The BEST episodes written by Stephen Merchant
#1 - The Year
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 3 - Episode 13
Topics include Karl’s thoughts on the insect world; and Stephen’s embarrassment when buying condoms. Also: entries from Karl’s diary about cutting avocados, dating twins and visiting his parents. Series finale.
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#2 - World Cup
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 3 - Episode 12
Ricky and Stephen reminisce about watching the World Cup in a hotel room, and the awkward situation of sharing the bed. Karl, Ricky and Stephen discuss the problem of overzealous sports fans, as well as cheating in sports and life. Ricky shares the story of when he tried out for soccer as a kid; Karl recounts how he recently tested how much saliva he could produce.
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#3 - Robert Lindsay & Jonathan Ross
Extras - Season 2 - Episode 6
Andy has a new celebrity pal, chat show host Jonathan Ross. His friendship with Maggie is under strain and he's just about had enough of his useless agent. When Andy is pressed into visiting a sick child in hospital by a pushy mum, Andy meets Robert Lindsay who is less than impressed when the child and mum fail to recall his 70's sitcom. Andy is ready to fire his agent, however is offered a chance to meet his idol, Robert De Niro. Will Andy abandon his real friends to meet his hero?
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#4 - Episode 2
Life's Too Short - Season 1 - Episode 2
Warwick makes a humiliating guest appearance at a Star Wars wedding, but his fortune rises when Johnny Depp hires him to research a new movie role.
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#5 - David Bowie
Extras - Season 2 - Episode 2
Andy is realising that fame is not all it is cracked up to be when his sitcom receives terrible reviews. The public provide him with encouragement when he's recognised by a homeless man and his "biggest fan" in a pub. However, when Andy and his friends head to a classy bar, he discovers that even David Bowie wants to mock him, in the form of a song "the little fat man who sold his soul".
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#6 - Kate Winslet
Extras - Season 1 - Episode 3
Kate Winslet hopes her role as a nun in a film about the Second World War will guarantee her an Oscar. However, her meeting with Andy and Maggie leads her into a very embarrassing situation. Andy also finds himself in an embarrassing situation when a date with a fellow extra doesn't quite turn out as expected.
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#7 - Law & Order
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 3 - Episode 7
Topics include Karl's views on capital punishment; Ricky's observance of the Ten Commandments; and how Karl would deal with a hostage situation.
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#8 - Noises
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 1 - Episode 12
Stephen asks Karl questions posed to guests on "Inside the Actors Studio, leading to a discussion of organ donation. From Karl's diary: A news report from India about an elephant who had a giant pair of slippers, and Karl's belief that scientists should give up trying to kill germs because it will only make them stronger and bigger.
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#9 - Armed Forces
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 3 - Episode 3
Karl explains why he'd like to join the Army and recounts his most harrowing acts of bravery.
#10 - Earth
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 3 - Episode 9
Topics include the origins of the universe and the evolution of creatures other than humans. Also: Karl discusses the downside of recycling; world travel; and restroom encounters.
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#11 - Route 66
An Idiot Abroad - Season 2 - Episode 6
Karl wants to drive along the legendary Route 66 in the USA in an open top Cadillac but Ricky and Steve have other ideas. Along the way they want him join a high school choir, hang out with New Age therapists, meet the Amish before ending his journey by Wingwalking.
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#12 - Training
The Office - Season 1 - Episode 4
Wernham Hogg, Slough branch are having a training day. Rowan, an outside consultant tries his best. Dawn has other things on her mind...
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#13 - Dolphins
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 1 - Episode 4
Karl admits he's getting a face rub at a spa, but frets he'll end up getting an enema as well. Also: A discussion about the customs of undocumented tribes in New Guinea. Ricky and Karl's recent trip to an antiquities store, where Karl wondered, "What's the newest thing you've got?" An e-mail from an Australian fan insisting there are dangerous armed dolphins ready to do battle. In "Monkey News," Karl recounts the marital regrets of a sympathetic zookeeper who brings home a lonely monkey.
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#14 - Dolphin Swim
An Idiot Abroad - Season 2 - Episode 3
Karl gets the chance to swim with some dolphins but with Ricky and Steve as the holiday planners there are a few surprises.
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#15 - Meet a Gorilla
An Idiot Abroad - Season 2 - Episode 5
Karl heads of to Africa to go meet a Gorilla. Before he travels to Uganda, Karl agreed to start in South Africa as he’s been there on holiday he heard it was alright. Ricky and Steve want Karl to have an authentic African experience so they arrange some time in a slum with a family and helping a charity rebuild a shelter. Karl visits Jessica the Hippo who lives with a family and Ricky sends him to join a Rhino conservation project before heading off traveling through the impenetrable forest in Uganda before coming ‘face to face’ with a Gorilla.
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#16 - The English
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 3 - Episode 6
Ricky, Stephen and Karl share their definitions of what it means to be an Englishman. Also: Karl explains why, if he wasn't English, he'd rather be Italian.
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#17 - Karl Comes Home
An Idiot Abroad - Season 2 - Episode 8
Karl is reunited with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant after returning home and he reflects on his experiences. There are also a few surprises.
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#18 - Episode 7
Life's Too Short - Season 1 - Episode 7
Warwick attends a charity event in the hope of hanging out with celebrities. However, in trying to impress Sting he ends up spending more than he can afford. Consequently he has to look for a new home and hopes Amy will see him again.
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#19 - Medicine
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 3 - Episode 8
Topics include Karl's thoughts on medical advancements; sickness; and an idea for a machine that would enable physicians to feel their patients' pain.
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#20 - Comic Relief
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 3 - Episode 2
Topics include Karl's thoughts on wills and suggestion of marriage as a tax shelter. Also: Stephen recalls a costume from his childhood; Karl pitches an idea for charitable pursuits.
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#21 - Climb Mount Fuji
An Idiot Abroad - Season 2 - Episode 7
Karl’s last “thing to do” is seeing Japan’s most spiritual destination: Mount Fuji. On arrival in Japan Karl gets lost in Tokyo. Ricky and Steve put him up in a ‘capsule’ hotel, send him to a Sumo wrestling stable, arrange for Karl to meet a Zen Master and send him on the world’s steepest rollercoaster. And he has to attempt to climb Mount Fuji.
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#22 - Les Dennis
Extras - Season 1 - Episode 4
Andy gets a break when he lands the part of the Genie in Aladdin alongside Les Dennis. Andy soon finds himself in a dilemma when he sees Les' young fiancé in a compromising position with a stage hand. Andy decides to tell (a naked) Les what he has seen.
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#23 - Charity
The Office - Season 2 - Episode 5
It's Comic Relief Day and the staff of Werhnam Hogg all do their bit to raise money including Dawn, whose 'kisses for 1' stand finally provides Tim with the opportunity he's been waiting for. But when David can only produce a draft of his new gameshow concept in place of an important company report, Neil and Jennifer draw the line and inform him that he is being made redundant.
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#24 - Knob at Night
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 1 - Episode 2
Stephen shares a news story about 42 midget warriors who were mutilated by a single lion in a Cambodian ring fight, as well as the latest email from a fan, Paul "The Party Animal" Parker, who describes a Serbian man who invented a sex machine for women. Karl ponders how to avoid being conned into donating to charities. That conversation segues into a discussion of sex and butt plugs. A dialogue about America's first nudist organization leads Ricky to critique naked gym jocks, inspiring a revelation from Karl. The guys debate if there is ever a good time to eat the penis of a kangaroo? In Monkey News: A pair of chimps are shot to death after viciously attacking a male visitor to an animal sanctuary, targeting his nose, limbs and genitals.
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#25 - The Fight
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 1 - Episode 10
Topics include: school curricula; physical altercations; human anatomy; whistling and happiness; birds and flight; Karl's thoughts on doppelgangers and the Big Bang; and the origins of the universe. Also: a "Monkey News" segment about eye surgery.
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#26 - Interview
The Office - Season 2 - Episode 6
Although slightly peeved that the staff seem to be taking his redundancy in their stride, David's spirits remain high as he plans his future while also being interviewed for an article in 'Inside Paper'. Tim takes drastic action when he learns that Dawn has resigned in order to move to the USA with boyfriend Lee. However, when David is told that his services as a motivational speaker are also no longer required he sinks to his lowest ebb and begs Neil to reconsider the dismissal. But is it too late?
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#27 - Ben Stiller
Extras - Season 1 - Episode 1
Andy and Maggie are playing extras in the film Ben Stiller is directing, which is based on the life of Goran, an Eastern European man whose wife and son were killed in the Balkans War. Andy attempts to get a speaking part by befriending Goran, who eventually gets Andy a spoken line. However, Andy gets in an argument with Stiller just before shooting his scene and is kicked off the set. Maggie, meanwhile, takes an interest in one of the crew but it goes wrong after Andy points out that her would-be beau has one leg shorter than the other.
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#28 - Sir Ian McKellen
Extras - Season 2 - Episode 5
While searching for credibility Andy gets a part in a play directed by Sir Ian McKellen. He soon discovers the play 'A Month of Summers', is the tale of love between two men and becomes uncomfortable with the part. Andy finds himself in a personally difficult situation when some old school friends come to see his performance.
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#29 - Orlando Bloom
Extras - Season 2 - Episode 1
Andy Millman is very excited at the prospect of his sitcom 'When the Whistle Blows', being made by the BBC. He wants it to be realistic and something the audience can relate to. However, the BBC have other ideas making Andy's character wear a wig and silly glasses. It's not long before the comedy is totally different to Andy's original idea. Meanwhile, Maggie is an extra on Orlando Blooms latest movie. Orlando is obsessed with himself and with Maggie. But she doesn't fancy him at all.
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#30 - Samuel L. Jackson
Extras - Season 1 - Episode 5
Andy is trying to avoid a fellow extra who is 'dull'. When the extra helps to get Andy a line of dialogue, Andy mentions he 'owes him one'. The extra suggests that they should go out for a meal to return the favour. Meanwhile, Maggie is going out of her way to show she isn't racist, whilst on a date with a black actor.
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#31 - Whale Watching
An Idiot Abroad - Season 2 - Episode 4
Karl isn’t really prepared for the arctic conditions in Alaska. Ricky and Steve have also planned some dog sledding, a meeting with Innuits and a visit to the North Pole. When Karl finally gets to catch his whale watching cruise, he learns that Ricky and Steve have stuck him on a deep sea fishing trawler.
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#32 - Charity
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 1 - Episode 3
Adding to his wish list of improbable inventions, Karl offers up a serum that ages dead people backwards. Also up for discussion: Do African families really want goats as charitable gifts? Is a space flight worth the money and effort? If you could have any super power, what would it be? How rare is it to see a Chinese homeless person? In "Monkey News," a Moscow network fired so many employees it had to hire a chimp to host a talk show, with Cher as one of the guests.
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#33 - Glass Houses
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 1 - Episode 5
Karl answers questions from fans; Karl deciphers the true meaning of sayings; Karl’s New Year’s resolution; “Monkey News.”
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#34 - New Girl
The Office - Season 1 - Episode 5
Brent decides to take on a new secretary despite the spectre of redundancies in the Slough branch. He can choose between some bloke that's turned up for interview and a pretty young blonde. The day is rounded off with a trip to Chasers nightclub...
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#35 - Merger
The Office - Season 2 - Episode 1
As a result of the Swindon merger, a group of new staff arrive at Slough branch and David wastes no time in familiarising them with his unique style of management. Meanwhile, Tim seems to be taking his promotion very seriously.
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#36 - Party
The Office - Season 2 - Episode 3
A colleague's birthday provides a welcome distraction for the employees of Wernham Hogg and leads to a series of practical jokes at the expense of David and Gareth. Meanwhile, David's growing frustrations with new boss Neil constantly looking over his shoulder are somewhat alleviated by the arrival of two representatives from a public speaking company who seem keen to recruit him.
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#37 - Episode 5
Life's Too Short - Season 1 - Episode 5
Warwick seeks spiritual guidance, and following a visit to the dating agency where he met his wife, he embarks on a quest to find a new partner.
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#38 - Bryan's Brain
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 3 - Episode 1
Topics for the third-season premiere include Karl's theory on museum collections; an invention for a mug coaster; and a fashion-trend disappointment. Also: Karl's movie idea about a man whose brain is transplanted into Tom Cruise's body.
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#39 - Episode 6
Life's Too Short - Season 1 - Episode 6
Warwick throws a party in his new apartment to show it to his ex-wife and his new date Amy. But when Cat Deeley shows up, he can't resist being a player, and no one is impressed.
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#40 - The Convict
The Office (US) - Season 3 - Episode 9
Michael tries to be supportive when he finds out one of his new employees -- presumably someone from the Stamford branch -- has a prison record.
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#41 - Cobblers
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 1 - Episode 6
After receiving a fan letter asking what body part he could live without, Karl recalls when he tried to wash the dishes without using his thumbs. Other fan mail questions: If Karl could be anyone in the world, who would he be? What does he think of the philosopher Descartes? What does he make of the saying “a stitch in time saves nine”? In “Monkey News,” a builder complains when he discovers a chimp working at a new construction site, only to be told the chimp is a good worker.
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#42 - Trans-Siberian Express
An Idiot Abroad - Season 2 - Episode 2
Karl takes a trip on the Trans-Siberian Express. He is expecting luxury, but Ricky and Steve have other ideas for the trip.
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#43 - Work Experience
The Office - Season 1 - Episode 2
A new girl arrives on work experience. The day is brightened up even more by a doctored picture of David Brent that's been e-mailed around the office. Cue Gareth Keenan Special Investigator...
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#44 - Motivation
The Office - Season 2 - Episode 4
David's preparations for his first motivational training seminar that evening don't get off to the perfect start when he first discovers the staff's new nicknames for him that are doing the rounds and then receives another reprimand from Neil for neglecting his duties. Meanwhile, Tim and Rachel finally go public with their relationship, much to the dismay of Gareth.
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#45 - Freaks
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 1 - Episode 13
Another question for Karl from "Inside the Actors Studio": "If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you enter the pearly gates?" From Karl's diary: A news report that humans will have spoken to aliens by the year 2025 leads him to worry that aliens will try to read his mind, while a story about a baby who looked like a frog makes Karl think life would be more interesting if there were different types of humans. Plus, Karl's top five freaks.
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#46 - Episode 6
The Outlaws - Season 1 - Episode 6
Even with redemption seemingly in reach, the outlaws find their time running out, and the net closing around them. They face a stark choice — die apart, or survive together?
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#47 - Room 102
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 3 - Episode 4
Topics include Room 102, based on George Orwell's Room 101 from "1984"; an idea for stopping overweight people from eating late-night snacks; and what Karl would take to a desert island.
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#48 - Patrick Stewart
Extras - Season 1 - Episode 6
Andy has written a script for a sitcom. While working on a production with Patrick Stewart, he gives him the script and asks if he can help by passing it on to people in the business. Stewart is able to "make it so". The BBC shows interest and Andy is asked to write a pilot. While working on the script with an editor from the BBC, who Andy finds difficult to tolerate because he is "too gay", Andy makes the mistake of mentioning this to Maggie.
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#49 - Nuts
The Ricky Gervais Show - Season 1 - Episode 8
A fan letter asks Karl: If he were on a sinking ship, and could only save either Ricky or Stephen, who would he choose? Karl finds a news report that hedgehogs will be extinct by 2025. Also up for discussion: the story of a man who has a transplanted kidney from a woman and now claims he has an increased interest in housework. In "Monkey News": The owner of an airline reportedly hired a monkey to fly as co-pilot during a strike.
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#50 - The Dinner
Hello Ladies - Season 1 - Episode 4
Stuart and Jessica are invited to a dinner party and Stuart ditches Wade to go. Since he's on his own, Wade convinces Kives to party at Stuart's house with him.
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