Ricky Gervais' HBO special set to air

CHICAGO, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- British comedian Ricky Gervais says he is playing a character in his new HBO standup special, ''Ricky Gervais: Out of England.''

Gervais, star and co-creator of "Extras" and the original British version of "The Office," told the Chicago Sun-Times the humor he employs in the special does not represent his real-life views, insisting he adopted a politically incorrect persona especially for the comedy special, which is set to air in the United States Saturday.

''A brash, ignorant and, I suppose, sort of firm right-winged bigot, but stupid,'' Gervais told the newspaper. ''He doesn't really understand what he's saying.''

Gervais said the character is similar to the cynical journalist he played on British TV's ''The 11 O'Clock Show.''

''It's from that, really. I think you have to be slightly larger than life,'' he said. ''I don't really do gags. It's quite anecdotal and flights of fancy. Obviously, I don't believe what I say, but I do it for comedy effect.''