Ricky Gervais leaves Bob Geldof stoney-faced as he ridicules Band Aid star’s appearance in awkward interview
Ricky Gervais’ joke at Bob Geldof’s expense left the BBC One Show studio in awkward silence as the Band Aid star appeared to take the jibe badly during Monday’s episode.
Gervais, 63, was appearing on the popular magazine programme to promote his upcoming stand-up tour, Mortality.
Discussing the morbid title of his tour, Gervais described his philosophy on humour with One Show hosts Alex Jones and Angellica Bell.
“All comedy is saying is we’re all idiots; we’re all going to die. So, enjoy life,” the 63-year-old said.
He explained that tackling difficult issues with humour was essential as comedy “puts people at ease”.
However, one person who was not necessarily at ease with Gervais’ jokes was Geldof, who sat with the comedian on The One Show sofa.
When asked about his comedic journey, the Office star revealed he gave himself six months to “give this a go” when he was made redundant in his late 30s.
“It sort of worked out… I mean, I could be sleeping in a car now, you know what I mean?” Gervais said, motioning towards Geldof and adding: “Like him.”
A tense moment followed as Bell put her head in her hands and the comedian looked over to Geldof to see him completely stoney-faced.
Gradually, a tiny smile crept across the Band Aid star’s lips and Gervais exploded in laughter.
“People were just stunned by Foregone Conclusion,” Geldof shot back, referencing Gervais’ character in The Office’s hapless musical efforts.
It may also have been a dig to the Reading comedian’s own brief time in the music industry with his one-hit wonder duo, Seona Dancing.
The pair laughed together and the brief, but tense, moment was forgotten.
During the interview, Geldof revealed he shared a similar outlook to Gervais regarding humour and serious subjects like death.
“Why do we keep saying he passed as a euphemism? All these ways to avoid saying it,” he began.
“Comedy in life is living it. It is farcical in the end,” he concluded.
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This is the second time Gervais’ jokes have ruffled feathers this week.
On Sunday, the comedian mocked Jaguar’s divisive new ad campaign by parroting it’s “copy nothing” slogan to advertise his own brand of Vodka.