Ricky Gervais doesn't understand Coldplay "backlash"
Published May 29 2012, 18:27 BST | By Paul Millar
Ricky Gervais has defended Coldplay against an apparent "backlash" among certain sections of the public.The Office comedian, a long-time fan of the 'Princess of China' indie band, believes it is impossible to criticise their desire to be successful.
© PA Images / Charles Sykes/AP
© PA Images
Speaking about "straight down the line" bands, he told Q magazine: "Coldplay. There's obviously a backlash against them."
While acknowledging that the Mylo Xyloto group are "not the coolest in the world", Gervais insisted that they should be praised for their worldwide acclaim.
The 50-year-old added: "When you meet them they're nice, funny, normal people who are trying to be excellent at something.
"You can only applaud that. You can dislike their stuff but you can only applaud that attitude, you know?"
Frontman Chris Martin made a cameo appearance as himself in the second series of Gervais's BBC Two sitcom Extras in 2006.
Watch Coldplay's 'Charlie Brown' music video below:
I dont like or hate coldplay but the over rated talentless thing in this report is ricky gervais hes about as funny as the mumps
May 30th 2012 at 8:24pm(+2 likes)
He likes Coldplay? What a ****.
May 30th 2012 at 8:04pm(+3 likes)
Coldplay suffer the same fate that seems to afflict any successful UK band once it becomes popular. It's always a shame. The NME based a whole philosophy on it some decades ago they may still do the same now. Build a band up then attempt to knock em down. Was always the case in the 70's & 80's and many of us readers went along with it at the time. I think it was a kind of power trip for them to try and show they could influence people. Sadly the whole ethos seems to have instilled itself into the British these days once we have a success we just love to then try and make it a failure or call it. What a strange nation of individuals we are really.
May 30th 2012 at 5:19pm(+1 like)
How the hell are Coldplay an 'indie' band? Once upon a time indie was an abbreviation of the word independant. Coldplay can only be labelled (if you need a label, and being a 'journalist you clearly do) as a pop band.
May 30th 2012 at 2:17am(+2 likes)
I think people see them as 'indie' because of their attitude rather than the label they are signed to. Activism and refusing multi-million pound endorsement deals are quite independent things to do. Having said that they did X Factor last year so commerciality is not something they shy away from these days it seems and if Diet Coke came calling again perhaps they'd sign....
May 30th 2012 at 6:21am
So Ricky's saying a backlash, in which people say things like "I dislike Coldplay's stuff", is wrong; but he's also saying "you can dislike their stuff"?
Right.
May 30th 2012 at 1:01am(+1 like)