Comedian Ricky Gervais has revisited a bizarre episode from 2021, where his flippant response to a late-night TV host's question led to headlines branding him a 'psychopath'. The incident involved a dying wish to be fed to the lions at London Zoo, a request the zoo formally declined.
The Interview That Started It All
Gervais recalled the origin of the story during the promotion of his latest Netflix stand-up special, 'Ricky Gervais: Mortality'. He was asked a question during an interview, which he has since identified as being with US host Conan O'Brien, about what he wanted to happen to his body after death. Feeling the question was intrusive, Gervais decided to give a deliberately outrageous answer.
'I thought it was rude, so I gave a fake answer,' Gervais explained. He vividly described a scenario where his 'big, fat, dead, naked, bloated body' would be wheeled into the lion's den at London Zoo for tourists to witness. He even detailed how the lions might begin their feast, painting an absurdly graphic picture.
When a Joke Becomes News
To the comedian's surprise, the story gained traction. London Zoo officially responded to the media inquiry, reportedly stating that Gervais would be 'too gristly' for their lions and refusing the request. This formal rejection turned his off-the-cuff joke into a global news item.
'So when the article came out, the headline was 'London Zoo refuse Ricky’s request to be fed to lions.' Like I’m a f**king psychopath,' Gervais quipped. The whole experience underscored the unpredictable nature of how offhand comments can be taken seriously by the media.
The Philosophy Behind the Humour
This anecdote feeds directly into the themes of his new Netflix special, which contemplates life and death with his signature dark, unsentimental humour. For Gervais, the saga's core message is simple: 'You can’t worry about what happens after you die. Live your life. Let someone else worry. You’re dead. You’ve done your bit.'
The special, Ricky Gervais: Mortality, is available to stream now on Netflix, offering fans more of the comedian's unflinching takes on the human condition.
