Funny Video: Frequent Ricky Gervais collaborator Stephen Merchant makes his video game debut

If you're a fan of virtually anything that Ricky Gervais has done-- be it The Office, Extras, or The Ricky Gervais Show podcasts-- then you're probably also familiar with Stephen Merchant, Gervais' frequent collaborator and director of the British version of The Office.  Unbeknownst to us, Merchant has signed on to appear as a character in a video game, and it turns out it's one of next year's most highly-anticipated games.  See footage of Merchant's performance for yourselves below, my gentle Examiner readers...

Much like anything can be improved by the inclusion of the Dukes of Hazzard theme song, just about anything can be improved with the inclusion of Ricky Gervais or Stephen Merchant.  The comedy duo have spent the past decade providing audiences-- both Stateside and abroad-- with some of the most memorable comedies we're ever likely to see, so whenever one of them gets a new iron in the fire, we're going to take notice.  Case in point: Stephen Merchant signing on to star in a video game. 

And it's not just any video game: Merchant will appear as one of the major characters in the highly-anticipated Portal 2, from developer Valve.  The game is the sequel to the hugely successful Portal, which you could have played if you picked up The Orange Box for either the 360 or PS3, and is apparently far more intricate and involved than that game was (which is saying something).  Valve's always been known for their sense of humor, and it appears that they wanted someone with extensive comedic talent to take on the role of Wheatley--a friendly (or is he?!) robot that accompanies you throughout the majority of Portal 2.

Portal 2 picks up right after the events of Portal, and finds you attempting to escape from the Arpeture Labs that the first game took place in.  Along the way, you'll be thwarted by GLaDOS, the evil computer that did her best to kill you in the original, but you'll have Wheatley-- a kind of robotic butler and travel guide-- to help steer you around her best attempts to smite you.  From the looks of the video below, Wheatley will be a welcome addition to Portal's puzzle-solving world.

As expected, this five minute-clip will make you even more jazzed to get your hands on a copy of Portal 2.  Check out the detail and lovingly-crafted scenery here, but pay even more attention to Merchant's work as Wheatley: I can't recall ever having picked up a game based solely on the inclusion of a comedic genius' involvement and performance in the game, but I suppose there's a first time for everything.  As the video game nerds of the world say: "Day One", which in this case is sometime in February 2011.  Check it out, folks: