31 May 1998

31 May 1998 is the only known complete recording of the original Ricky Gervais Show on Xfm. Discrepancies in the timeline of the show reveal that it is most likely a hybrid of different recordings, although is considered to be primarily the 31st May edition.

Featuring various pre-recorded sketches, no Karl Pilkington, a more chart-heavy playlist and phone calls to Ricky's mother, the show is an embryonic version of the later 2001 - 2005 Xfm show. Though more comparable to the output of 'proper' radio DJs, the show is indicative of the unique, sometimes incomprehensible, drivel, that was to come.

Track Listing

1. Kicking Off With This Little Ditty (0:00:00)

Ricky briefly introduces the show and gives a flavour of the upcoming playlist.

2. A Lovely Berkshire Accent (0:00:00)

Steve mentions his mobile disco, briefly, before Ricky segues into wanting to reduce the swearing on the show after a warning, not from the radio authority, but from his mum who he called in the week. He plays a recording of this conversation, she complains about the swearing before Ricky winds her up with false accounts of his upbringing, it is her 73rd birthday, she implores Ricky to get Steve to stop calling him 'Gervais', insisting his correct 'handle' is Ricky, or at the least for him to pronounce Gervais properly (Jer-vay).

3. I'm In The Land Of The Brain Bottles (0:00:00)

Steve winds Ricky up about the pronounciation and about his mum using the word 'handle' instead of 'name', apparently this is because Mrs Gervais was into CB radio and was a member of a housewife gang.

4. How Do You Explain That Physique? (0:0:00)

Ricky and his mum discuss Gary Crowley, his mum feigns appreciation for Mr Crowley, they discuss pronounciation some more and Ricky makes more scandalous claims about his mother. She records an ident, and bids him farewell. Steve mocks Ricky's fear of his mum, and worries that a lack of swearing may compromise the quality of the show.

5. It's Ten Past Four (0:0:00)

Ricky does a very professional, comprehendible link.

Playlist

• Mock Turtles - Can You Dig It?
• Faith No More - From Out Of Nowhere
• Radiohead -
• Kenny Rogers -
• Jesus and Mary Chain - Black