COMEDY SERIES "Hello Ladies" 
 WHEN | WHERE Premieres Sunday night at 10:30 on HBO 
 REASON TO WATCH Ricky Gervais' longtime comedy partner strides out on his own. 
 WHAT IT'S ABOUT Stephen Merchant co-created the UK's original "The Office" and "Extras," so he knows overreaching ego, awkward efforts and bruised dignity. Now this British beanpole -- Gervais' on-screen sidekick in "Extras" and "An Idiot Abroad" -- makes himself the center of attention/humiliation, playing an immigrant Los Angeles Web developer trying to ingratiate himself with Hollywood's beautiful people. 
 It's not going well. Launching small talk with hot chicks in cool bars, Merchant's hapless Stuart is prone to discuss "the suicide capital of America" when he isn't chiding his miserably separated wingman Wade (Nate Torrence) that there's "no need to bring up abortion." At least Stuart's female housemate Jessica (Christine Woods) can get lucky, even if it's with her use-'em agent/sleepmate. Formerly an actress, she now wants to make Web series, and surrounded by superficial pretty people, she yearns to be, well, something more. 
 Three lost souls, see how they run. 
 MY SAY "Hello Ladies" is awfully obvious, shooting phony fish in the Hollywood barrel. And the show mirrors its protagonist, trying entirely too hard. Wingman Wade doesn't just chitchat with club chicks about his wife, he pulls out a laptop to show photos. (How did mopey dumped men become such a drippy fall-season trope?) In next week's episode, Jessica wants to transform girls' night out with her model/actress friends into "a salon." So she holds movie night with the 1920s Russian silent-film tract "Battleship Potemkin." 
 Merchant is a likable presence, but he comes off here as Gervais-lite, unable to match his mate's mastery at playing oblivious buffoon. We've seen this show before, in fresher settings, with stronger comic structure -- from, in fact, the same creators: Merchant and American "Office" writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky. 
 BOTTOM LINE No thanks, gentlemen. 
 GRADE C

COMEDY SERIES "Hello Ladies" WHEN | WHERE Premieres Sunday night at 10:30 on HBO REASON TO WATCH Ricky Gervais' longtime comedy partner strides out on his own. WHAT IT'S ABOUT Stephen Merchant co-created the UK's original "The Office" and "Extras," so he knows overreaching ego, awkward efforts and bruised dignity. Now this British beanpole -- Gervais' on-screen sidekick in "Extras" and "An Idiot Abroad" -- makes himself the center of attention/humiliation, playing an immigrant Los Angeles Web developer trying to ingratiate himself with Hollywood's beautiful people. It's not going well. Launching small talk with hot chicks in cool bars, Merchant's hapless Stuart is prone to discuss "the suicide capital of America" when he isn't chiding his miserably separated wingman Wade (Nate Torrence) that there's "no need to bring up abortion." At least Stuart's female housemate Jessica (Christine Woods) can get lucky, even if it's with her use-'em agent/sleepmate. Formerly an actress, she now wants to make Web series, and surrounded by superficial pretty people, she yearns to be, well, something more. Three lost souls, see how they run. MY SAY "Hello Ladies" is awfully obvious, shooting phony fish in the Hollywood barrel. And the show mirrors its protagonist, trying entirely too hard. Wingman Wade doesn't just chitchat with club chicks about his wife, he pulls out a laptop to show photos. (How did mopey dumped men become such a drippy fall-season trope?) In next week's episode, Jessica wants to transform girls' night out with her model/actress friends into "a salon." So she holds movie night with the 1920s Russian silent-film tract "Battleship Potemkin." Merchant is a likable presence, but he comes off here as Gervais-lite, unable to match his mate's mastery at playing oblivious buffoon. We've seen this show before, in fresher settings, with stronger comic structure -- from, in fact, the same creators: Merchant and American "Office" writers Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky. BOTTOM LINE No thanks, gentlemen. GRADE C

Entertainment

ETHELL28.WEB

'Hello Ladies' review: He's wild and crazy

Newsday

hello ladies cropped

Entertainment trending

Take our quizzes

50 best LI movies

AI's effect on entertainment

Jones Beach summer 2026 concerts

Most Popular

Entertainment Rail Module

The radio comic is starring as Hercule Poirot at Manes Studio Theatre in Lindenhurst.

Rob Bartlett is on the case in 'Murder on the Orient Express'

The country superstar performed at Nassau Coliseum and helped get books to Wyandanch kids.

Dolly Parton's impact on LI

The country superstar performed at Nassau Coliseum and helped get books to Wyandanch kids. Newsday film critic Rafer Guzmán has more.

Remembering Dolly Parton

The drama dealing with Sylvester Stallone's early career will be shown Oct. 2.

'I Play Rocky' to kick off Hamptons film festival

Dolly Parton, iconic songwriter, singer and actor, has died at 80

Billy Joel's 1971 interview plus films on Kenny Loggins and Ann Wilson set for Sept. 25-27.

The docs are in for LI Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame fest

Sign up for Newsday's Entertainment newsletter

Entertainment newsletter widget

"Big Stein has an eggplant calzone on his mind!" Thursday night at the Stadium.

George Costanza calzone bobblehead is on the menu at Yankee Stadium this Thursday

More Entertainment

Entertainment Article Bottom Module

And who could forget two other legendary announcers, Johnny Olson and Don Pardo?

This is Johnny Gilbert, the voice of 'Jeopardy!'

Meet Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise and Michael Horse from David Lynch's cult series on Sept. 20.

The Suffolk to host stars from 'Twin Peaks'

The venerable game show is more popular than ever with four spinoffs going strong.

Too much of a good thing? 'Jeopardy' spinoffs put the show in overdrive.

Friends and colleagues gathered at Volpe Ristorante in Woodbury to pay tribute.

'Sopranos' star Vincent Pastore goes out on a high note

Friends and colleagues gathered at Volpe Ristorante in Woodbury to honor the late 'Sopranos' star. NewsdayTV's Macy Egeland has more.

'He was a dear friend'

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa heads to Mastic Seafood to slice some fish and shuck some oysters on this week's LI Works.

LI Works: Shucking oysters and hauling fish at a local seafood market

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits the Jamesport Farm Brewery, which has been recently purchased by the owners of Waterdrinker Farms.

Out East: Jamesport Farm Brewery

The multi-billion project to improve the flow of energy to and from Long Island is facing pushback from some groups who say the health of Hempstead Harbor is at stake. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Underwater cable project to Long Island raises environmental concerns

On Thursday an "accidental electrical fire" damaged several areas of the historic Milleridge Inn's main property.

'Accidental electrical fire' damages Milleridge Inn

Cleaning crews were hard at work after a tornado ripped through the Sun and Surf Beach Club in Atlantic Beach Thursday evening. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'It was just a whistling sound that came right through'

Jones Beach Theatre concertgoers were hit by a massive storm Thursday night, causing the show to be delayed. Some attendees thought the concert should have been canceled. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

Wild weather raises concert safety concerns at Jones Beach 

Newsday travel reporter Carissa Kellman learns about renting and driving a skiff boat at Ted's Fishing Station in Point Lookout.

Cruise Long Island's shoreline on your own private boat

Since girls flag football became an official sport in New York high schools in the spring of 2023, participation in the sport has increased nearly 70%, NewsdayTV's Jared Valluzzi reports.

Flag football taking over spring sports

Bonsai tree-making classes, trivia nights, mocktails and private events are among the ways local venues are trying to draw customers. Newsday business reporter Tory Parrish has more.

As Americans drink less, Long Island bars and breweries get creative 

Ken Buffa stopped by La Cucina Paisanos in Farmingville to try their "pull apart soul-bowls," which are bread bowls stuffed with pasta.

Trendy Bites: Get stuffed with these Italian 'soul-bowls'

Sitewide Video Playlist

President and CEO of Nassau University Medical Center Thomas Stokes explains the problems caused by the aging infrastructure within the hospital. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

'You could have a catastrophic failure'

During a tour of the public hospital's campus, CEO Thomas Stokes said upgrades to aging infrastructure would cost "hundreds of millions of dollars." But there aren't yet plans to replace it. Newsday Associate Editor Joye Brown reports.

'It would cost hundreds of millions of dollars'

Nassau is one of two counties in the state that have refused to come into line with the law. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'Likely that the issue will wind up in court'

This morning, Long Islanders were able to see the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Here was the view from Bethpage.

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket seen over Bethpage

At least three of the guns had the serial number filed off, and at least one was a manufactured ghost gun, officials said. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn has more.

'Nobody has this amount of guns in their home if they're not selling'

Mandates could include requiring new systems when old septic tanks fail or when houses are sold. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'There's no harm in reaching out to the county'

The "flip-flop" comes days after Newsday revealed the findings and raises questions about enforcement of fair housing laws. Newsday investigative reporter Josh Solomon has the story.

'I have never seen anything this egregious'

Hockey fans flocked to The Rinx in Hauppauge to see Sound Beach native and Stanley Cup champion Brandon Bussi of the Carolina Hurricanes. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

Bussi brings Cup to LI for 'unforgettable experience'

An overturned tanker truck spilled fuel on Rockaway Turnpike in Meadowmere on Wednesday.

Busy roadway closed after tanker overturns

Long Island is home to 13 of the top 50 high schools in the state, according to a new U.S. News & World Report ranking. NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn reports.

High schools that made the list, and one that dropped

Community and faith leaders gathered with Suffolk County officials to decry the vandalism as police continue their investigation. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed has more.

'Religious hate is not going to be accepted'

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

TV - megaslot

Newsday TV critic Verne Gay reviews new TV shows and series from Netflix, Max, Hulu and more. Plus, what Long Island actors are working on and Long Island filming locations.

'Hello Ladies' review: He's wild and crazy

Most Popular

Top Stories

Stay logged in.