RICKY GERVAIS: OUT OF ENGLAND 2 - THE STAND-UP SPECIAL, FEATURING THE SUPERSTAR IN HIS SECOND HBO STAND-UP SPECIAL, DEBUTS DEC. 18

An HBO favorite returns to the network for his second American TV stand-up special when RICKY GERVAIS: OUT OF ENGLAND 2 - THE STAND-UP SPECIAL, showcasing his signature humor and high-spirited, offbeat observations, debuts SATURDAY, DEC. 18 (10:00-11:15 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

Other HBO playdates: Dec. 23 (10:00 p.m.), 26 (3:45 a.m.) and 30 (1:00 a.m.), and Jan. 3 (10:00 p.m.), 7 (11:00 p.m.), 12 (11:50 p.m.) and 24 (11:30 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Dec. 19 (10:30 p.m.), 22 (1:55 a.m.) and 28 (12:40 a.m.), and Jan. 15 (3:05 a.m.)

Taped before a live audience at the Chicago Theatre in Oct. 2010, the special includes Gervais' unique, and often politically incorrect, insights on a variety of issues, including: acts of God, the recession, heroin, famine in Africa, animal homosexuality and Noah's Ark.

Gervais' other HBO projects include the series "The Ricky Gervais Show" and "Extras," which brought him an Emmy(R) for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series, and the Emmy(R)-nominated 2008 special "Ricky Gervais: Out of England - The Stand-Up Special."

Gervais is also a co-creator of the Golden Globe-, Emmy(R)- and BAFTA- winning series "The Office," which is shown in more than 100 countries and has been remade in seven. "The Office" continues to be the most successful British comedy of all time.

Gervais' film credits as an actor include "Cemetery Junction" and "The Invention of Lying" (both of which he also wrote and directed), plus "Ghost Town," the "Night at the Museum" movies and "For Your Consideration." Gervais is the only British actor to write and star in "The Simpsons."

Last January, Gervais became the first master of ceremonies to host the Golden Globes since 1995 and will return as host in 2011. He was subsequently named to Time magazine's list of The World's Most Influential People, and more recently received the Sir Peter Ustinov Award for Comedy at the 2010 Banff World Television Festival.

RICKY GERVAIS: OUT OF ENGLAND 2 - THE STAND-UP SPECIAL is written and executive produced by Ricky Gervais; producers, Pat Tourk Lee and John Moffitt; directed by John Moffitt.