The Podfather Trilogy
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 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.
Quotes:
"She was your bog standard old woman." - Karl on a recently deceased neighbor
"There's too much fruit about." - Karl on agricultural excess
"There was some woman in a cafe the other week that I was sat in. She sat down with a mate and was talking loudly, going on about 'Oh, the baby's lovely! It's got lovely big eyes, and really big hands and feet!' Now that doesn't sound like a nice baby to me. I felt like saying it sounds like a frog." - Karl on ugly babies
"Do you think Halloween will get more popular [in the UK] if they find out ghosts are real?" - Karl during a discussion of America's obsession with Halloween
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.
Quotes:
"I don't like fun." - Karl sums himself up
"I wouldn't put a date on Pancake Tuesday. Just have 'em when you want." - Karl has a problem with holidays
RICKY: "How old are you?"
KARL: "I'm thirty-... thirty-three."
RICKY: "Right. Sorry to start off with such a hard question."
"I was still using my eyes even though I had 'em shut." - Karl reveals a possible superpower
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.
Quotes:
"You don't normally see a fat beetle... But now that's gonna happen because they're eating sugary stuff." - Karl foresees drastic changes to the insect world
"...and they were obviously all like 'oh, we've got biscuit!'" - Karl talking of grubs taking some of his biscuit
"[Squirrels] aren't happy with acorns anymore; they want a bit of croissant." - Karl thinks animals are acquiring a taste for human food
"I saw a cockroach playing Pacman." - Karl
"I thought it might be worth getting some condoms because it's Christmas party season... and you never know when you're gonna run out of balloons." - Steve