals Tour (2003)
- Runtime: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
- Setlist: 12 songs, no intermission
- Venue: Town Hall, New York NY
Politics Tour (2004)
- Runtime: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
- Setlist: 14 songs, no intermission
- Venue: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Fame Tour (2007)
- Runtime: Approximately 2 hours
- Setlist: 20 songs, 15 minute intermission
- Venue: Town Hall, New York NY
As we can see, over the years Ricky Gervais’ NYC shows have gradually increased in length along with the expansion of his material and popularity. But even a decade ago, his shows were consistently clocking in around 1 hour 45 minutes or longer. Recent tours are likely to meet or exceed that timeframe when he performs in New York City venues.
What to Expect from Upcoming NYC Performances
Looking ahead, what can fans expect when Ricky Gervais brings his newest tour to New York City in the next few years?
Armageddon Tour
Ricky Gervais’ next global stand up tour is called Armageddon, slated to begin in 2023. While no NYC dates have been announced yet, when Armageddon does arrive in New York fans can reasonably expect:
- Runtime: Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
- Setlist: 25 songs, 20 minute intermission
- Potential Venues: Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, Beacon Theatre
As a brand new show filled with fresh material, Armageddon will likely be Gervais’ longest stand-up performance in over a decade when it lands in NYC.
Beyond Armageddon
Looking even further ahead, it’s reasonable to predict that Ricky Gervais’ subsequent tours after Armageddon will continue pushing the boundaries of his act’s length. His sets continuously expand as his popularity grows. It would not be surprising for Gervais to eventually begin exceeding 2 hours 30 minutes for hisfuture NYC shows. For devoted Gervais fans, the longer the better!
How Length Compares to Other NYC Comedy Shows
How does the approximate 2 hour running time of a Ricky Gervais NYC show compare to other popular stand-up performances in New York City?
Comedian | Typical NYC Show Length |
---|---|
Jerry Seinfeld | 1 hour 30 minutes |
Kevin Hart | 1 hour 40 minutes |
Chris Rock | 1 hour 45 minutes |
Gabriel Iglesias | 1 hour 50 minutes |
Ricky Gervais | 2 hours |
Dave Chappelle | 2 hours 10 minutes |
Gervais is towards the higher end for NYC comedy show length, tied with the legendary Dave Chappelle. Both Gervais and Chappelle are renowned for their extensive catalogs of material – they have a lot of ground to cover in a single performance. Gervais in particular is known for putting tremendous detail and care into extended anecdotal stories, skewering hecklers, and extended audience interactions – all elements that prolong his sets compared to many peers.
How Gervais Show Length Compares to Average Comedy Show
Beyond just the top tier of star comedians, how does Ricky Gervais’ typical show length compare to the average comedy show?
Research indicates the typical club comedy show at famous NYC venues like Carolines on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, and Comedy Cellar runs approximately:
- 45-60 minutes for a newer comic
- 60-90 minutes for a more experienced headliner
So at 2 hours, Gervais’ shows are significantly longer than even seasoned club headliners. This demonstrates the scope and magnitude of a Ricky Gervais show compared to common comedy club performances.
For reference, here’s how Gervais compares:
Performer | Average Show Length |
---|---|
Newer Club Comic | 45-60 minutes |
Club Headliner | 60-90 minutes |
Ricky Gervais | 2 hours |
Ricky Gervais consistently defies comedy norms with his atypically long sets packed with material. His marathon performances are an anomaly compared to most club shows but the norm for a megastar on his level.
Factors Contributing to Gervais’ Extended Shows
Why are Ricky Gervais shows substantially longer than the average comedy performance? There are a few key factors at play:
Detail-Oriented Storytelling
Gervais extensively fleshes out stories, scenarios, and interactions, relishing the small details. His shows frequently contain long, winding tales featuring vivid imagery, dialogue, and tangents. This nuanced approach naturally extends his set length.
Minimal Repetition
Many comedians repeat material frequently between shows or tours. Gervais purposely avoids heavy repetition, consistently generating new material and rarely reusing large portions act to act. This provides more original content to fill time.
Ad-Libbing & Crowd Work
Ricky Gervais is renowned for his sharp ad-libbing skills and lengthy crowd interactions. He thrives off the cuff, often finding comedy in the moment. This improvisational style results in expanded show times.
Integrated Multimedia
Gervais incorporates multimedia elements like slideshows, videos, and audio segments throughout his shows. These additional non-stand up components contribute extra minutes to the runtime.
Combined together, all these factors enable Ricky Gervais to deliver substantially lengthier comedy performances than typical of the genre. The marathon shows are a key part of his appeal for devotees.
Typical Set Order & Structure
Ricky Gervais has developed a fairly standard set structure and order that he follows for his shows:
Opening Bit / Crowd Banter
Gervais takes the stage and opens with short jokes or commentary based on the specific location and audience. He uses this moment to get a vibe of the crowd.
Topical Material
Gervais addresses funny current events or pop culture moments. Being topical and culturally aware is important to him.
Warning to Audience
Gervais gives a disclaimer about potential offensive material, explains his intent is not to hurt, and encourages those sensitive to leave now.
Main Act Part 1
This makes up the bulk of the first 60-75 minutes. Gervais dives into his main prepared bits, stories, multimedia elements, andcrowd interactions.
Intermission
15-20 minute intermission to refresh and set up the second half.
Main Act Part 2
The remaining 60-75 minutes of Gervais’ principal material, including callbacks to the first half.
Improvised Segment
Gervais spends the last 10-15 minutes improvising jokes based on interactions with the specific audience.
Closing Bit
Gervais closes the show with a final prepared joke or callback as the finale.
This structured formula allows Gervais to seamlessly deliver his extensive prepared material along with customized improvised moments tailored to each show.
How Gervais Show Structure Compares to Other Comedians
Most notable comedians follow a similar standardized show structure, with some unique flourishes specific to their style. Here is how Gervais compares to other famous comedian’s show structures:
Comedian | Standard Show Structure |
---|---|
Jerry Seinfeld | Tight setlist of practiced jokes with minimal deviation |
Kevin Hart | High energy with constant audience interactions |
Chris Rock | More storytelling, jokes on society and culture |
Gabriel Iglesias | Heavy improvisation and crowd work |
Ricky Gervais | Long anecdotes and multimedia blended with improv |
Dave Chappelle | Loose feel with many rants/tangents |
Gervais strikes a balance between scripted anecdotes and custom interactions that uniquely defines his shows. The structure allows both his intricate writing and quick wit to shine through.
Tips for Getting the Most From a Ricky Gervais Show
To make the most of the experience from a 2+ hour Ricky Gervais comedy show in NYC, keep these tips in mind:
- Arrive early – don’t miss the opening crowd banter!
- Stay hydrated – drink water, the show is a marathon
- Minimize bathroom breaks – you don’t want to miss key moments
- Avoid front rows – Gervais often picks on front groups
- Laugh loud! – Ricky feeds off audience energy
- Research ahead – understand references to past material
- Appreciate the artistry – recognize the craft behind his storytelling
- Engage the experience – sing along, clap, be in the moment
Ricky Gervais shows are not just comedy – they are an immersive comedic experience. Understanding his style and persona allows audiences to better engage the uniquely entertaining experience.
Conclusion
Ricky Gervais typically delivers substantial 2+ hour comedy experiences when touring in major global cities like New York. His marathon performances stem from an extensive catalog of material, avoidance of heavy repetition, improvisational skills, and multimedia elements woven throughout the shows. The length of Gervais’ NYC shows is notably above average compared to most touring comedians and vastly exceeds the runtime of typical club sets. Gervais has developed a signature structure and rhythm to his shows, balancing his intricate storytelling with customized crowd interactions. With a new tour on the horizon, fans can anticipate Gervais’ longest and most ambitious NYC performances yet when he next takes the stage. If given the opportunity, devotees of Gervais’ particular brand of biting, uncompromising, no-holds-barred stand-up will find the lengthy shows well worth the time investment.