Gervais counters 'rip-off' backlash

US fans' anger over Extras DVD set

Ricky Gervais has been forced to issue a video message reassuring Extras fans that they won’t have to buy an expensive box set if they want the Christmas special on DVD.

American viewers reacted angrily when it appeared that the only way to get the feature-length special was to buy a $50 set also containing the first two series – which they had already bought separately

Fan David Fishman wrote on Amazon.com: ‘This is ridiculous. Why should I have to repurchase the two season sets to obtain the Christmas special / finale? That is one of the stupidest marketing ideas I have ever seen.’

Another viewer said: ‘I'm just angry at [US broadcaster] HBO for not releasing a separate version of the finale after I spent good money buying the first two sets. Shame on them!’

In his video message, below, Gervais said HBO’s decision to sell the show came ‘as a surprise to me as well’ – but he convinced them to change their stance.

‘I had a word with them and they are going to release it by itself now,’ he said. ‘We haven’t got a date yet, so stay tuned. Don’t buy the box set if you’ve already bought the first two series. Hold out and the finale will be available by itself.

‘Or hold out even longer and buy the English version where we’ll be putting on loads of extras and things – but that won’t be available for ages.’

In the video, Gervais also pointed out some of the differences between the US and UK versions of the Christmas special, after some of the more obsessive viewers had compared the two.