I really enjoy Ricky Gervais in the smaller stuff, like the TV series he did (enjoyed Office, loved Extras, currently enjoying Life's Too Short). But I seem to find that movies just aren't for him (at least in front of the camera? as supposedly Cemetery Junction was quite good). So he is more of a comedy creator than actor to me...? Hope I make sense.
But, maybe with the Muppets he won't be the center of attention and can be funny again.