I've had a hard time deciding whether I dislike Gervais over how irritating he is as a person, or if he over extends himself with stand-up. He's like someone who's been promoted past his ability. The Office and Extra's are so great and eternally re-watchable, but when ever I watch some extra on the dvds, all I can think about is how much I would hate to work with him. (That poor editor.) His podcast was funny enough, but when he started charging for it, I didn't think it was so great that I was even going to continue with it in the first place.
I don't see what the big deal is with his stand-up, followed up by op-eds where he writes as the world's foremost atheist. He's starting to occupy a smug Bill Mahar place in my head where he likes to preach to the converted.