The Ricky Gervais Show

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant talk to Karl Pilkington about important things in life whilst Karl provides anything but intelligent answers. Comedy at its finest with wonderful animation.

Genre: Animation, Comedy, Talk-Show

1Season 1

S1.E1 ∙ Space Monkey

Fri, Feb 19, 2010

After explaining the intentions of the show in their live-action guises, Ricky and Stephen morph into animated versions of themselves and debate the merits of 20th century inventions with Karl, who feels that pretty much everything people need was invented before the turn of that century. As for new discoveries he would like to see, Karl favors a "non-traditional," if impractical, approach to having kids. He also argues that people have "more than six senses"; intimates that cavemen and dinosaurs co-existed; and recalls a story about a pub tankard that killed anyone who touched it. The guys introduce the recurring "Monkey News" segment, in which Karl describes how banana trained monkeys launched and piloted space vehicles before humans.

2Season 1

S1.E2 ∙ Knob at Night

Fri, Feb 26, 2010

Stephen shares a news story about 42 midget warriors who were mutilated by a single lion in a Cambodian ring fight, as well as an e-mail from fan Paul "The Party Animal" Parker, about a Serbian man who invented a sex machine for women. Karl ponders how to avoid being conned into donating to charities, which segues into a discussion of sex. A dialogue about America's first nudist organization leads Ricky to critique naked gym jocks, inspiring a revelation from Karl. The guys debate if there is ever a good time to eat the penis of a kangaroo.

3Season 1

S1.E3 ∙ Charity

Fri, Mar 5, 2010

Topics include Karl's theory on a reverse-aging process; Charitable gifts for families in need; The merits of space travel; A choice of superpowers; Personal mottoes. Also: a "Monkey News" segment about a Moscow TV station.

4Season 1

S1.E4 ∙ Dolphins

Fri, Mar 12, 2010

Karl defends facials as more reasonable than enemas, and the friends discuss the customs of tribes in Papua New Guinea. Fan email raises the specter of armed dolphins and, in Monkey News, Karl relays the tale of a lonely monkey brought home by a zookeeper.

5Season 1

S1.E5 ∙ Glass Houses

Fri, Mar 19, 2010

Ricky and Stephen challenge Karl's interpretations of famous sayings such as, "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." Stephen questions Karl on what he's learned since his New Year's resolution to learn something new every day.

6Season 1

S1.E6 ∙ Cobblers

Fri, Mar 26, 2010

A fan asks Karl which body part he could live without; Fan mail questions for Karl; "Monkey News."

7Season 1

S1.E7 ∙ The Diary

Fri, Apr 9, 2010

Karl is back from holiday where he decided to start a diary. Ricky begs to read some of it, revealing a new invention Karl has come up with: A watch that counts down the days and time to one's death.

8Season 1

S1.E8 ∙ Nuts

Fri, Apr 16, 2010

Responding to fan emails, Karl is put on the spot about whether he would choose Ricky or Stephen to rescue from a sinking ship. Other topics include: face transplants, Karl's lessons for children and suggestions for redesigning various creatures.

9Season 1

S1.E9 ∙ The Jockey

Fri, Apr 23, 2010

In "Questions for Karl," the anointed pundit discusses time travel and adult diapers. Stephen reads entries from Karl's diary, which entertain Ricky immensely. In Monkey News: A 1950s gangster was duped into using a monkey as jockey in an important race.

10Season 1

S1.E10 ∙ The Fight

Fri, Apr 30, 2010

Karl discusses his unusual approach to teaching. Examples of discussion topics include a dishwasher being found on Mars and dinosaurs as a form of population control. In Monkey News: A man with failing eye sight who ends up at a chimp doctor.

11Season 1

S1.E11 ∙ Beetles

Fri, May 7, 2010

Topics include Karl's Valentine's Day advice, interpreting Wittgenstein and the rights of fish. Stephen and Ricky explain Kafka's 'Metamorphosis,' and Karl ponders life as a beetle. In Monkey News: Karl announces this will be the final segment.

12Season 1

S1.E12 ∙ Noises

Fri, May 14, 2010

Stephen and Ricky have Karl complete the 'Inside the Actor's Studio' questionnaire which leads to lively discussion about worm and flower cognition. Karl ponders organ donation in light of the possibility of an afterlife. Stephen reads from Karl's Diary.

13Season 1

S1.E13 ∙ Freaks

Fri, May 21, 2010

Karl ponders his entry interview with God at the Pearly Gates. Stephen reads from Karl's Diary hi-lighting alien mind reading and whether having one's head on backwards is harder than having one's hands reversed. Karl offers his top five list of freaks.

1Season 2

S2.E1 ∙ Clive Warren

Fri, Jan 14, 2011

Karl pitches a bizarre idea for a film, in which the comatose hero, played by 'Clive Warren,' has his brain transplanted into hiswidow's head.

2Season 2

S2.E2 ∙ Doppleganger

Fri, Jan 21, 2011

Karl imagines what life would be like if he had an exact doppelganger. Ricky poses a logic riddle that Karl has difficulty solving.

3Season 2

S2.E3 ∙ The Fly

Fri, Jan 28, 2011

Ricky teaches Karl some interesting facts about animals. Karl offers a misguided theory about evolution then recounts the latestscientific breakthroughs in medicine.

4Season 2

S2.E4 ∙ Onion

Fri, Feb 4, 2011

Karl addresses one of his pet peeves, animals who are treated like people, and issues a public safety announcement for chameleons.He considers the question, 'Does the brain control you or do you control the brain?"

5Season 2

S2.E5 ∙ Insects

Fri, Feb 11, 2011

Karl shares that he often goes on walks to observe ants, moths and other insects and that he once saw a bee have a heart attack.Karl asks if everything were the same size as humans, what would be the best animal to be.

6Season 2

S2.E6 ∙ Kidneys

Fri, Feb 18, 2011

Karl discovers he has a kidney stone and spends time in the hospital. Ricky stops by to visit and mock him. Karl considers animalsthat look like things and wonders if that's difficult for them.

7Season 2

S2.E7 ∙ Night Club

Fri, Mar 4, 2011

Karl says he wouldn't mind life as a littler person, since everything from food portions to cities would be bigger for him. Stephenrecounts his night out at a London club.

8Season 2

S2.E8 ∙ Future

Fri, Mar 11, 2011

Ricky reads some predictions for the future from an academic study, which leads Karl to share his theories. Stephen asks the guys iftoday were the end of the world, what would they do with their last day?

9Season 2

S2.E9 ∙ Natural History

Fri, Mar 18, 2011

Karl contemplates how many different species are actually needed in the world, and whether or not we should keep looking for new forms of life. Karl questions if inventions like modern vacuum cleaners and toasters are necessary.

10Season 2

S2.E10 ∙ Leg Rubber

Fri, Mar 25, 2011

Karl reminisces about an overabundance of breath mints throughout his childhood. Karl dismisses cures for blindness found via research with mice. After years of nursing a childhood leg injury, Karl visits a massage therapist with dubious credentials.

11Season 2

S2.E11 ∙ Mrs. Battersby

Fri, Apr 1, 2011

After contemplating the concept of memory, Ricky and Karl role-play as the two lobes of Karl's brain. Karl describes a childhood weekend of talkative ghosts and befriending pocket calculators.

12Season 2

S2.E12 ∙ Art

Fri, Apr 8, 2011

Ricky, Stephen and Karl discuss the nature of art, and whether old urinals or sharks in formaldehyde should be considered artistic works.

13Season 2

S2.E13 ∙ Munchies

Fri, Apr 15, 2011

Ricky and Stephen challenge Karl to describe his ideal version of the world as conjured in a magical isolation tank, but Karl is suspicious of a perfect life. Karl describes his theory of the "Problem Hole."

1Season 3

S3.E1 ∙ Bryan's Brain

Fri, Apr 20, 2012

Karl ruminates on museum collections, his invention for a mug coaster, and a new movie pitch.

2Season 3

S3.E2 ∙ Comic Relief

Fri, Apr 27, 2012

Karl, Stephen and Ricky shed new light on charitable causes.

3Season 3

S3.E3 ∙ Armed Forces

Fri, May 4, 2012

Karl explains why he would have liked to join the Army and recounts his most harrowing acts of bravery.

4Season 3

S3.E4 ∙ Room 102

Fri, May 11, 2012

Ricky, Stephen and Karl discuss what things Karl would banish from the world, and what item he would take if stranded on an island.

5Season 3

S3.E5 ∙ Karl's Day

Fri, May 18, 2012

Karl describes to Ricky and Stephen a typical day in the life of Karl Pilkington.

6Season 3

S3.E6 ∙ The English

Fri, May 25, 2012

Ricky, Stephen and Karl discuss the essence of Englishness, and what other nationality Karl would like to be.

7Season 3

S3.E7 ∙ Law and Order

Fri, Jun 1, 2012

Ricky, Stephen and Karl discuss capital punishment, the Ten Commandments and hostage negotiation.

8Season 3

S3.E8 ∙ Medicine

Fri, Jun 8, 2012

Karl shares his thoughts on medical advancements, being sick and his idea for a new machine for doctors.

9Season 3

S3.E9 ∙ Earth

Fri, Jun 15, 2012

Karl contemplates the beginnings of the Universe, evolution, recycling and toilets abroad.

10Season 3

S3.E10 ∙ Society

Fri, Jun 22, 2012

Ricky, Stephen and Karl discuss the laws of society and civil rights.

11Season 3

S3.E11 ∙ Wartime

Fri, Jun 29, 2012

Karl interprets the meaning of wartime sayings and imagines a scenario in which he is the wife of a GI.

12Season 3

S3.E12 ∙ World Cup

Fri, Jul 6, 2012

Ricky, Stephen and Karl ponder the problem of overzealous sports fans; Karl shares his saliva-volume test.

13Season 3

S3.E13 ∙ The Year

Fri, Jul 13, 2012

Karl ruminates on the insect world; Stephen recalls the horrors of buying condoms.