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- MediaGuardian,
- Monday February 6 2006
Gervais: 'It's a bit like Alexander Graham Bell getting the biggest telephone bill'
He's got two hit series, two Golden Globes and too many Baftas to mention. But now Ricky Gervais has a world record after his podcast became the most downloaded ever.
Gervais's weekly show on Guardian Unlimited, featuring writing partner Stephen Merchant and sidekick Karl Pilkington, averaged 261,670 downloads a week during its first month.
The Ricky Gervais Show will be included in the 2007 edition of the Guinness World Records' book - as long as no other podcast tops it before it is published in the autumn.
"The podcast is the thing we have most fun with at the moment - more than Extras, The Office, or The Simpsons," said Gervais.
"Karl wanted to charge a quid [for each show] and now we have got 5 million downloads. He is gutted. He gave up his job to do this. I might give him something."
The podcast debuted on Guardian Unlimited in December 2005 and regularly tops the iTunes podcasting chart, beating the likes of Radio 1 breakfast host Chris Moyles.
Gervais admitted his show had a headstart because The Office is broadcast in 80 countries around the world and because his show is one of the first podcasts of its type. "It's a bit like Alexander Graham Bell getting the biggest telephone bill," he said.
But he added that he was delighted with the world record. "I used to read it every year as a kid. It's easy to get in if you are prepared to run 100 metres with a milk bottle on your head."
Gervais's podcast is currently on episode 10 of a 12-week run on Guardian Unlimited. "We would like to carry on even if we have to take a break," he said. "We have to get down to Extras soon."
As well as a second series of the BBC2 show, Gervais has also written an episode of The Simpsons and will make a cameo appearance in the Ben Stiller movie Night at the Museum, returning the Hollywood star's favour after he appeared in Extras.
"This new podcasting achievement shows there is always scope for record breaking," said Craig Glenday, the editor of Guinness World Records. "We're pleased to welcome Ricky and his team to the Guinness World Records hall of fame. It's got a certain ring to it: Amundsen, Armstrong, Hillary ... Gervais."
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