Why Comedians Are Obsessed With Death - Ricky Gervais Explains

Stephen talks to Ricky Gervais about how the pandemic put Ricky's stage show on hold for a while, but didn't really change the jokes because he loves talking about evergreen subjects like life and death. Stick around more with Ricky Gervais, and check out his new standup comedy special, "SuperNature," premiering May 24th on Netflix. #Colbert #SuperNature #RickyGervais
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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is the premier late night talk show on CBS, airing at 11:35pm EST, streaming online via Paramount+, and delivered to the International Space Station on a USB drive taped to a weather balloon. Every night, viewers can expect: Comedy, humor, funny moments, witty interviews, celebrities, famous people, movie stars, bits, humorous celebrities doing bits, funny celebs, big group photos of every star from Hollywood, even the reclusive ones, plus also jokes.

[@Dysiode]

2:40 I absolutely adore that explanation of irony: when you laugh at the wrong thing because you know what the right thing is

[@diazinth]

@Marianne both, but usually "morally" is the one causing the most problems

[@BooshyBrows]

@Marianne it's like when it rains on your wedding day or getting a free ride even though you've paid already

[@katarzynasienkiel713]

@@BooshyBrows It's like... when you have ten thousand spoons when you actually need a knife

[@kjph7438]

@@katarzynasienkiel713 Thing is though that’s not irony , but isn’t that ironic , I wonder did she know the irony of her song when she was writing it.

[@alphajava761]

"We create our own heros and villains as role playing for the soul and that's what makes us stronger". Ricky's depth is as great as his humor.

[@angielawless2238]

I didn’t think I could like him even more until he said this.

[@njcurmudgeon]

Yeah, that line jumped out for me too.

[@NewMessage]

Not to mention that it's respectful to the audience to trust them to be smart enough to get it. And he does. Good on 'im.

[@peachesandpoets]

Not a good horse to bet on. Avg IQ is about 90-100. More influencial is trust in audience who paid or clicked to see him knowing what they're in for. His comedy isn't exactly rocket science, though he's very smart

[@visions_of_noah]

The New Message guy is back. The person with the most comments on talk show videos Lol

[@atheist666]

@@peachesandpoets Can you point me to absolutely any comedy that’s actually exactly rocket science? 😂 Try thinking before typing 👍

[@enossified]

SpaceX?

[@alcoholandfun243]

@@peachesandpoets The tests are designed so that average iq is within the 90 to 110 range. So, yes, average iq is 100. On purpose 😁

[@anatasiabeaverhausen7942]

Again, Ricky delivers. “Humour, role play for the soul” 🔥

[@stepstr]

'comedy is a place where a mind goes to tickle itself' - david brent.

[@letzgo7631]

The man is a genius 👏 After life both seasons are brilliant.

[@OldFellaDave]

Have I got good news for you! It's actually 3 seasons ;) The bad news is - that's it. It's over now :(

[@carlodave9]

I couldn't take the sappiness. It was like a maudlin Hallmark series with a little crude humor. Will he find meaning in his life now that his sinless angel of a wife died? Whatever it had to say it said it in the first episode and just kept doing it.

[@PiglipsMaximus]

The 3rd series was absolute trash rubbish garbage

[@Scottymol]

@@carlodave9 Couldn't agree more, love most of Rickys stuff but hated Afterlife, seemed dated, cheap and rushed.

[@followthefiddledavidbathen6012]

@@carlodave9 100% everything that needed said was in the 1st season. After that it became unbearably sappy and preachy

[@LORGSW6]

I could never get enough of Ricky Gervais!

[@arlowallace7775]

same...never ever!!

[@magdakonop4566]

Same here!🤗🤗🥰🥰

[@TyTyTy87]

He's a deadset legend

[@zyzzyvacation]

Ricky once famously said: "Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right."

[@xnonsuchx]

Easily offended people deserve to be offended

[@dykam]

And then there's a group of people who use that as an excuse to just offend anyone under the pretense of it being humorous. That's not what Ricky does.

[@evelynsaungikar3553]

@@dykam Yes, just because you’re offensive, doesn’t mean you’re right either!

[@panchopuskas1]

@@dykam ....ok, but that soon becomes tiresome and unfunny.....

[@sea_triscuit7980]

@@panchopuskas1 I know, everything is a goddang mind game these days.

[@MaidenHelll]

I love Ricky’s laugh It’s so genuine and somehow a little cutting cuz he laughs at wrong things😅

[@cristosl]

He's not laughing at the wrong things, he's laughing at us, at our pomposity, at our absurdities, our pettiness. That's what irony is best at. It's a genuine laugh alright.

[@MaidenHelll]

@@cristosl I said he laughs at wrong things

[@cristosl]

@@MaidenHelll He says it in the video, "... you laugh at the wrong thing, 'cause you know what the right thing is...".

[@alteregobuster7061]

@@MaidenHelll Surely Ricky's whole ethos, is that there are no wrong things to laugh at?

[@MaidenHelll]

@@alteregobuster7061 surely

[@NediSafa]

His show 'Derek' is one of the most heartwarming and uplifting things I've ever seen. It's worth seeking out and watching.

[@Snaakie83]

then try 'After Life' as well...it's even better.

[@kincaid7550]

Did you get Derek in America?

[@yesfredfredburger8008]

@@kincaid7550 Gervais fans know it's on Netflix (or it was a few years ago at least) but it never got big here

[@NediSafa]

@@kincaid7550 yes, on netflix

[@suzannefarrington4143]

Love that Stephen references a first century Roman public intellectual in a discussion about comedy. These deep AND silly juxtapositions are what keep me coming back.

[@kennethvaneimeren8064]

yeah except that it was Terence, a 2nd century BC formerly enslaved comic playwright from North Africa, who said it, not Seneca.

[@mikeywhtshoes2353]

You are not a real person

[@suzannefarrington4143]

@@kennethvaneimeren8064 he was quoting Terence in his Letters. I’ll give Stephen a pass, but you might want to excoriate him, lol.

[@DailySource]

I agree. Stephen is a national treasure… Available to the world for free, At least the parts of the world where people have enough money to have an Internet connection and device to access it , So it’s more accurate to say he is available to half of the world for free. Hopefully that half shares enough of its money with the poor half so that they can also access Stephen and the other amazing resources of the Internet … And also not die of starvation and lack of other essentials such as non-deadly drinking water.

[@Fitten06]

Just a Classics major here seeing who else geeked out about that reference 😁

[@JuiceMyRandomness]

I love when these two have great chats. They are so different but in the best way.

[@NikZ500]

Ricky Gervais is one of the smartest and kindest human being ever

[@eponymousIme]

Brilliant observation by Gervais at 3:39: ". . .in fiction, we create our own heroes and villains as role-playing for the soul."

[@Tao_Tology]

Exploring the "what if".

[@PurpScurpington]

Man I love when two comedians, even if they're extremely different in their beliefs, can relate through the art of comedy. It's always beautiful and touching,

[@brianmilo7662]

Colbert is not a comedian.

[@iwillfactcheck]

Colbert has 25 people writting for him and is still not funny

[@diane9496]

Calling Colbert a comedian is the funniest shit ever 🤣

[@josm1481]

Yes, one believes in integrity and the other has sold his soul. The Catholic that propagandises for a party with beliefs fundamentally against his own and has contempt for his beliefs.

[@brianmilo7662]

@@josm1481 I liked Colbert and Stewart. Idk if it's because I'm older and wiser that I think they're terrible mouth pieces for the market share that destroys our society, or they always were this evil.

[@acdnintheusa]

After Life was a unique Ricky Gervais experience for me. He led me to cry, as much if not more, then to laugh. The two masks. What a gift he gave us.

[@aalbi2781]

The last episode of After Life moved me deeply. It was a revelation beyond "belief" and "non-belief." So heart-warming!

[@acdnintheusa]

@@aalbi2781 agreed. I imagine there are many interpretations of it. I can still picture the last scene and it still makes me well up.

[@scottcarlass8887]

Absolutely adore this piece of, let's say, explanation. Not often enough do I find that people truly appreciate the art of irony.

[@peterscottmorgan1]

@@ZENSIBLE George was the absolute King of that

[@LeoDragon34]

I love watching these two ‘sparring’. Two very intelligent guys who, despite their differences of beliefs, respect each other. It’s refreshing, if increasingly rare nowadays.

[@darkheart407]

Hopefully this is a good start and a good message of that

[@rushfan1970]

Exactly, agreed 100%, well said!!👏🏼💗✌🏼

[@SeanWinters]

Colbert is NOT intelligent lmao

[@justaguy6100]

Honestly, the "rare" aspect is Stephen being a person with a faith belief that doesn't 1) get offended by someone who doesn't believe as he does and 2) has no militancy or apologetics to offer as regards what he believes. He honestly respects other's beliefs, or even utter lack of belief, and I'm certain would never support injecting ANY religious "science" into public schools. THAT is rare in the "faith" community.

[@SeanWinters]

@@justaguy6100 That's because he actually doesn't have any "faith" to begin with. He wears it like a skinsuit, pretending to be what he isn't for the sake of fashion. A Christian who doesn't reach out to others is like a man who doesn't warn people about to be hit by cars. If you actually believe someone is going to hell you have to be a psychopath to not try and warn them. Or... You have to believe hell isn't real, which is a core Tennant of Christianity.

[@xVentax]

I admire him for not sanitising the humour on my behalf. I’m happy to do my own censoring - if I think a line has been crossed, I can switch off. He’s never crossed that line yet, so can’t wait to see the new show.

[@Debbie56]

I have always loved Ricky’s laugh. It’s contagious.

[@jaimereynolds258]

He has my all time favorite laugh. It always makes me happy to hear

[@jaimereynolds258]

@m K To each their own 🤷‍♀️

[@siwi666]

that was pure gold 2 comedians talking.

[@tonamiller6850]

"We're all idiots so it's OK!" Wish more people realized this. FUNNY!

[@OFOTCN]

Is it

[@joenisnapje712]

Humor makes misery a little more bearable 👏🏽

[@joshuacaldwell5887]

Lately I’ve been getting sad feelings about how one day my mum and dad will pass away and it’s been really heavy on my mind. The other day I told my mum about it and that it’s been making me really sad and she turned around and looked at me and started laughing. Instantaneous I felt better. I love that attitude

[@marlonpenn]

Louis' guitar tone deserves special recognition.

[@janvandertoorn]

After-life is by far the best thing I've seen in a long time!!

[@Bonski11]

Damn that was a nice conversation..these two even with different outlook in life can talk very well to each other.

[@CeceLairdComedy]

Lmao they're not that different THEYRE COMEDIANS!!!!

[@Bonski11]

They are but im talking about being a believer and being a atheist

[@chaitanya112]

My brain grows a little every time I listen to Ricky. In a world full of hacks it's so refreshing to hear an articulate comedian.

[@traciebarton-barrett4541]

Absolutely love these two together!

[@darbs3168]

Colbert is the enemy.. look into it

[@thunderousapplause]

I adore Ricky. Hes a real one.

[@wormbaby666]

When comedians like Ricky discuss dark topics or topics some might consider taboo, I think that's when their art really shines. It's all about context - if you first witnessed death as a gory accident, it could be shocking and difficult to deal with; but if you first witnessed it at a sombre funeral with a trusted family member or friend to explain a bit about it or taqlk it out with you - likely not so much. The world has a lot of terrible things in it, but I feel that when he (or other talented comedians) bring up the subjects with wit and irony, perhaps presenting a view point you hadn't considered, it makes it a little bit easier for your mind to take and consider, like a drip feed or a kind of innoculation from the full and raw brunt of it. Cheers to the jesters and comedians - speaking truth to power and taking the edge off the blow! :)

[@oscarinacan]

Well put...... when confronted with these subjects most don't discuss for whatever reasons we can always find a comedian that has had the same/similar thoughts or experience bearing it out on stage, letting you know you're not alone

[@saramarie516]

After Life is a beautiful show. For anyone that hasn't watched it, it is totally worth it. I'm sure I will re-watch it at some point.

[@jamespuffer2889]

Ricky Gervais is amazing and has been a fantastic source of humor for me since he, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington were on XFM London 20+ years ago. He’s next to Carlin as one of the funniest, most interesting and intelligent people I’ve ever encountered. Afterlife is an absolute masterpiece of a show, I cannot more highly recommended a series than that one. An incredible combination of emotions, you’ll laugh your ass off and have your heart ripped out, but somehow it’s enjoyable too.

[@phyzik1800]

Gervais is one of the smartest and intellectually thought provoking comedians today, and probably far into the future.... And I am proud to call myself an Atheist along side him...

[@stephjovi]

Same ❤️.

[@Marijuanifornia]

It's okay that you're an atheist. God still believes in you.

[@stephjovi]

@@Marijuanifornia which one?

[@tentardigrades968]

@@Marijuanifornia Thor? Ra? Apollo? Allah? Agni? Ah Mazen Cab? Which god believes in me?

[@Marijuanifornia]

@@tentardigrades968 Silly human fairy tales do not explain God. It is hubris that makes people think that they can explain God as a person or a giant blue elephant with 8 arms. God is more like the E in E=MC².

[@designedforlifecoaching4007]

Ricky Gervais is one of the few beacons of light in the Times we live in

[@fatimamirza2100]

“….. daddy doesn’t mean, what he is saying, for a living”!

[@stephenfacca6703]

Well, he goes to court and talks to the judge.

[@Dan-ys8nk]

After Life is a brilliant comedy-drama series. Ricky Gervais delivered a work of art to the world!

[@hainish2381]

This little conversation is such a wonderful gem. Ty :D

[@jonathanmccoll4512]

Ricky's point of surviving bad things with humour is exemplified by the whole Ukrainian tractor/Russian tank meme.

[@saulshennan6825]

Ricky Gervais, the atheist who hates _Lord of the Rings._ Colbert's dream guest!

[@OldFellaDave]

Thank **** Stephen let it go this visit and didn't go down those rabbit holes gain :) This was a much better interview.

[@amber8287]

And even so, he still respects him and just wants to pick his brain about why. To Stephen, it doesn't make sense. They respectfully end those conversations even without changing the other's mind.

[@CeceLairdComedy]

I don't think Stephen cares that he isn't Christian and hates LOTR he's a professional????? You think Stephen only invites or likes guests who like only what he likes. Idiots.

[@byindani]

People can still be friends whilst having opposing views. Experiencing it in third person opens your mind up to different ideologies😉

[@saulshennan6825]

@@byindani It's obvious they're on good terms, if not actually friends. Gervais has been a frequent guest on Colbert's show.

[@chriskelly3481]

"Daddy doesn't mean what he says... for a LIVING." 😂

[@OliverDobbs]

Saw his first show in person after Covid. Was painfully funny. Can’t wait to watch again on Netflix

[@assurhex1449]

The best part is that Colbert doesn't realize that Ricky is talking about people like him.

[@zininoo]

Is he? Ricky is part of all that, the 'establishment', why is here here promoting his show and stand up?

[@robin2012ism]

Ricky's The Office was absolute brilliance. Up there with Black Adder and Ab Fab in my tiny book.

[@ROZDAB]

I wish Ricky was just on the show every day. We don’t get enough of RG. There hasn’t been someone like him since George Carlin. The 2 greatest performers in the history of humans.

[@K4R3N]

Carlin! 🐐

[@telfordguy34uk]

When Ricky is dead , He will be remembered as a comedy genius , which he is. Long live Ricky.

[@mssmile6592]

That last round of conversation flew over my head!

[@lowruhtrilllz]

Stephen's "I don't mean what I'm saying.. for a living" is the most honest thing he's ever said on TV

[@OFOTCN]

And I bet ya there’s some truth to that for Gervais too

[@SteveK666]

I just want these two to sit and talk for a couple of hours. It would be so watchable.

[@R.185-x7z]

I love Ricky's laugh. It's contagious

[@Hopster1]

While I might get a lot of flack for saying this I believe it to be true, “The more intelligent you are the more you’re able to appreciate and understand comedy.” The fact that people are attacking comedians nowadays says a lot about society’s intelligence at the moment.

[@josm1481]

@@heroprime7599no, what they're saying is unintelligent people will struggle to understand jokes. They also find it embarrassing so try to stop others from enjoying the comedian rather than let the market decide.

[@pmor4272]

Just because it’s a joke doesn’t mean it wasn’t meant to offend, or isn’t unkind spirited or isn’t racist. I’m not saying that’s what Ricky is doing, but for example, I’m sure Hitler made jokes that were racist. Yes it takes a level of intelligence to understand jokes and meaning but also to understand intention as Ricky says who the butt of the joke is. Stephen Colbert for example as Stephen Colbert the anchor would make jokes that the real Stephen Colbert didn’t mean but there are some that would say them to be racist or sexist or whatever the point because that’s what they believe. To think simplistically on this issue I would say doesn’t do one’s intelligence any justice.

[@markthomas7279]

Steady there!! Hubris awaits! Humour is like democracy. Everyone gets a vote, everyone gets to make a joke and everyone gets to laugh!

[@OFOTCN]

Today’s comedy is all about just talking to the audience, it’s not a real act - and it’s lame ❤

[@TheloniousCube]

The anecdote at the end about Stephen's daughter hit me hard - that's a deep moment

[@MiriamDandelion]

I love Stephen Colbert because he can just casually drop a Seneca quote into everyday conversation.

[@mayabremridgebremridge6531]

I'm a 53 year old white Jewish mom from cape Town south Africa..... I love ricky

[@NellieKAdaba]

👍🏿

[@skatekr3w13]

Just his laugh makes me smile.

[@JonnyDIY]

Ricky's laugh 🤣💕👍

[@dja7820]

I live for interviews like this one

[@novafamily8430]

Ricky and Stephen, probably the only two actors I don't implicitly loathe. ❤️

[@m.a.b.4104]

Such a great comedian and definitely a necessary voice today. Proves humour is vital to deal with the hard problems.

[@TheAtticusFinch]

Ricky is enjoying himself so much, Colbert and his audience are the exact people he's laughing at.

[@KOOLBadger]

Love you Mr. Gervais..

[@Tanavids]

Ricky Gervais is always so refreshing and interesting. After Life is one of the best shows I've seen - i watch it whenever I need the right kind of crying, release. But also I'm a lot like Ricky (from what I've seen) and the cynicism and fedupedness I feel I get to vicariously experience through his character.

[@oldtimer7635]

My absolute favourite comedian, and...he´s a great actor as well. : )

[@NellieKAdaba]

👍🏿

[@alephmorricone7207]

Genius and refreshing. Comedy GOAT for me

[@FTNChicken]

When they're not throwing shade at each other over religious, these two really have some beautiful conversations

[@sccello]

Yeah I'm pretty relieved they didn't get into it this time. I enjoy those discussions, but not when it's the only topic at hand.

[@Sindollx666x]

I love the way Ricky explained what comedy is For. I really love him!

[@julihouser7468]

Too funny!! Because it's true! "Daddy doesn't mean what he's saying....for a living." I totally relate, and also relate to Ricky. I don't like people, but I like people during my working hours as a customer service professional, once I clock out...back to not liking people...LOL!

[@jimslancio]

4:22 That's profoundly thought-provoking.

[@MRIPETCTSupportEngineer]

I saw a glimpse of my favorite version of Colbert. Been a while since I’ve seen that Colbert

[@Skzzlemister]

I could listen to Stephen and Ricky talk for an hour or two.

[@deadshot8077]

Please tour Australia, Ricky!

[@Bella418]

Afterlife was a great series, I miss it. ❤️❤️

[@projekt9759]

Ricky Gervais is the best 👍

[@KarlwithaC]

That was a refreshingly intelligent and thoughtful conversation.

[@templeofleila]

Man, that brought a tear to my eye and a laugh at the end. Thanks guys

[@stuartjohnson5103]

Love both of you guys.

[@sonyalindee8676]

I love Ricky Gervais I think his eyes are so beautiful and his smile.🥰

[@Pi3raz]

3:58 That's not Seneca's quote, it's Terenzio's. It's from "Heautontimorumenos" ("The Self-Tormentor").

[@christianp7421]

Well, kinda sorta: Seneca, like Cicero before him, took the quote out of its original comical and into a new context, that alone made it viable as a commonplace of ethics. Also, Terentius is not an Italian, but a Roman, so if you're into grassroots philology, you wouldn't want to call him Terenzio, (or Terenz or Terence, for that).

[@Pi3raz]

@@christianp7421 Fair point. I only wrote "Terenzio" out of habit. In Italy we usually use the italianized version of latin names even in school, in fact I have a copy of the The Self-Tormentor on a bookshelf next to my desk and on the cover it's spelled Terenzio. P.S. Of course, Seneca italianized name is still Seneca

[@radiophodity]

I am human, I consider nothing human alien to me. Roman playwright Terence [Publius Terentius Afer] The Self-Tormentor Homo sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto. Publius Terentius Afer Heauton Timorumenos, Act 1, scene 1, line 77

[@westfield90]

I watched the Gervais special and as a religious person he made fun of my beliefs however I don’t want him cancelled, I don’t want him attacked, I don’t want his show pulled. It was just a joke. That’s how it should be.

[@heartshapedisle]

'Role play for the soul' thanks Ricky

[@carolgriffiths6603]

I live for his laugh!!!

[@Blackazza]

great interview by Stephen and Ricky is a class act, so in touch with the real world

[@msjadeli]

I love you two.

[@Drcragory]

Great interview.

[@321renew8]

I lost my first child to SIDS and watching Eddie Murphy Raw video helped me get through the hardest times.

[@CarinaDeJesus1]

For me... The best comedian ever 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@nixxonnor]

Awesome explanation of humor

[@Pratalax]

"Roleplay for the soul", i like that.

[@adastra.]

Ricky Gervaaaaaay

[@jerilynshanahan3401]

I love Mr Gervais truth

[@sclawatts5333]

#patriceoneal gave out the ultimate cheat code to comedy “50% of the audience should be offended 50% should love it” - the goat 🐐

[@evelynel3373]

Adore Ricky ♥️

[@jamess1314]

I like Ricky's laugh

[@energ8t]

Colbert finally learning what humor actually is.

[@bobpowers9637]

Seminal moment: Ricky reminding Colbert what being a comedian is.

[@youbigtubership]

Ricky Gervais has the teeth of a dragon, and though you can't see the flames, the fire-breathing makes him good at roasting others.

[@someone2021]

People are afraid of death which leads to much of the anxiety and fear that drives the crappy behaviour we inflict upon one another.

[@Boweevel]

Brilliant as always

[@warrenbass7350]

Brilliant!

[@katar0t0]

Well Stephen, Ricky is your best guest ever, I'd watch an hour or two of you both chatting.

[@Marijuanifornia]

The 14-minute 1942 US Department of Agriculture video *Hemp For Victory* is the key to reducing unemployment, reducing poverty, reducing crime, reducing police brutality, reducing government spending, reducing political corruption, reducing pollution, replacing fossil fuels, ending deforestation and stopping climate change, all at the same time.