Ricky Gervais: ‘I didn’t really need fame… I was never impressed by fame, per se’

THR gervais

Ricky Gervais covers the new issue of The Hollywood Reporter, and my eyes crossed when I tried to wade through the interview. THR basically just recorded his stream-of-consciousness ramblings and instead of editing any of it, they just transcribed all of it. It’s a major headache, but I tried to pull some of the more interesting quotes that I could find (I gave up about halfway through though). You can read the full piece here. He’s promoting his Netflix show, Derek, about a kind-hearted nursing home employee. The show has been nominated for 21 Emmys this year alone. So, that’s what all of this is about. The television academy loves Ricky and everything he does, so he agreed to do some promotion for Derek.

Humor and honesty: “My mom was just very honest, but without knowing it, and that was funny. I liked that. When I was almost 13, I said to my mom, ‘Why are my brothers and sisters so much older than me?’ And she went, ‘Because you were a mistake.’ I just laughed — I got why it was funny, that it was honest, and I knew she had old people rights to say those things.”

On fame: “Well, I suppose because I didn’t care for it — in fact, I feared it and, yet, I was fascinated with it. I have done quite a study, and I think that, for many reasons, I didn’t really need fame, you know? I was never impressed by fame, per se. I was never impressed with people who were just famous; I was impressed with what people have done, and fame was not a part of what they did, you know?”

15 minutes of fame: “Andy Warhol could never have thought how prophetic his phrase was, but it’s gotten worse and worse and I can’t see an end to it. I mean, soon, everyone’s going to be famous and we’re not going to have any doctors. It’s like everyone wants to win X Factor and Pop Idol and soon, half the nation are going to be singing and people are going to be dying on the streets because no one will be able to treat them. [laughs] I mean, I don’t know what this thing is, “I want to be famous so let me” and we will go, “Okay.” I mean, what can you do? I mean, there was a survey amongst 10-year-olds, a university survey a few years ago, and they asked them what they wanted to be, and they said, “Famous.”

In real life: “There’s a thing called Secret Millionaire, I don’t know if you’ve got it in America? The secret millionaire goes to a rundown place, a society somewhere in a rundown area, and he finds the people that are working for charity. The thing that I always noted is the people that are most selfless and spend most of the time working for underprivileged people with problems are underprivileged with problems themselves — and they don’t see it. It’s like, it’s always a surprise. They say to them, “But you need the money.” They go, “Oh no, I’m fine.” And you think, “Wow.” And then you see celebrities that won’t do a charity unless they film it, you know?”

[From The Hollywood Reporter]

I remember… it must have been last year or the year before, right after Ricky sort of bombed hosting the Golden Globes. It was the year where he was just sort of mean and nasty to various celebrities, and Ricky appeared on The Graham Norton Show and he was trying to play it like he didn’t care AND that no one was really mad. Carey Mulligan was on the same show and she had been at the Globes and she said, no, people really were pissed at him. The way Ricky played the whole thing… it made me think that he does care. He does want to be “accepted” in some way. He wants those Emmys. He wants to be famous. He enjoys it. But he also hates that part of himself that enjoys it.

THR3

Photos courtesy of THR.

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48 Responses to “Ricky Gervais: ‘I didn’t really need fame… I was never impressed by fame, per se’”

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  1. Dani2 says:

    Everybody in Hollywood cares, so I’m not buying this whole “I don’t care about fame” thing.

    • Kiddo says:

      I’ll take a stab here and say that I think he meant ‘fame’ for fame alone, not as a byproduct of actual work or craft.

      • Dani2 says:

        Whoops, you’re totally right. I pretty much agree with what he says in all his interviews so I was like, “what? Be honest Ricky”. But I see what you mean, he must not be a fan of the Kardashians then lol.

      • Lady Macbeth (Hiddles F.) says:

        Yes kiddo, I also had understood fame as byproduct of work and craft.
        I didn’t like him, however he is growing on me 🙂

      • maybeiamcrazy says:

        I agree Kiddo. Fame is a byproduct of work, craft, money, awards and everything in between. Actors want those things so they have to accept that fame comes with it even if they are not particularly interested.

  2. It is what it is says:

    I like Ricky a lot. He has donated time and money to so many animal help charities around the globe, the show Derek was truly groundbreaking in its subject matter and approach to humor, and he’s been with the same woman for years. Love him.

    • Sullivan says:

      I like him, too.

    • eliza says:

      Me too. Plus he was the only one who could get me to watch an awards show.

      • We Are All Made of Stars says:

        Right, he didn’t bomb the hosting thing. He was fresh, he was shocking, his potshots were mostly hilarious, he pissed off all the egomaniacs of Hollywood, and he drew amazing ratings! What could there not be to love?

    • Ag says:

      i really like him too, for all the reasons you’ve mentioned.

      his podcasts with stephen and karl are hilarious, and have gotten me though many a boring/tough time at work.

      and, i thought that his golden globes appearance was hilarious – but none of those people were amused because he wasn’t kissing their a$$es, which is what they look for and are used to.

      • Algernon says:

        Remember Taylor Swift’s face when Tiny & Amy told a joke on her? 99% of them can’t take a joke.

      • sigh((s)) says:

        Exactly. I adore Ricky Gervais because he says what everyone else is thinking and he’s not an ass kisser. Everyone I know who saw the Golden Globes thought he was hilarious. It was only the narcissistic celebrities who were pissed. It was nice to see them brought back down to earth, personally.
        He loves animals, he’s unapologetic for his (non) religious beliefs and he’s funny as $hit. What’s not to love?

    • TheOriginalKitten says:

      He’s awesome. He’s clever, witty, intelligent, and has a really good heart underneath the snarky exterior.

      Plus, on a personal level, I love that he’s an outspoken and unapologetic atheist. One of few celebs that isn’t ashamed to say so.

      • Ag says:

        me too! that’s one of the things i like the most about him, the fact that he’s an outspoken atheist. and shows people that one can be a good person without being religious (which a lot of people doubt is doable).

        and i know that his sense of humor isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but i seriously cry-laugh listening to his $hit.

    • Adrien says:

      I love Extras. It is one of my fave shows. Maybe it’s not because of Gervais but more on Stephen Merchant. I love Darren.

      • Green Girl says:

        I have been a Steve fan for YEARS and will drop what I’m doing to see him in a show. What’s he been up to?

    • littlestar says:

      I like him a lot too. Derek is such a wonderful show (makes you laugh AND cry), I had no idea it was nominated for so many Emmy’s! I didn’t think anyone really watched it, I have been recommending it to people and they are all like “yeah, yeah”. As for the Golden Globe thing, it was the only time the Globe’s were interesting – I just don’t think any of those celebrities can take a joke about themselves, and their attitudes afterwards showed how self-important a lot of them feel.

      I too like that he is an unapologetic atheist.

      • Sooloo says:

        That last line – that’s exactly why I can’t stand this guy. It’s one thing to be committed to your own (lack of) beliefs, but to belittle and condescend those who hold other tenets to be truthful is really shameful. He annoys the crap out of me, to say the least.

  3. Dorothy#1 says:

    Love him! I still miss Extras. Great show!!!

  4. Kiddo says:

    I love him (at least his persona, I don’t actually know him). I liked the excerpts from this interview and I get where he is coming from. I thought he was pretty funny on the Golden Globes, but the people in attendance weren’t too keen on laughing at themselves. He did a bit of a roast. Oh well, maybe I am mean too, but if anything breaks up the masturbatory tone of awards shows, it’s more interesting for the audience, IMO.

  5. GiGi says:

    I love him. I loved what he did at the Globes, too. And I’ve become addicted to An Idiot Abroad on Netflix – so good.

    • Dorothy#1 says:

      OMG! Idiot Abroad is sooooo funny! I love Karl, his take on things is priceless.

    • Esmom says:

      Ooh, I need to check it out. I have been considering dumping Netflix since we haven’t watched anything in months but maybe I’ll wait. Thanks for the recommendation!

      • Ag says:

        what Idiot Abroad and Derek – both are excellent. and the british Office, if you haven’t seen it. 🙂

    • GiGi says:

      I love the three- Ricky, Karl Pilkington & Stephen Merchant – at first I wasn’t sure if I’d like Idiot… but it ends up being so good in the end. Def. worth the watch!

    • mia girl says:

      Yeah, I dont think he bombed at all when he hosted the Globes. As viewers, we were all very entertained. It was the room and the actors he dared to make fun of who weren’t happy.

      I LOVE Gervais and all his many projects. Everything he does is smart, funny and meant to make you a little bit uncomfortable. I even liked that movie where he played a dentist.

      And the original Gervais, Marchant and Pilkington podcast are some of the funniest things ever.

    • littlestar says:

      An Idiot Abroad is sooooo funny!

  6. Jenny12 says:

    He is so smart and quotable.

  7. Esmom says:

    I think he’s smart and hilarious, love these excerpts. And while it’s clear he doesn’t care about fame for fame’s sake, I do think he cares image now that he is a celeb. Can’t blame the guy, it’s a necessary evil in such a cut throat industry.

  8. Harri says:

    He’s great, love his interviews.

  9. JessSaysNo says:

    Bombed at the Emmy’s? I thought he was hilarious. The celebrities hate being made fun of, of course. But that is what I liked, it was not another boring self-congratulatiory awards show. I enjoyed it and my FB feed was lit up with other who were lol-ing the entire time.

    I think Ricky is a decent celebrity, I appreciate his comedy and his realness. He makes some funny shit, too!

    • Adrien says:

      Yeah. Only the celebs in attendance were uncomfortable but us viewers were entertained.

      • Algernon says:

        I think that’s the problem with hosting award shows. Either you perform for the audience and the viewers are bored by the ass-kissing, or you perform for the viewers and the audience is upset you’re mocking them.

  10. OhMyMy says:

    I love RG. He’s my boy.

    I loved both seasons of Derek. Funny, heartwarming and a little squirmy/raunchy rolled into one. All the actors are great in it. It’s nice to see a show featuring older characters and people that well, might not be perfect (** gasp **). It’s a breath of fresh air from the stream of Kardashian and Real Housewives BS that keeps getting shoved at us.

    I follow him on twitter and he makes me smile or laugh just about every day.

  11. mkyarwood says:

    He didn’t bomb at the Emmy’s. He just isn’t playing the forever in high school game. He isn’t interested in Fame For Fame’s sake, and his work is testament to that. Derek is difficult to watch sometimes, but I’m watching it because he’s doing something new with issues that mean something to him. I really hope that burning $50 is photoshopped, tho. Hate that kind of stunt.

  12. Algernon says:

    Good on the Hollywood Reporter for sticking on the issue of actors abusing steroids. It’s beyond ridiculous.

  13. Louisa says:

    I am obsessed with Derek right now. Laughing out loud one minute and then sobbing the next. I follow RG on Facebook and he’s hilarious, open, and very committed to animal charities. Love him.

  14. Jmo says:

    Derek is amazing. And within the next decade very prescient. He’s got his finger on this ancillary pulse, bringing amazing wit and humour to things just slightly askew the typical Hollywood fare. I love everything he does and says. We are lucky to have him making entertainment that is challenging, thought-provoking and still funny as hell!

  15. kri says:

    One of the last thing I did with my dad before he passed away was binge watch Idiot Abroad. My father laughed so much…then he called me a couple days later and asked if i had ever watched “The British “Office show”, because it was so much better with Ricky in it. So, f you H’wood egos. RG made my dad laugh in his last days. I love ya, Dad. And I love Ricky.

  16. maria says:

    liar liar, pants on fire! this man is such a fame wh0re!

  17. Melanie says:

    I love this man! For anyone that’s never seen the original, British Office, please check it out. My all time favorite series, I couldn’t even watch the American version. David Brent is so cringe-inducing and unintentionally hilarious. The interactions with him and Gareth are downright hysterical.

    I didn’t think he bombed the GG’s. He told it straight and the audience couldn’t handle it. I was dying laughing from my seat on the couch. I understand he’s not everyone’s brand of humor, that’s ok. But the Hollywood types need to check themselves. They are not above reproach and every joke he made had some truth to it. Keep it up Ricky!

  18. Anastasia says:

    Derek is behind amazing. I could watch it over and over and over and still love it. And Extras was wonderful, too.