

The Ricky Gervais Show
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington
For years, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington entertained listeners with their nonsense on XFM. In 2005, they launched a podcast with The Guardian, delivering five series of absurdity over three years and over 300 million downloads by 2011. Join the famously ridiculous trio every Thursday as they discuss everything from horses in houses, paper rounds, and fat babies to Karl’s diary, poetry, Aunty Nora, man moths, hairy Chinese kids, and of course, monkey news.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 6, 2025 • 30min
S02 E02 - Give Us Another Book
The hosts dive into Karl's unexpected adventures in America and share hilarious analogies for life. Steve recounts a chaotic carnival experience in Brazil, while Ricky chats about his quirky pets. The episode also brings back Rockbusters, sparking laughter with amusing clues about musicians. You won't want to miss the witty banter and the lively guessing game that keeps everyone entertained with humorous misinterpretations and playful storytelling.

Feb 27, 2025 • 31min
S02 E01 - ROCKBUSTERS!
The hosts dive into the ridiculousness of moving to another planet and explore the implications of light speed time travel. They tackle the absurd idea of doppelgangers, and grapple with playful riddles from hell. In a hilarious twist, they introduce Rockbusters, a game featuring cryptic clues about artists and bands. The trio also reflects on the enchanting yet bizarre tales from a book about unusual individuals, while humorously critiquing modern art and discussing the growth of language amidst global warming woes.

Feb 20, 2025 • 32min
S01 E12 - Just Try And Sleep
In this final series wrap-up, the trio hilariously navigates Valentine's Day, debating the merits of romantic gestures. They dive into whimsical discussions on fish rights, pondering how crabs might perceive the world. The absurdity intensifies as they reimagine dating from an insect's viewpoint, blending comedy with existential reflections. Also, prepare for laughs with ridiculous tales about monkey customs and their quirky contributions to NASA. A delightful mix of humor and insights rounds out a memorable finale.

Feb 13, 2025 • 33min
S01 E11 - Cheap Doctors
This episode dives into the quirks of childhood education, debating the need for creativity in learning. There’s a wild discussion about the absurdity of dishwashers on Mars and humans coexisting with dinosaurs. A hilariously misinformed patient thinks a chimp is his eye surgeon, prompting laughs about cheap medical solutions. Plus, a captivating chat about doppelgängers leads to whimsical reflections on timekeeping and evolutionary oddities. Expect laughter alongside bizarre tales, including Karl's tussle with a seven-year-old over a silly argument!

Feb 6, 2025 • 28min
S01 E10 - Mr. Dilkington’s Freeze Pop
Dive into a whirlwind of bizarre topics, from the absurdity of time travel and the quirks of animal communication to the trials of owning a racehorse. Enjoy humorous tales about gangsters at the racetrack and a lost jockey's mix-up with fake fruit. The episode also reflects on the importance of sleep and pondering life's oddities through Carl Pilkington's unique lens. With a sprinkle of adult humor and whimsical hypotheticals, this captivating discussion is sure to entertain and provoke thought.

Jan 30, 2025 • 31min
S01 E09 - I Nearly Killed A Man
This time, the hosts dive into the absurdity of a life-or-death dilemma, debating who's worthy of being saved on a sinking ship. Karl shares hilarious diary excerpts, including tales of chucking rocks off cliffs and meeting Suzanne. Get ready for quirky dining stories and a woman hilariously obsessed with flight nuts. They also reflect on the value of money, sprinkle in some parenting advice, and explore the whimsical side of design and relationships—all wrapped up in their unique comedic style!

Jan 23, 2025 • 35min
S01 E08 - Karl's Diary
The hosts dive into hilarious extracts from Karl's holiday diary, full of amusing reflections on travel. They explore the quirky aspects of Guinness World Records, sharing funny examples and critiquing bizarre achievements. Playful banter unfolds around the significance of nicknames, revealing childhood stories and personal connections. The conversation takes an unexpected twist with a comedic tale about a bobsleigh race gone wrong, featuring a mystery team member. It's a lighthearted mix of humor and absurdity that invites listeners to laugh along.

Jan 16, 2025 • 31min
S01 E07 - Cogito, Ergo Sum
In a whirlwind of laughter, the hosts tackle the quirks of human evolution, highlighting the importance of opposable thumbs in a hilarious dishwashing experiment. They share whimsical tales about neighborhood encounters during chores and philosophically ponder life's absurdities. Anxiety over medical exams, especially prostate checks, serves as a comedic backdrop to their discussions. Amidst all the humor, a builder's encounter with a remarkable chimpanzee at a construction site raises questions about work and the wild, leaving listeners both amused and thoughtful.

Jan 9, 2025 • 33min
S01 E06 - People In Glass Houses
This week, the trio dives into the humorous dynamics of their friendship, poking fun at each other's quirks. They explore the rarity of Chinese homeless individuals with amusing anecdotes, and hilariously dissect the complexities of baldness and its societal perceptions. Animal behavior takes center stage, featuring absurd tales about chickens and the ethics of blood sports. The highlight? A whimsical 'monkey news' segment about a heroic monkey rescuing people in outlandish scenarios, keeping the laughs rolling throughout.

Jan 2, 2025 • 41min
S01 E05 - The Papa People
The trio hilariously debates the cultural quirks of the Kombi tribe in Papua New Guinea, even touching on cannibalism. They explore the absurdity of dolphins with weapons and ponder reviving extinct species like mammoths. Their conversations meander through antique shopping mishaps, while a mischievous monkey sparks unexpected romance for a zookeeper and his wife. With a dash of humor, they reflect on modern-day heroes versus historical saints and the whimsical world of DVD collectibles.