Stephen Merchant & Ricky Gervais Aren’t Actually Friends | Full Interview | Alan Carr: Chatty Man

Stephen Merchant just wants to milk Ricky Gervais happily while he's big. Join of the biggest name in the industry with Alan on couch.
ORIGINAL EPISODE: SEASON 4 EPISODE 9 ( 15 August 2010 )
For more videos and classic moments from Alan Carr: Chatty Man, subscribe here: bit.ly/3yp9AlD
#AlanCarrChattyMan #rickygervais #stephenmerchant

[@orangemanok5800]

I love how Steve deferentially hangs back...waiting...then drops bombs at exactly the right moment.

[@SuperheroMovieMusic]

Calculated...

[@dannygreen592]

Hangs back.. Like everyone else is standing up??

[@orangemanok5800]

@@dannygreen592 Verb. To wait, not proceed. It’s a common Southern California expression.

[@RobinWhistles]

​@@dannygreen592 I'm in Ireland and that expression makes perfect sense 👌

[@alexico909]

​@@dannygreen592are you 6?

[@JustinSmith-px1ky]

After years of watching them I never realised they were 13 years apart.

[@DigitalDaffodil]

Obviously

[@stephentumlin8613]

Holy hell! Didn’t know that either. I’d rather hang out with Karl if I had an option.

[@0wls2k]

They do their best work together. It's time for them to get the band back together.

[@TheBatmansbrother]

I agree, but I can't see it happening. Apparently they fell out over money.

[@Isleofskye]

@@TheBatmansbrother Men either fall out over Women or money. Not necessarily in that order..

[@hiriqnu]

Totally disagree...RG's latest stuff is his best IMO....he doesn't need Steve.

[@hiriqnu]

​@@TheBatmansbrother according to who?....your postman? They've both stated several times there was no falling out.

[@DedicatedMW3]

And karl

[@mick2d2]

"I've hitched my wagon to this particular fat horse" 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@recon-chan]

chell

[@levity90]

Lol

[@REECEM92]

To think its been 9 years since Ricky, Steve and Karl have worked together. I love the podcasts, the animated show, An Idiot Abroad, Lifes Too Short and Derek. Who knows they might reunite one day.

[@fls128]

I imagine it was largely due to a rift between Gervais and Smerch, they did stuff for over a decade and probably got burnt out and of course there's the money side of things as well. I think Karl is still friends with both or at least Ricky.

[@CliveTheFrog]

Some things are best left as they are, the RSK stuff is perfect.

[@ShadowfinderMusic]

Imo The Office was way better than any of the other shows

[@quagsnake]

I'd probably want to distance myself from Gervais too after Derek...

[@anacom4238]

Steve M is the most genuine person here and has the most class. Maybe he got tired of Ricky's odd laugh but they're both brilliant and hopefully they'll be friends again.

[@PeterFraser-hp3rs]

Happy days -- August 2010. My god, it was like living on a different planet then.

[@profoundwanderer1441]

Funny that you say that.. Pretty much the very next year, everything slowly but surely got worst and worst for me personally. I'd say, given my age at the time.. 2005 to 2010 was the best years. 🙌

[@orlandogloom5409]

It also depends on entirely personal events, and shifts to different perspectives due to various things, but I agree. You don't want me to really, 100% start explaining how and why things unfolded the way they did. Let's just say the loud people who promote specific views while blaming normal people after ruining their experiences with constant hate and mockery, have multiplied and achieved their first goals (leaving that vague and partially open to interpretation for a reason but the hate and mockery bit sure clear things up, even if any side can be fanatical and unfair deep inside). Not that it's hard when life's not exactly easy or forgiving in the first place and the financial issues add to that... The level of entertainment during 00s is among the main factors as well.

[@ShrugSzn]

This was the best interview I’ve seen in a long time. Makes me miss the Ricky Gervais show

[@TH15N4M315UN4V41L4BL]

It's still there. I go back and listen all the time

[@jeremyc9593]

It will return. Mark my words.

[@rogerdodger1790]

Two WILDLY funny men and compliment each other perfectly.

[@maxade936]

Complement

[@Plethorality]

​@@maxade936thank you. This is genuine thanks and relief. Xx

[@moonbaked3247]

Stephen Merchant is great. Ive been watching him in The Outlaws. Love love him.

[@raccoonman4691]

Such an underrated show

[@dolphinsnape]

​@@raccoonman4691totally! It deserves so much more atention!!

[@theandrogynousmisogynist]

@@dolphinsnapeseason 3 premieres tonight

[@dolphinsnape]

@@theandrogynousmisogynist I know! I just can't wait! I only need to finish a few stuff I'm working on and is marathon time!

[@geraldjones8010]

2 of the best intelligent British comedians,there's no show or movie these two have done that I don't like.legends

[@northernpunx1978]

Life’s too short is so good.

[@Mogadypopz]

*screams in ralph laurie and rowan akitson*

[@footygirlful]

@@Mogadypopz Hugh Laurie

[@Mogadypopz]

@footygirlful lol i mixed up ralph lauren and hughe laurie

[@Guitarplayer724]

Russell Brand

[@travisbickle2004]

I really wished they would have done at least one more series of An Idiot Abroad but with the three of them travelling together, Ricky would have tormented the hell out of them 😂. Hopefully one day the right project will bring them back together.

[@kingluis6360]

Ricky wouldn’t have lasted two days.

[@travisbickle2004]

@@user-mx5pq1xo8j You are right, my mistake but i corrected it. I hope you didn’t lose any sleep over it 😉

[@mikeevans1994]

This NEEDS to happen

[@artofsam]

This will never happen ever as they haven't worked together in years but I certainly agree that back when idiot abroad was still being made I think Ricky and Steve owed it to Karl to go on a trip while Karl stayed back as he is now the one who gives instructions, except Ricky and Steve would be doing all the actual fun amazing things on their trip while Karl has to produce the series back in the UK. They could get everyone back in the studio to give Karl an especially hard time and make out that the show is going to be pulled by the sky execs because Karl isn't doing things 'right', in the end Karl still gets his own back here and there by setting up some surprises for them so its not all luxury. Would have been a great way to end the series.

[@Padraigp]

Yeah I agree i think they should definitely at some point do that karl will be the only one not freaking out i bet he would even smile.

[@trystandavies2469]

Up there with the best comedy duos EVER. They just bounce off each other so well, and they both find the other one hilarious, which obviously helps massively

[@krisbest6405]

Do you mean trios?

[@pm-tt1mu]

Throw in Karl and boom

[@trystandavies2469]

@@krisbest6405 hmm Steve and Ricky bring out what makes Karl funny. They're the reason he's even remotely famous. Watch any interview of Steve and Ricky together and they take over

[@lukedevlin5948]

@tejaylister3518bit of both having listened to a lot of the old xfm shows and podcasts, Karl is gold but it often takes Ricky and Steve to reveal his madness + they are successful writers in their own right

[@dentistry42]

@tejaylister3518So true, without Karl these two aren’t as funny

[@Braineater16]

The line about having a favourite chair... I felt that

[@piemuggs]

I’m with you all the way

[@freddiefreeman4119]

That was so funny, the three of them are comedy gold in this 😂

[@austinhuber3131]

Alan Carr is a fictional character from a 90s comedy that only the main character can see.

[@gohumberto]

2023 - Ricky is 61 and Steve is 48 (Karl is 50 and Alan Carr is, remarkably, the youngest of the lot at 47)

[@synthesizerpatel7405]

To be fair to Alan, he looks no different now to when he first appeared on our screens in his mid-20s

[@SystemIndex]

@@synthesizerpatel7405he’s only in his early 30s here

[@tredaly7108]

I honestly Think Gervais and merchant are two Of the greatest comedy writers duo’s of all time they just get it right every time. The office, extras , life’s to short, an idiot abroad The Ricky Gervais show it’s all absolutely hilarious just comedy genius

[@HandsomeBastard]

Of all time IN THE UK, you mean.

[@MartinHiggins1972]

Their writing peaked with The Office imo. Extras was good, Life's too Short not at the same level, and Idiot was not "written". The XFM radio shows are amongst their best work, I think, but also not written.

[@GrooveSpaceArk]

​@@HandsomeBastard UK has best comedy it's similar to how America can call it the world series when it's just America. They're the best at baseball.

[@HandsomeBastard]

@@GrooveSpaceArk 😄 OK if you say so, your little island is "world"

[@lilme7052]

Karl made idiot abroad funny though

[@vanessazannis5523]

“Although they were all orange!” This is why he’s a genius…

[@themanwnoname3454]

Two blokes that have always inspired me to look deeper into life & laughter 🥂🍾

[@dan_hitchman007]

Ricky and Stephen balanced their unique types of comedy writing out perfectly. The right splash of dry wit, human observation, with heart and pathos that could actually move you, sometimes to tears. Separately, they just aren't as good.

[@cpshirling]

'After Life' on Netflix was so wonderfully well done by Ricky. It not only had some straight up hilarious moments but the growth through the show with many of the characters made me have some of the most empathic emotions for a show in many years. Diane Morgan's portrayal of Kath was amazing.

[@Porkthepie]

I still think that Steve's independent stuff is 10x better. Ricky has become a parody of what they used to take the piss out of on the podcast

[@RobVespa]

It's like a lot of good bands. The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, etc. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

[@mikealvord55]

Nope - Ricky is a beast!

[@gwauk205]

@@Porkthepie His stand up is quality and Afterlife was spot on…

[@Graham-sl5tx]

Of course they are friends. It's called banter; they're just feeding off eachother

[@christophertitanium8424]

Ricky's laugh gets me every time.

[@alfching2499]

It gets me he looks like a pug dog

[@omikronweapon]

his laugh was what got me hooked on the XFM shows.

[@ireneeriksson7855]

I love Stephen Merchant❤

[@LoganW143]

This is how you know they are best friends. And god damn it I loved this delivery 😂

[@lingricker4632]

Hello Ladies by Merchant was BRILLIANT. It made me realise a lot of the duos writing was heavily done by Stephen.

[@garythefishable]

I also realised that Stephen was the special ingredient a while ago but I discovered this by putting myself through Derek and After Life.

[@joshua7734]

@@garythefishableit’s staggering how bad both of those shows are given Ricky’s pedigree. His stand up is very good.

[@dolphinsnape]

​@@garythefishableI haven't seen those, if you don't mind, would you say how or where did you discovered that in your words?

[@ChloeR-vt4bh]

@garythefishable - disagree. I thought After Life was brilliant. I also thought Outlaws that Steve Merchant did was brilliant too. They’re both great writers and fantastic together.

[@noka1979]

RICKY AND STEVE get back together, the world awaits.

[@MrFruitgum]

Still listen everyday to the Podcasts they all done with the great Mr K Dilkington - Man Moth - Horse in the house - etc etc. I wish the trio would all get back together

[@hkb1979]

Nothing beats Monkey News

[@ireneeriksson7855]

Me 2... long live RSK❤

[@JustinSmith-px1ky]

@@hkb1979 Karl's diary 🤣

[@julianbradford2406]

Dear Mr K Dilkington, you are one of our most valuable customers

[@MrFruitgum]

@@julianbradford2406 I threw it in the bin

[@tiredofit4761]

They are such a funny combination

[@STERNWAERTS]

love em. been obsessed with ricky and steve's work since i stumbled upon it a few years ago. first the office, extensively, then the animated rgs show, now the 4 seasons of xfm radio show that i downloaded a year ago and listen to every single day. together with karl they're just incredible and such a unique bunch, like the beatles. while i don't know much about the lads and what they're up to now, i kinda believe that they aren't close at all anymore, not even ricky and karl... might not be entirely true but that's my impression. but those ten years from 2002 till 2012 were something else. glad i've got "access" to that.

[@thecontentprism]

Ricky Gervais Steven Merchant and Karl Pilkington are the perfect comedy trio

[@pnutimusthe1st]

I can’t name another comedy trio can you?

[@johnsontrimble7881]

​@@pnutimusthe1st3 stuges

[@farzanamughal5933]

@@pnutimusthe1st cumtown

[@TimKapow]

​@@pnutimusthe1stAunty Donna

[@brianthesnail3815]

You do only need 6 good friends and even maintaining that many is hard work.

[@ilikehorses57]

"The fatter he is the funnier he is" In hindsight, this is actually outrageously true.

[@DragicaOfficial]

yup... just sitting here thinking: Ricky doesn't really tell jokes, he just spews sarcasm mixed with wit and repeats the last two words of what made him laugh

[@jackrichardson4089]

Chubby funster

[@mickcee1174]

Bring back ricky karl and steve podcast comedy gold

[@pauljoneseyboy9615]

Alan Carr is such a great host. I thought he would annoy me but he is a comedian in his own right. Good stuff.

[@smoothyuk]

You may be one of the greatest camouflaged put down artists that ever lived.

[@jordangerm]

His voice is so annoying

[@TC-dw6wg]

Poor Andy got his feelings hurt.

[@smoothyuk]

@@TC-dw6wg do you often misread situations? Find yourself wondering what was funny when your friends start laughing? It's ok..there's no shame in it, not everyone's top speed is the same.

[@miztahfrawg]

His voice is profoundly annoying but that love that over there in you-rop

[@Frank7489]

These 2 are so effortlessly funny together

[@dannymartin442507]

I love how they always use quotes from RGS, usually something that Karl says like Stephen looking like a see through fish. Karl is the real genius.

[@JN003]

..naturally hilarious, all three of 'em.

[@david-jackson-wills]

Brilliant!! I love anything they put their minds to, so funny together, it must be wonderful to have the talent to be able to write so much material. I can barely write a best wioshes on a birthday card.

[@greatnorthernexotic]

2:45 eyes bulging with imagined riches

[@Hascienda27]

Eyes bulging anyway

[@rickylafleur1446]

Stephen is brilliant, in my opinion he was the best guest to ever go on Norm MacDonald Live.

[@williamherbert]

Dirty Johnny

[@SquirrelJam]

Hello ladies was brilliant

[@larsickenroth7169]

@@SquirrelJamHello Ladies (the standup) was amazing, and eerily familiar if you’re 6’8’ 😂

[@l3eatalphal3eatalpha]

Super Dave was hard to top and pretty much set the tone for the show.

[@jshandle1767]

Agreed! The only one to take the piss out of Norm and break the fourth wall. ‘What is this drunken sea captain shtick?’

[@robertbloom4424]

Because Ricky's so quick and charming (in his way), people assumed that he was the A and Merchant was the B. But, as we have since learned, Stephen Merchant was the genius in this pairing and Gervais was the contributor, tossing in a few jokes here and there. It's funny how perception and reality sometimes clash. Merchant should be much more famous than he is. * Not putting Ricky down, he's a fine joke writer and actor

[@Eve181dublin]

Very recently discovered The Outlaws & binge watching every evening - wonderful writing & acting.

[@chrisphallheatlover9848]

Love these two

[@theflyingdutchguy9870]

the best times on tv are when comedians give each other a hard time😂

[@WelshBladerDad]

I've listened to nothing except my collection of all the XFM shows for the last 4 years in work 😂, Ricky Steve and Karl are the greatest accidental comedy trio ever!

[@jenniferbailey5914]

That natural comedy is pure gold!

[@555scubasteve555]

Absolutely!

[@yamyamyams2629]

Alan Carr is the reincarnation of my gran.

[@ianreptil]

Steve Ricky and Karl saved my life for real.

[@DeathEgg666]

These two were so funny together!

[@Nyanderc]

The Peter Crouch and Paul Gascoigne of comedy 😁

[@socat9311]

The Office and Extras are the only series i have actually paid and downloaded to watch again and again. As a non brit that sort of dry humour was new to me and I love it

[@northernpunx1978]

Watch life’s too short it’s amazing

[@socat9311]

@@northernpunx1978 thanks will check it!

[@northernpunx1978]

@@socat9311 it’s basically a mix of the other two shows it’s so absurd lol. Extras kills me what an amazing show. And the Office is obviously gold. Changed comedy forever. 👍

[@JoligePool]

@@northernpunx1978 @So Cat Peepshow is also hilarious if you like it dry and cringe. I believe all episodes are available on youtube.

[@socat9311]

@@JoligePool thanks!

[@LUFC123]

Eyes that pop out of their head....... Steve

[@CragScrambler]

Oh he's only done you again!

[@DIFFIEH]

He’s done you mate, he’s done you again!

[@MST785]

Bulging with imagined riches...

[@thegoodgeneral]

“It’s a bit like a slug on two cherry tomatoes.” Good Lord.

[@linda6987]

Good stuff! ♥️

[@ayyjsanders9319]

I love that they hugged as opposed to the formal handshake

[@werebilbyj4449]

I love these three, I haven't laughed so hard in so long.

[@2jakh]

Love you Alan ❤ and your show!! 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏😋😋😋

[@JackMillerIndia]

You obviously don't listen to the XFM shows

[@salexa171]

They’re so good together

[@jim9527]

I want another season of the podcast

[@meloncholicbliss]

man i love british humor lol especially talk shows. if this was on nbc/cbs it would never air

[@RockPhonic]

I don't think they have fallen out, but whenever Steve is asked about them working together in the future, he says he;s up for it. Whenever Ricky is asked, he's always awkward about it and changes the subject.

[@TestSubjectMacStar]

Yeah it seems to me and this is just speculation, Ricky has a big head. Many instances have crossed where he is asked about Steve's involvement in the office to which ricky consistently brushes off the question referring the office as "His"(Gervais) show...

[@hesch-tag]

Ricky doesn't want to share the attention or the credits.

[@mrcerrone4483]

@@hesch-tagI doubt it, Ricky’s always been the most famous of the trio. And he always tried to get them involved in his projects even getting Karl his own show made

[@hesch-tag]

@@mrcerrone4483 Well he never gave credit to Stephen and I think the success of (the hugely overrated) After life he became even more selfish. He only used Karl for his own fun.

[@TheMayDog]

@5:23 says it all

[@shoot_the_glass5654]

I think these three should do a series together, the chemistry is just phenomenal. 😄

[@oscarwilde5473]

Shoot_The_Grass ... I think they're wonderful too, yet are you aware this interview is from 13 years ago ... ?? ... 🤗 ...

[@zakboelema6941]

​@oscarwilde5473 doesn't hurt to dream though Mr gatekeeper

[@lilme7052]

er??

[@user-vb3vd2cq7c]

One of my favorite movies Cemetery junction, absolutely hilarious... these two are geniuses, for sure

[@michaelhoger697]

Cemetery Junction

[@Marita940]

Love all 3

[@yodanarcher6736]

I miss this type of comedy. Was praying this was recent and feel like the world has returned to some normal poke fun at each other place, but no. Is 13 years old.

[@loopstationyt]

I forgot about dicky bird and I died when Ricky said it 🤣

[@rahuldahoob]

Richard Anderson??

[@loopstationyt]

@@rahuldahoob DICKERS!

[@purplecrown505]

@@rahuldahoob Dickmeister General

[@mjb9984]

subscribed because of this interview 😅

[@TestSubjectMacStar]

Ricky, Steve and Karl Have some of the best chemistry In any podcast that I have ever seen. But if they genuinely don't glean any enjoyment from working together I have no issues. They all make lovely content/lead wonderful lives on their own! 2023 is the year of Grout, Karl!!

[@-______-______-]

Wow. At first I was under the impression that this literally just happened. I thought they had finally made an appearance together again.

[@3xrstudio]

Same. Why was this posted 4 days ago !

[@jameslunasco5941]

oh my i really thought this was recent

[@-______-______-]

Ultimate clickbait title

[@moodswinggaming2972]

@@3xrstudio to capitalise on the rumours. .

[@christineriley1295]

Bloody hilarious! 😂

[@SupercovenGW2]

so good

[@omikronweapon]

I always found it a little odd that Ricky skipped over inviting Steve for his birthday for example, when he DID invite Karl. I think Ricky enjoys having friends he can laugh at with impunity, and while Steve is sufficiently weird to fit the rest of Ricky's friends, he's witty enough to give 'Gerv a run for his money, rather than simply being 'bullied' and laughed at.

[@bunkertons]

Exactly.

[@pixiewings21_9]

The bit about Ricky holding Stephen's hand 🤣🤣🤣

[@itswilbur3747]

The silhouette alone is hilarious 😂

[@JoUsr]

Totally crushing on Stephen Merchant 🥰😉🤭

[@scottrathmanjnr]

This actually hd me cracking up the whole time ahaha

[@G2020-]

Steve is so sharp love him

[@fionarangel9486]

Just love Stephen Merchant ❤

[@tanssi2145]

‘Any lady would be fine’ hahaha he’s so quick with it

[@jez4722]

The dynamic between these and carl was to good. Id be made up if they did something again. Get dicky anderson on it aswel

[@jamescooling]

Dicky docky do

[@HBS98]

Don't forget about Paul "The Party Animal" Parker lol

[@lewis6916]

They used Karl and he felt like a monkey in a cage. He’s spoke about it in great detail before, they have asked him and he says no. He really doesn’t like them & said he wished he didn’t do any of it most of the time in a radio interview.

[@jez4722]

@@lewis6916 i think used is the wrong word tbh. They took the piss,ye,but steve got it bad aswel. He made plenty of cheddar

[@jesush.tap-dancingchrist7328]

Dickerrrrs!!

[@MrTangolizard]

Every time I see Stephen I can’t help but think back to when Karl said he looks like the postman in MIB2 the one under the counter

[@kjek1]

“You seen that Steve?” “It was gangly” “Seriously, it could be your brother”

[@kellingtonlink956]

A brilliant team!

[@patrickstoute4085]

Sometimes you dont feel the need to throw your opinions... You just listen... This is one of them... 😉👊🏼

[@UKGeezer]

Alan and Ricky are such talented comedians, wish there were more like them.

[@Burgmannn]

He's done you again Steve!

[@augment999]

He’s avin’ a go

[@nayelizombie]

I hope he was joking about not everything being proportionate 😂 because i really love stephen

[@user-yc9pj4dy6k]

They love everything in their ways

[@quntface1518]

Ricky invited Steve to his birthday, but he has to wear the waiters outfit.

[@veggigoddess]

Love how they moved the coffee table to fit Stephen 😂

[@joelsmith3473]

This is up there as one of the most SD looking HD videos

[@callumloader8713]

2010 baybee

[@jennierose3781]

Just adore these 3 pure gold 😊

[@samyheath8103]

It's like Del and Rodney 😂 😂

[@magnushhogberg]

I seriously cried of laughter watching this.

[@ayyjsanders9319]

Ricky’s response at 3:19 😂😂😂

[@user-cy3ml4pe8c]

I love them so much 😂

[@luminyam6145]

Alan Carr is so cute, I just adore him🥰🥰🥰

[@yikes7963]

It's the accountant from The Good Place!!! 😂😂😂 What a treat

[@Max-ip9vc]

The description of the video 😂😂

[@russellsidell]

Brilliant minds

[@mudmann10121]

7:22 and 7:46 gervais laughs and squeaks are hilarious

[@dukecity7688]

I've learned something important from Ricky - Words cannot hurt me - I feel free - and fairly happy.

[@TestSubjectMacStar]

You know what that's fucking beautiful here here!!

[@jacquelinefox2632]

We love Alan. He's a mums dream. ❤

[@jacquelinefox2632]

On the other hand, Gerbil is a mums bloody nightmare 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@Autistic_Internet_Slap_Fights]

outrageously funny! Love it!

[@MMPK96]

6:23 Ricky turned into Alan for a second 😂😂