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THIS CULTURAL LIFE - 141. RICKY GERVAIS (320kbs-m4a/97mb/42mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 1st January 2026
Comedian and writer Ricky Gervais talks to John Wilson about his formative creative influences and inspirations. Ricky Gervais made his name as the co-creator and star of The Office, the mock documentary series which became a landmark in British television comedy, and was shown all round the world. Further success followed with the comedy drama series Extras, Life's Too Short and Afterlife, and awards including two Emmys, four Golden Globes and seven BAFTAs. Ricky Gervais has written and performed numerous solo stand-up shows around the world, the latest of which, Mortality, was filmed for Netflix and has just earned him a tenth Golden Globe nomination.
Gervais tells John Wilson about his early comic influences including Laurel and Hardy, Fawlty Towers and Derek and Clive, the foul-mouthed drunken alter egos created by comedy duo Peter Cook and Dudley Moore on three, largely improvised, spoken-word albums recorded in the 1970s. He also talks about his own approach to writing comedy and the huge inspiration that the 1984 mock rock documentary This Is Spinal Tap was on the creation of The Office.
Producer: Edwina Pitman
Archive used:
Laurel and Hardy theme, Dance of the Cuckoos
The Office, Series 1, Downsize, BBC2, 2001
Fawlty Towers, Series 1, A Touch of Class, BBC2, 1975
Golden Globes, opening monologue, 2020
This Is Spinal Tap, Rob Reiner, 1984
DESERT ISLAND DISCS REVISITED: COMIC CASTAWAYS 4 - RICKY GERVAIS (320kbs-m4a/98mb/43mins)
BBC Radio 4 Extra broadcast: 31st March 2024
Comedian and writer Ricky Gervais is castaway Kirsty Young.
In just twelve episodes, his show The Office changed the face of British TV comedy. At its centre was the comic monster, David Brent, a middle-manager being filmed for a mock-documentary who saw the ever-present cameras as his route to popularity and fame. Ricky Gervais's performance was both excruciating and unmissable - one critic called the programme "among the most affecting and invigorating works of fiction since the turn of the century".
As he discusses with Kirsty Young, comedy was the language he grew up with - the youngest of four children, being able to come up with a gag or a smart rejoinder was the linguistic currency of his home. That, he says, is where the 'show-off performer' was born.
Now with seven BAFTAS, two Golden Globes and an Emmy to his name, Ricky is gratified that his work is recognised and says his aim has always been to bring art into comedy.
Favourite track: Lilywhite by Cat Stevens
Book: A coffee table book of art
Luxury: Vat of novocaine - a non-addictive pain-killer.
Producer: Leanne Buckle
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2007.
Bob Dylan - If You See Her, Say Hello
Yusuf Islam - Lilywhite
Sex Pistols - Anarchy In The UK
Neil Young - After The Gold Rush
Radiohead - Bones
David Bowie - Letter To Hermione
Jimmy Webb - Galveston
Willie Nelson - Always On My Mind
DESERT ISLAND DISCS: CLASSIC DESERT ISLAND DISCS - RICKY GERVAIS (320kbs-m4a/75mb/33mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 7th April 2019
Another chance to listen to the comedian, Ricky Gervais speaking to Kirsty Young in 2007.
In just twelve episodes, his show The Office changed the face of British television comedy. At its centre was the comic monster, David Brent, a middle-manager being filmed for a mock-documentary who saw the ever-present cameras as his route to popularity and fame. Ricky Gervais's performance was both excruciating and unmissable - one critic called the programme "among the most affecting and invigorating works of fiction since the turn of the century".
As he discusses with Kirsty Young, comedy was the language he grew up with - the youngest of four children, being able to come up with a gag or a smart rejoinder was the linguistic currency of his home. That, he says, is where the 'show-off performer' was born. Now with seven Baftas, two Golden Globes and an Emmy to his name, Ricky Gervais is gratified that his work is recognised and says his aim has always been to bring art into comedy.
Favourite track: Lilywhite by Cat Stevens
Book: A coffee table book of art
Luxury: Vat of novocaine - a non-addictive pain-killer.
Bob Dylan - If You See Her, Say Hello [Columbia]
Cat Stevens - Lilywhite [Island]
Sex Pistols - Anarchy In The UK [Virgin]
Neil Young - After The Gold Rush [Reprise]
Radiohead - Bones [Parlophone]
David Bowie - Letter To Hermione [EMI]
Jimmy Webb - Galveston [Guardian]
Willie Nelson - Always On My Mind [Global Television]
THE FIRST TIME WITH... SERIES 13 - 1. RICKY GERVAIS (320kbs-m4a/128mb/56mins)
BBC Radio 6 Music broadcast: 28th February 2018
David Brent creator Ricky Gervais sits down with Matt Everitt to discuss his and Brent's musical influences and passions.
Ricky shares stories from his youth, about going to a record store for the first time and the impact it had on him. He talks of his first musical loves, including Roxy Music, Cat Stevens and Simon & Garfunkel, and how The Old Grey Whistle Test was so important to him. And of course he tells of seeing Bowie for the first time.
He also discusses his short-lived new Romantic band Seona Dancing and their ultimate demise, plus his belief - as a director - in the genuine power of music. He shares his passion for Radiohead and discusses David Brent's soon-to-be legendary band Foregone Conclusion.... and reveals David Brent's favourite chord!
First broadcast in 2016.
Rod Stewart - Handbags And Gladrags [Mercury]
Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone [CBS]
Cat Stevens - The Wind
Roxy Music - Street Life [EG]
David Bowie - 'Heroes' [EMI]
Seona Dancing - More To Lose
The Smiths - Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want [Warner]
Vaughan Williams - Five Variants Of Dives & Lazarus
Led Zeppelin - The Rain Song
David Brent & Forgone Conclusion - Ooh La La
Radiohead - Bones [Parlophone]
David Bowie - Letter To Hermione [EMI]