Guide To...Previews

To promote the release of The Ricky Gervais Guide To... series, Ricky, Steve, Karl recorded several short podcasts in late 2008/early 2009, released via iTunes and through various national publications, the previews featured a mixture of clips from the forthcoming Audiobooks as well as brand new material.

Previews

Medicine

10th December 2008

Ricky introduces the preview, reveals the format of The Guide to... series and introduces a clip of them discussing those who help disabled people have sex. They discuss what further subjects they may cover in the series mentioning Natural History. Ricky brings up his perennial Wittgenstein quote about not being able to understand a lion and asks what Karl thinks about it; Karl reckons he could understand a lion, as it is not that different, however he would have trouble understanding a worm. Ricky asks what animal would Karl be scared of if it could speak to him, Ricky suggests a crocodile and Karl retorts with an owl.

Natural History

1st January 2009

Ricky and Steve discuss their credentials in discussing natural history, Ricky mentions dropping biology after two weeks at University and their "ace-in-the-hole" being they have an actual chimp to talk to - Karl Pilkington. They play a clip of Karl describing his perfect animal, made up of an armadillo, a slug, an owl and peacock feathers, Ricky and Steve quickly see the flaws in his design and Karl finds a few himself.

The Arts

1st February 2009

Ricky sums up the audiobook as them discussing everything from Da Vinci through to everyday art people use to brighten up their lives. On the way to recording the preview, Ricky spotted a security van outside a bank, through the window he could see a nudey picture on the wall, presumably in case one of the men needs to pleasure himself and is not allowed to do it at home. Steve questions the need for such pictures in the workplace, but theorises robbers may be distracted by them. Ricky introduces a clip of Karl discussing the mirrored wall in his flat and reveals that Karl sees no merit in art. Karl believes his mirror is superior to art, as the view changes every day as his appearance does, it also allows him to chat to his girlfriend Suzanne without moving his neck. He then elaborates on Miss Piggy who similarly communicated through a mirror whilst shoplifting biscuits. Ricky remarks on Karl's recent weight gain and the redness of his head since returning from a holiday in the sun, which has left him with a "head like a fucking edam", Karl also had trouble with insects in his hotel and saw something that was the smallest thing he had ever seen, "frogwise".

The Guardian

18th February 2009

Ricky asks Karl is he reads The Guardian, Karl does, much to Steve's surprise, but not every page. Karl reviews the sort of thing he might enjoy reading in the paper, such as advice on what to do when eating slugs, apparently one should leave them for three days before eating them. Ricky questions the veracity of this information, if you are desperate enough to eat slugs, why wait three days? Ricky and Steve suggest people are more likely to cut back on holidays, school fees and second cars before they resort to eating slugs. Ricky takes Karl to task for wasting food by going shopping every day rather than doing one big shop, Karl likes going out every day as it gives him something to do, Ricky and Steve find this incredibly sad. Karl bites back by claiming Ricky is out of touch, and asks him how much a pineapple is, Ricky does not know! Karl does though, as he has been researching, £1.95 or 3 for £3.00, which he thought was dear, although it is the same price as the forthcoming audiobook. Ricky ponders whether people would rather have a pineapple or an audiobook. They play the mirrored wall/Miss Piggy clip.

Shortlist Magazine

26th February 2009

Philosophy

9th March 2009

The English

4th April 2009

Society

27th October 2009

Downloads

Medicine Preview
Natural History Preview
The Arts Preview
The Guardian Podcast
Shortlist Magazine Podcast
Philosophy Preview
The English Preview
Society Preview
Law and Order Preview

Forum Discussion

Medicine
Natural History
The Arts
The Guardian
Shortlist Magazine
Philosophy
The English
Society
Law and Order

External Links

Shortlist article
Guardian article
Illustrated video of Ricky, Steve and Karl's credit crunch discussion