Ricky Gervais's Funniest Friend?
The comedy world certainly moves fast these days. A couple of years ago Ricky Gervais was number one, then last year the smart money started to say that Stephen Merchant was the real brains behind the operation and that Gervais would be nothing without him. Now there is a school of thought that even says that sidekick Karl Pilkington, the Ringo of the recordbreaking Gervais/Merchant podcasts, is the real comedy genius.
Judging by his one-off Comedy Lab programme on C4 last night I can't see it. In Satisfied Fool Pilkington explored the question, posed by philosopher John Stuart Mill, of whether it is better to be a dissatisfied human or a satisifed pig. Pilkington, the pig in question, travelled around Britain to get an answer, having first taken an IQ test. There were some very funny moments, such as when Pilkington revealed that he couldn't understand the last book he read because it turned out that the pages really were printed in the wrong order, but however much his dumb remarks make Ricky Gervais laugh like a hyena, I'm not sure how much mileage there is in Pilkington's deadpan demeanour.
The experts he met certainly had little time for him. Will Self sent him away with a flea in his ear, Germaine Greer patronised him and then sent him away with a loaf of freshly baked bread. David Icke, however, saw Pilkington as a misunderstood kindred spirit. And when David Icke thinks you and he are alike I can't help thinking you've really got problems.
Incidentally, Pilkington's IQ test came up with a result of 83 - the average is 100. Pilkington used to be a radio producer, which if nothing else, suggests that you don't need to be a genius to work in the media.
Whether or not you like or dislike Gervais its got little to do with Pilkington Mr Dessawhateveryournameis - why do you critics always precede a review with your own personal take on a completely irelevant topic!? I've read your opinions of Gervais before, and its always with tinged with a venomous edge, shame. Has he wronged you in a former life? Pilkington's Comedy Lab episode highlighted the absurdity and mind blowing pomposity of the so called intellectuals he sought answers from. In particular, the unbelievably arrogant and wonderfully talentless Will Self, who told Pilk to f*** off and stop wasting his time because he's a BUSY MAN!!?? A busy frickin man? With absolutely no discernible talent of his own he is so far up his own backside that when Pilk said to him it was nice to meet him - his own ego bled onto the screen in vulgar amounts with his uncalled for reply of 'well, it was sort of nice to meet you...sort of' what a c u next tuesday, Seriously. Thats the issue. Lets start a hate campaign on a man who smokes cigarettes through a balaclava - like the cancer stick isn't good enough to touch his puffy, over used lips. WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?!
Try harder Bruce. And focus on the absolutely wonderful thing Karl Pilkington did - which was to show up WILL EFFIN SELF as, and this is being polite, a tw@tty n0b n0b.
Posted by: David H | 24/10/2007 at 06:39 PM
Personally I find Ricky Gervais just smug and irritating. My theory is that his role in in the office is just how he is in real life. I used to run a magazine with Steve Merchants (now ex) girlfriend now she really was a laugh.
Posted by: CHARLIE | 24/10/2007 at 10:25 PM
I don't find Gervais particularly funny any more,the office was great but his comedy seems rather weak these days.
David Icke is longing to find kindred spirits,he's put up with so much ridicule these last 15 years it unsurprising.
I too had the opinion Icke was a total fruitcake until I read one of his books.Although the lizard leaders of the world is a bit off my current state of mind much of what he does say is spot on in my opinion and ridicule should cease until you have read at least one of his later books and done the research.
Posted by: Brendan | 22/11/2007 at 11:27 AM