The Podfather Trilogy

Take the podcast.
Leave the cannolis.

The Podfather Trilogy is a series of three podcasts that Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington initially gave away for free as a 'thank you' to everyone who supported the first three series of podcasts. The Podfather Trilogy was originally released by Guardian Unlimited in 2006 on Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. However in May 2008, these podcasts/gifts were re-released to make some cashmoney causing resentment from many people (see below).

The Podfather Scandal

In May 2008 Ricky Gervais decided to re-release the Podfather podcasts and charge people for them. Pilkipedia had been openly sharing these podcasts because they were 1) free and 2) "a thank you to the fans". Consequently, Glyn Hughes who runs rickygervais.com sent an email to Pilkipedia's hosting company and Pilkipedia had its account suspended. Only after Glyn Hughes had pestered the hosting company did he think to send a message directly to Pilkipedia. After a whole entire day offline, Pilkipedia was allowed to return but without the links to the Podfather podcast.

Note: Pilkipedia has never broken the law. No files are hosted on the site and it's not illegal to host links to third party sites. Furthermore, Pilkipedia has always protected Gervais' copyright and his profits by forbidding commercially available material to be traded on its site.

Episode Zero - Announcement

Length: 2:08

This was brief advert announcing the upcoming Podfather series. Ricky thanks the fans for purchasing earlier podcasts then flaunts his apartment he bought with the money. He announces the first episode will be Halloween. He says whoever is listening to get a life. He asks Karl what he thinks about them. Karl doesn't understand how they found it. Ricky then says, even though they sought it out they will still complain about the quality.

Episode One - Halloween

Tuesday 31st October 2006

Length: 37:22

Ghostly drivel abounds as Steve consults a text-based oracle. Karl experiences a kidney probing and suggests that doctors should deny the elderly medical treatment. Steve returns home to Bristol and lies to some 9-year-olds to gain their approval. Karl reluctantly becomes a godfather. Ricky tells of some lighter moments at the morgue. Karl explains the ins and outs of neurosurgery.

Episode Two - Thanksgiving

Thursday 23rd November 2006

Length: 38:58

Steve and Karl don't understand why Ricky has chosen to do this podcast on a strictly American holiday. Karl has a rant about the rigidity of holidays. Ricky asks Karl to choose five people to help him create a new society on a distant planet. Karl goes to visit a professional leg-rubber. The legendary "kicking my height" story is revisited. Steve reads some choice excerpts from Karl's diary. Plus there's another shoddy competition.

Episode Three - Christmas

Sunday 24th December 2006

Length: 43:36

Karl reflects on the past year and singles out an unlikely highlight. Steve stocks up on yuletide essentials. Karl advocates an anarchic Christmas. Karl's diary draws to a close with revelations of bothersome footwear and worry-holes. Ricky provides an emotional exit en route to the orphanage.

External Links

• Guardian Unlimited