Q&A | Why No Kids? | Karl Pilkington

To celebrate Father's Day Karl has answered Elaine Phillips's question - Why no kids? Have a look at this video to see Karl's take on potential fatherhood. What do you think about his theory?
Karl will be answering more of your questions in the run-up to his Facebook Q&A on June 20th at 7pm. Keep an eye out for the videos, as you may be the next person to have a personal video from Karl Pilkington!

[@krisshadbolt1389]

Whys is he sitting in front of loads of framed pictures of himself?

[@GreenoBeno]

LOL

[@Xxj0intxX]

Haha :)

[@charlielee5893]

this made me laugh out loud

[@RoxanneJ]

😂😂😂

[@400hpGTO]

Must’ve got rid of the mirrored wall behind the tele

[@fulltimespy]

This is why I love Karl, starts about kids, then adoption and marriage, weird names, skype, fruit, japanese cars.. all packed into a nice 3 minute video

[@JvMatt]

Yeap :D he's a rare comedian. Wait...does he know that he's or is he's just being himself and that's all, no trying? :D

[@fulltimespy]

I think he knows, but he was like this before he got famous too so :)

[@hicksrb]

JvMatt I think he is just being himself, but he's also learned by now that people find his authentic self to be very funny.

[@chewomabublegum]

just because those words were said once doesnt mean he drastically changed the subject, that whole last segment was about names not skype, fruit or japanese cars

[@adambritain5774]

He is, genuinely, comedy gold.

[@Iunio92]

"Fuck me, all she asked was why no kids" - Ricky "Man alive" - Steve

[@erurevir]

I would really like to see a season 4 of Ricky gervais show, I must have watched all of it about 5 times by now.

[@Plasros]

erurevir Same here. All XFM shows like 3 times already, Podcasts as well. Need more Ricky, Karl & Steve!

[@arshad_nazran]

Plasros Should do a petition. If it is popular enough, a big network company or a sponsor might turn up to get enough budget to prise Ricky from his Derek show and Steve from his show as well.

[@Iunio92]

Arshad Nazran while I'm sure a new season of podcasts would definitely not be bad, I feel like they've done everything they could in the medium of radio/podcasting. There is a pretty extensive back catalogue of material, and I don't think they'd be able to top it. If they left it for good, having not really done anything less than stellar, it retains an almost god-like quality. They left at the top of their game, more or less (even though I prefer the XFM shows over pretty much everything else) and not many people can claim that. Ricky's not one to go back and do something lest it tarnish its reputation anyway

[@ISetYourFaceOnFire]

I miss those two....with karl. All three of them..ricky's boring now, steve, I don't know what he's doing, Karl....he's putting it on at this point. I miss xfm days.

[@Heromedic18]

You're wrong Karl Pilkington. You ARE important. Your podcasts have gotten me through more than one night when I was depressed and crying my eyes out. God knows how many peoples lives you've made better by adding a little bit of laughter into them.

[@Mcfc2Rich]

True that.

[@dangerruss6490]

Here, Here!!

[@William88213]

true

[@glennoconnor1130]

Same man!!! Had ridiculous anxiety few years back, soon as it got to 9pm I would stick the podcasts on & BOOM temporary release :)

[@lepetitchat123]

He is RIGHT. He has a firm grasp of reality. He doesn't have a breeder's ego. I like him even more now

[@Azmoslam]

"I wouldn't want to wish this on anyone else." Fantastic.

[@RossMoore777]

I wish more people had this mentality. Too many people have kids even though they're not cut out to be parents, and then the kid suffers. It's a very mature and unselfish response from Karl

[@SamuelBlack84]

I absolutely don't want to have kids. I don't want the responsibility of caring for something for years and listening to that crying

[@ElStink4K]

Considering birth rates are dropping fast, it seems they already do

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

​@@ElStink4Klol

[@alexwells6876]

I always say the best people aren't parents. That's why there's so many shitty people around

[@RaveSceneTribute]

What a refreshing and ego-less position to hold on the big question of having children. If only more people thought like this. Too many people think about how having a kid will benefit THEM, they treat a child almost like a little project. No thought whatsoever goes into the wider ramifications. Not everyone should have kids.

[@Xubelo]

People from Eton shouldn’t …

[@RoseJacksonHRJ]

Yeah, so true. I remember one guy saying he wanted kids because he wanted a son who is a mini version of him. I find it bizarre that people say not having kids is selfish since it’s possibly the best thing you can do for the environment.

[@sekhmet7774]

People with your revolting nihilistic mentality shouldn't for sure.

[@gbrj12]

You're getting me through some rough times Karl. Love you for that.

[@danquinton1345]

hope things are okay no mate!

[@jakes2503]

I agree. Some people don't even take into consideration what the life of the child will be like. I most probably wont have any children, I am losing my hair at 19, I'm skinny/small boned, not very athletic, have a ridiculously long neck, acne (worst) and social anxiety. I wouldn't want someone to live a similar kind of life JUST because I want some comfort and company in old age, how selfish.

[@jakes2503]

***** I meant that I wouldn't want to pass those traits on to a child of mine.

[@morrisseysquiff1063]

Jake Shaw very well said

[@1100HondaCB]

***** It's anxiety issue. He is worried if he passes his genes onto any possible children. I feel the same way about myself.

[@1100HondaCB]

Ayyy lmao It seems many people have children because they see it as a fashion accessory rather than the real reason.

[@jackson12016]

+Ayyy lmao I disagree, i think its selfish not to have children. It could be argued that the only real point of life is to procreate.

[@dohertyz]

It's almost a crime that we haven't seen Ricky, Karl and Steve in the same room in nearly 3 years.

[@morganhomer7388]

7 years now

[@haczabim]

i dont miss them!

[@TheShortbread123]

L7D who asked?

[@iPro3million]

SeanK fuck you

[@iPro3million]

De Profundis no. Please don’t tell them

[@darrenmoorelufc]

I totally agree with Karl. Too many people having kids just cos "it's the done thing". Fostering / adopting is much more laudable. The world is already overcrowded.

[@sarahlund5436]

I know. I don't like the comparisons to others who already have kids. Why can't we just all live in the present and take everything one day at a time? Social status doesn't matter to me.

[@lewis96L-s4e]

Karl should be in-charge of human evolution from now on.

[@MurrayHerts]

Karl, adopt me mate, I'm 27 and a lovely kid.

[@Rilumai]

Tipsy Gypsy Get rid of 'em!

[@michaelginger88]

Damn your funny! , lol

[@CaptainBeefheart90]

also watching this at 27

[@jewellui]

I think he already has one called Ricky

[@rossshepherd9836]

You're*

[@KBelDC]

Karl, you've changed my life. Your shows alone made me so much more happier. Not a lot of Doctors can do that. You're a comedy genius man. Have a kid or 4. You made it seem like being worried about that turtle was a bad thing but that's a great behavior a potential parent can have isn't it?

[@MrJohnybirchall]

Me too. karl might just be the smartest person on earth.

[@BentNeatly]

MrJohnybirchall and yet his iq is 83! Still smartest man i know.

[@teocantsleep4611]

I need a source for that. I don't believe he's 88. He has to be around 100 at the very least. Edit: I'll admit I'm speculating, and have no idea but it sounds wrong.

[@matthewhendy5785]

The fact that this guy is so ordinary and real makes him an actual living legend.

[@K1MB3RL3Y88]

I'm only 26 but all of my friends have kids, my younger sister has two of her own now. Its not something I want. I have never wanted kids, and I don't think I ever will. Easier life.

[@Mr66crowley]

I think Karl's genetic material should continue on and be sold. Everyone needs a Karl Pilkington, although they're not just for christmas.

[@Disinfo321]

"I wouldnt want to wish this on anyone else" bit got me

[@carolinemurphy1038]

I've always respected Karl's views on having children. I'm a 22 year old woman. I have a niece and a nephew and I love them to bits but I don't want any of my own. I was bullied throughout my whole school life and family life hasn't been too good either. I think that if you can't support a child financially and you feel they could go through the same bad things you did, then it's more selfish if you do have kids.

[@shyjames83]

Cool. Although, you might change you’re mind one day if you fall head over heels in love...then again, you might not.

[@macman975]

I've got a feeling that it's more to do with his missus not being able to have kids really.

[@Pannkakaize]

Marry me

[@cloudhigh6582]

@@macman975 Nah no chance. He genuinely does not want children.

[@nicholaschip5820]

7 years on. Any babies yet? I hope you don't mind me asking.

[@African.empress]

You're important Karl, you've got me through some tough times and I'm sure you've positively influenced many people

[@lextube]

3 minutes long and I am in hysterics and can't breathe. I fucking love Karl.

[@MisterM2402]

It's nice to see someone with the same mindset as me. I don't like kids and don't think I'd be a good parent, so really my future kids would be better off *not* being born. It's annoying how it's seen as "the right thing to do" and people think it's weird and abnormal not to want them. Same with getting married, Karl's right on the money there too!

[@nicholaschip5820]

Did you ever end up having a kid?

[@MisterM2402]

@@nicholaschip5820 Nice follow up! Forgot about this video, cheers for the reminder. No, still no kids and still have the same view on it as Karl all these years later.

[@nicholaschip5820]

@@MisterM2402 Ok, this is good to know. Speak again in 8 years time for a further update.

[@MisterM2402]

@@nicholaschip5820 I reckon it'll be the same but sure, let's catch up again in 8 years time! I'll probably still be listening to Karl's ramblings at that point.

[@nicholaschip5820]

@@MisterM2402 Sorry, couldn't wait 8 years. Thought we might meet in the middle, 24 hours. Any updates????!!!!???

[@VevoKIlledUtube]

I love that me and 44,000 people follow Karl on twitter, and he only has 1 tweet from a year ago. Brilliant.

[@ismaelchaidez9714]

This is awesome. I'm thirty-one and will never have kids. To each their own, I love kids but parenting is something that will not be happening on my lane. I'm too selfish and I kind of go through a little disgust/sickening emotion when I see 85% of the scenario. Hey, everyone should do what they want though. This is an awesome interview. The man has something that many lack these days... Common sense!

[@jd2192]

Give karl a 24 hour radio show where he just talks constantly, about whatever he wants.

[@Ajlex114]

Karl may be an idiot but he's smarter then a lot of people in this world. He is smart enough to realise that you shouldn't just have a kid because you can.

[@henryj8363]

Fuckin love karl, and hes so right here.People just have kids because its whats seen as the "right" thing to do as society tells them it is, they dont actually think before hand if they really actually want one in the first place, or have the stability and resources able to look after one comfortably.Karl gets branded stupid but is actually capable of independant thinking, which is something the masses are not.For that reason alone he cant be branded stupid.

[@TheAfrorasta]

I agree completely with what he's saying here. Except for the distancing yourself from an adopted kid part. Always felt like this. I'm the same with him on not seeing a need to marry as well.

[@VColossalV]

But what if they turn out to be a bit of a nutter 'n that?

[@CubejamF1]

VColossalV I thought he was going to say he'd give them back to the adoption agency.

[@robin7499]

Or a right little shit? Can't be bothered.

[@91debaser]

"You shouldn't just do it for the sake for it". Karl is not a classically intelligent man, but he is not stupid and can be really profound sometimes. I wish more people shared this view of the world. Do something because you want to do it, not because society or anything else dictates that you should.

[@spaceanon5930]

What a dreadful place this world would be without you Karl.

[@sinanyavuzz]

I get a big smile while watching your videos. No specific reason, I just get happier.

[@_clyro55_29]

Karl is absolutely hilarious. What a legend he is. The world needs more Karls!!

[@TheTennispro1ify]

Although I'm black, I feel like Karl's my real dad. Improbable I know.

[@relaxedphylax]

I'm asian and i go to Karl for life advice

[@mickeyesa]

Karl, you are important. You bring joy to many peoples' lives with your observations and honesty.

[@guybennett5266]

I wish more people would listen to this message ...

[@SuperLisalis]

Karl, Want to Thank You so very much, You have helped me get thru the last three years. Your dvds n radio show repeats on You Tube. The only company i have had , smiles n laughter that would not have happened without you. Bless You Namaste.

[@drew2pac]

Similar to another comment - but Karl, you aren't a doctor or a genius (although I'd argue that). But I assure you, you are my first port of call when I have a shit day and need to cheer up. So thats worth something. I visited Egypt because of you too I remember listening to the 'Ricky Gervais on...' series. I was walking down the street laughing to myself like a lunatic because I couldn't contain it! You sir, are a legend!

[@cutes22]

We need a petition to get the three of them together to do podcasts.

[@98_sam_]

"What a mong, play the record".. I miss hearing that, Karl. Please, do another podcast with Ricky and Steve. I had to watch RG Show at least 20 times now.

[@moonstarr8053]

He's 100% correct. World is overpopulated.

[@1Kilili]

It makes me sad Karl says he's not important, complaining about being bald :( I'd love to see him appreciate what's special about him. There's something about him that draws people towards him.

[@jamesnicks5367]

Karl you are important… we all love you

[@tatazuki1451]

That was a good response to the kid-question Karl!❤😊

[@Violka1987]

This is EXACTLY my philosophy :)

[@TheJimwoo]

Your pride miiiight be misguided.

[@thevictorianbaroness7604]

Agreed \m/

[@sadhanagurung9359]

He's really funny, really stubborn and uncontrolably funny at time BUT he is a GENIUS who stands by what he believes in and is not afraid to say it infront of people/s whether it's in a interview, talk show, internet, etc. And i really admire that quality of him. also he's got a very interesting perspective on life and is funny as well so what's their to dislike or hate about him really.

[@niemanickurwa]

And this is why Karl's actually a bit of a genius.

[@BloodylocksBathory]

When it comes to the matter of whether or not someone should have kids, you have your head on straight.

[@ricarleite]

Someone needs to mix Ricky Gervais laughter into this.

[@ilusiodiamondmask1607]

OMG KARL YOU ARE SO BRUTALLY HONEST

[@teocantsleep4611]

Karl your brain is amazing, people wouldn't listen to you for hours on end as a lot of folks do if it wasn't. It thinks differently. Ricky captured it well although not fully, you get caught up in the subplots. You see things that other people just wouldn't. You have to have noticed that that's extraordinary.

[@platplatfrog]

Karl Pilkington. What a man.

[@SlightlyShoobie]

Naming my kids is something I'm very much looking forward to. Then you have Karl's perspective. Brilliant

[@hashimnasser9967]

This man is hilarious...genius!!!❤ how he doesn't laugh at his own thing I will never know.

[@boccs9925]

I think that's a very respectable and responsible mentality.

[@iamtherealrenedescartes]

You see… it is often that Karl is made fun of because of his lack of intelligence. But the thing is, he knows he is stupid; he is aware of his own ignorance. And this allows him to make wiser decisions in his life. In some sense, he adopts Socrates' philosophy of having an awareness of ones own ignorance. Unlike many others - who are stupid but won't accept that they are stupid - and therefore make stupid decisions. He made a good point that "we are not all cut out to be good parents". And therefore not everybody _should_ have children. Certainly not for the sake of it because of the detrimental consequences not only on the individuals lives, but for society too. But majority of people don't ever think of children and parenting like this. The majority just breed willy nilly and end up making stupid decisions. In my experience, a lot of people often think, for example, that they should have children merely to keep their family generation going. Which is a rather foolish justification for bringing new life to this world.

[@MirrorWitch13]

Yes, I agree. Not everyone should be allowed to breed. Take you, for example. You who writes longish boring You Tube commentary arguing with yourself about nothing at all; insisting upon wasting your time on writing things no one will ever care to read. God knows we don't need anymore of those wandering about.

[@reinforcedpenisstem]

It's debatable if you can actually be 'aware' of your ignorance in any meaningful way... Otherwise, you're not actually ignorant.

[@iamtherealrenedescartes]

M. Ryan It's not at all. You have to be aware of your own ignorance to actually learn anything. Socrates famously said "All I know is that I know nothing". And it is his Philosophy which the scientific method is based on (the best method of acquiring knowledge no doubt). It is those who claim to know things with certainty who are the most ignorant (the most that lack knowledge). In order for one to acquire truth and knowledge, you first have to acknowledge your own ignorance. It is basic logic. And everyone is ignorant. Which is to say, there is always something that we lack knowledge on. So it is impossible for one to not be ignorant. Which is why it takes intelligence to recognize that fact about yourself.

[@reinforcedpenisstem]

Yes, but how do you actually know what you don't know? You can have a guess or a feel for what you don't know, but once you know something about your ignorance, you're no longer all that ignorant.

[@iamtherealrenedescartes]

M. Ryan Easy. It's not that you need to know what you don't know. That's not what ignorance is. Having ignorance simply means you lack knowledge. And it is easy to know when you lack knowledge I am going to assume for the moment that you are not a brain surgeon; if you were asked to conduct brain surgery, I am pretty sure you would back down because you are aware that you lack knowledge on conducting brain surgery. I am well aware that I lack knowledge on car engines for example. I have no idea how an engine works. I don't know the mathematics behind the big bang theory. I don't know what the big bang model actually says because of my lack of mathematical understanding. I don't know whether there is a God. I don't know that we are not brains in a vat. I don't know that the universe is _actually_ real. I don't know how a civilization can best sustain its self for thousands of years to come. And knowing about your ignorance doesn't automatically give you knowledge (that's a direct contradiction). That's nonsensical. That's like saying that if I know that I don't know how a car engine works, I am no longer ignorant to how a car engine works. Well, I have just told you that I have no idea how a car engine works. And guess what, I still have no idea how one works. Simply acknowledging that I don't know how a car engine works does not make me no longer ignorant towards car engines and their function. And as I said before, it is impossible for a person to "no longer be ignorant". Even Stephen Hawkins is ignorant towards something (and he happily admits that and will tell you exactly what he doesn't know). We are _all_ ignorant. It is a matter of having the integrity, the intellectual honesty, as well as the intelligence to admit it.

[@target555]

I can immediately tell that karl is enjoying this Q and A...lol

[@oo0Spyder0oo]

Hope he changes his mind, he would make a better dad than many I've seen. He's down to earth and not pretentious. Most people want kids to go along with their 2 plasma tv's and 4x4's, then when they find it means life changes they throw them to a carer while they hit the pubs or nick off to buy more plasma's in the mining boom.

[@goldenglovled]

Do we need em? i'm surprised he didn't cover kids in that segment.

[@adriennebahr5370]

Karl! You are important!

[@nalasaiyan]

I think that’s such a rude question why no kids. Not everyone wants them 😐

[@feritosman]

Karl don't be hard on yourself you look good, you're tall which a lot of people aren't and it hurts us in life. You're smart, and you're a good actor, I saw you in Derek.

[@beaulieuc8910]

This is so true, when you read about drunk drivers, thieves, druggies, serial killers, rapiests, conmen and women, etc, you heave a sigh of relief they are not mine. Who would want to bring up that sh*t ? Having kids is so overrateed and who wants to be trapped?

[@galefray]

I honestly felt SOO bad for him when he said: "I wouldn't wish this on anybody else". Mainly because I actually sympathized with that, and secondly, because I wanted to just hug him and tell him he's wrong. You make millions laugh Karl, I think you're awesome. :) x

[@blackjackx95]

karl is the realest dude ive ever seen

[@FilthEffect]

He really doesn't see much of himself. Quite sad really, he's a modest man who knows what he likes and doesn't pretend to be something he's not (apart from a monkeyologist). World would be better with more Karls knockin' about.

[@Mattythebassman]

Never a more true statement has been made, a world of Karl's would be a much happier one.

[@collectivelight]

Just recently discovered Karl from Idiot Abroad and the Moaning of life. He is so relatable and has a brilliant take on so many topics.

[@mimsl959]

Oh Karl! You've got great genes to have kids! I think it's in the way you raise them! But to each his own. Don't if you don't wanna! Karl Pilkington. Smarter than most people think! Common sense, man, common sense!

[@JakeWilliams283]

Was thinking how sweet Karl is saying he'd adopt as there is a lot of kids out there who need looking after then he goes and spoils it by saying it would be handy if the kid turned out to be a nutter and he could just say "well he's not mine"

[@spaghetti_legss]

Jake Williams bloody brilliant

[@Thebeastfromnorth75]

The genius level of this man´s brain.....

[@detos1178]

Finished reading your book on the plane today absolutely loved it

[@tiagoazulcardoso9737]

i am not bring life into a corrupt world. i see people that do mostly to get money. Não estou a levar a vida em um mundo corrompido. vejo pessoas que não principalmente para conseguir dinheiro.

[@petrucci15]

omg....karl with classes!!!! that would be so good to see

[@Brandooooo5]

This makes me so sad because he doesn't realise how clever and unique he is. Theres a reason he's as famous and loved as he is, as simple as he thinks he is.

[@willmcpherson2]

A man made of pure gold

[@HHh-ej4rl]

I love myself!

[@zicuenca]

Nice. Funny as always, but absolutely nailed it with his answer.

[@footballshite]

Karl you are important

[@moweeewoweee]

Funny guy. One of a kind.

[@moomoopuppy5810]

I liked how he turned and blamed

[@haveitboi999]

karl genes need to live on, the mans a legend

[@SeanKiernan420]

Sometimes I think Karl is actually a genius and we just can’t understand his logic 😂 but then I watch other clips of him and immediately change my mind

[@DavidAmmerlaan]

Brilliant

[@Crow-sj6sf]

The world would be a better place with more Karl Pilkington genes in it.

[@waadoda1263]

Actually ur hilarious and modest that's something u can pass on

[@rujor]

Karl is smarter than most, I sincerely believe that 😐. This is a great example.

[@sararudd92]

Karl you are important I think your very intellectual and that should be passed on and I think you would be the best father because you would have a way of explaining things so well yo your kid. So even if you didn't have the best genes that would be okay because you would be distributing common sense to your child which would help society. Your son or daughter would be like you. And question things and that helps society right there. So what your bald and people say your a idiot or whatever. I think y'all should have children. And your wife heavy though she may be. She has beautiful eyes your kids would be so good looking! Y'all are not ugly. Y'all just have little infermities. And yes kids are a lot of work. I have two twin boys it's a handful but it's worth it. They are so precious

[@Ashley4029]

Sara Rudd He said he didn't want kids.

[@jax2665]

Spot on mate

[@Dg-zj6jo]

Great stuff .

[@jakeollyb]

I love this guy so much!

[@FrankDoe]

Karl, you are important! you make me not wanna go postal on the world :)

[@danthomas8428]

Legend

[@GreenEyezz23]

I love you & your brain Karl!!

[@MorbidLyre]

Perfection.

[@NarsFromMars]

Love you Karl. Greetings from Iran 🙋🌺

[@Iri-b1j]

Karl = Legend

[@nannalesley]

Your genes are fantastically awesome Karl. I think the world needs more Karl Pilkingtons (aka Dougie). Speaking of that, please come back to Derek!!

[@adammarsh2482]

Words to live by

[@jeanmalan]

Oh God I want to be there when Ricky first sees Karl with his glasses on.

[@palomaharper2810]

I've never seen a man with no hair have a widow's peak😂

[@underage4page]

+Paloma Harper Holy shit i just noticed....karl, you are a strange specimen.

[@Lairdyful]

tony sopranos comes to mind hahaha

[@eden1083]

Paloma Harper I'm just wondering if something happened because it seems the skin is different in the front and I feel maybe something threatening happened to him.

[@AutumnExplore]

Brilliant insight! And absolutely Hilarious!