British Invitational Number 1: The Ricky Gervais Show

Wed Mar 1, 12:33 PM by

Since last December, I’ve spent the last half-hour of each Sunday night lying in bed, listening to my computer speakers with a big grin on my face. Why am I so content, you ask? Well, it’s not the joy of going back to work on Monday. No! The reason I am bound by hysterical fits of laughter is because I am consuming a weekly dose of The Ricky Gervais Show, the podcast led by Ricky Gervais but also starring Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington.

At this point you might be wondering who Ricky Gervais is, and to be honest, you should be ashamed. I mean, if you are wise enough to have discovered something so underground as launchcommit.com then you are probably aware that Gervais is the co-creator and star of The Office, the widely watched TV mockumentary taking place in a British workplace that has inspired US and French versions. In fact, being hip to this website, you should also know that Stephen Merchant is the other brain behind this genius comedy. The two have also recently created the less acclaimed but still funny Extras, a show you should watch if only to see the two interact as talent agent (Merchant) and aspiring actor (Gervais).

I could go on and on about the brilliance of this duo, but my point really is that the two of them collaborating for a weekly podcast is a godsend. But they are only two-thirds of what makes it so special. There is also Karl Pilkington, their friend and one time radio show producer of their XFM radio show, where the idea for The Office was conceived.

Karl¹ is undoubtedly the reason behind the show’s success. His anecdotes, opinions, ideas, and most recently, his journal, provide much of the show’s direction. He is rapidly becoming an icon. I hate to call him an idiot; after all, it could be an act and he could very well be a comic genius of epic proportions, but really, I think he is an actual idiot. In fact, it’s common for Gervais refer to him as “an idiot” multiple times during one show. This is the beauty of Karl, the fact that we all have a friend like him; a friend we cherish for being loyal and decent, and for inadvertently providing us with hours of amusement.

The personalities aside, you are probably wondering what the show itself is about. Drum roll please! ... Well, it’s about nothing. It’s just an opportunity for these three to come together and discuss random topics with some features thrown in to add direction. For instance, there is Monkey News. This is Karl’s baby. Somehow Karl is able to dig up and share a ridiculous story regarding a monkey or chimpanzee each week. Each tale is told in complete seriousness by Karl and is littered with disbelief from his co-hosts, derogatory comments aimed at Karl and the most high pitched laugh you’ve ever heard (compliments of Gervais). You are sure to enjoy learning about the monkey pilot, the chimpanzee doctor, the monkey non-unionized, construction worker and many more.

Recently, as the focus on Karl has intensified with most emails and questions from listeners being directed at him, another feature has been added: Karl’s Diary.² It’s likely that Karl was encouraged to keep a diary as a bit for the show but this doesn’t detract from the humor generated by it. His journal is mostly observations as he goes about his day but the odd provocative thought is thrown in amongst the rubbish. As the feature has grown, it serves mostly to spark debate amongst the three hosts as much as it allows Karl to ramble on and elaborate on his mindless scribbles.

To sum up, this podcast makes me wonder – is Karl real or is he just the latest bit of comedy genius from Gervais and Merchant?³ Are Gervais and Merchant so brilliant they surround themselves with a person like Karl who is able to turn 30 minutes of conversation into the most downloaded podcast on the web? I think he is real but I know a doubter when I see one, so you should listen and decide for yourself. You’re certain to get some laughs out of it and the best part is the first 12 episodes are free.⁴ Be prepared to pay a small sum for the second series but honestly you won’t mind, especially when you learn that Karl is unemployed. You’ll be happy to contribute and make sure he’s well fed and able to continue his journal. After all, this is the man who requested a digital camera as a parting gift from his last job, then declined to open it so he could re-gift it as a Christmas present for his long term girlfriend. The man clearly needs our support.

And finally, if you haven’t seen Gervais and Merchant’s The Office, rush to your local video store, borrow it off a mate, order it offline, do whatever you have to do but please, watch it. And then watch it again. And again. And so on.

¹ Once you listen to the podcast, you will understand why I refer to Karl as Karl and not his last name like I do with Merchant and Gervais as is common in most articles you read.
² Karl’s Diary first appears in Episode 8.
³ He IS real in that he DOES exist. You can see photos of him and his oft-talked about perfectly round head at rickygervais.com. My question is whether or not he is real in the Jennifer Lopez “I’m real” sort of way.
⁴ The first series was made available by iTunes and the Guardian – guardian.co.uk. I think currently you can only obtain the last four episodes from either, but a simple search on google.com will help you find the rest. For example, I found all 12 archived at www.kingricky.co.uk.

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