movies/tv Should we laugh at Karl Pilkington?

[Nit Pick 247]

For those who don't know, Karl Pilkington is a tv personality that is defined as an idiot and was a part of a show on HBO\Channel 4.  The show was called The Ricky Gervais show.  It started off as a radio show, then pod casts, then an animated show.

 

↓ Here's a video of Karl now.

 

 

My problem with the show is how Ricky Gervais has pointless conversations with him about anything.  Just to show how 'dumb' Karl is.  Fact is, yes, he has had some misconceptions about alot of things but that I feel doesn't entail him to be labeled as an idiot.  I empathize with the guy.  I made a lot of mistakes as he did, mostly saying the wrong wording.

 

I can't find Karl or Ricky to be funny.  I just see Ricky Gervais as a bully (I'm not labeling him as a bully, but I just don't see Karl and Ricky being friends).  Ricky does a lot of bully-ish verbal abuse to Karl).  Karl says alot of smart things, they're just worded funny. Am I wrong for thinking this? Am I just a stick in the mud that can't laugh at something so ingeniously funny as an uneducated man being picked on?  Am I just as stupid as Karl Pilkington?

 

^{Also I'm not sure if this goes in the debate pit, general discussion or media...}

[sweetolebob18 728]

Since the dawn of sit coms, a large portion of them depend on one or more characters being a dang fool. Look at the Simpsons, for instance.  Homer is a horrible human being & yet it's funny.  I've never seen the show (no cable), so I can't say if they are over the line or not.

[shykel 11]

i think he (atleast) partially acts that way so that makes me feel better about laughing at him. he was also quite funny for me to watch years ago when i was going through stuff because i knew back then if i was in his shoes, i would have also referred to the great wall of china as the 'alright wall of china' 

 

to be honest it wouldn't be funny at all if i knew it was hurting or upsetting him, but he can freely talk about himself and his feelings on anything, probably gets paid a lot and entertaining millions must make him feel good too

Edited January 4, 2015 by shykel

[MsMegan91 117]

I'm not convinced that the whole "uneducated and dumb" thing isn't an act. 

If he genuinely is that ignorant to other cultures/experiences, he should be pitied.

[NotoriousSMALL 1,984]

I have my suspicions that him being that stupid is an act, solely because I don't see how someone could be that ignorant, but sometimes his stuff isnt as stupid as ricky makes it out to be, like I remember him one time talking about how he was pondering what bugs would think about, I mean there's better stuff to do with your time but come on it doesn't make you an idiot.

I still find him funny anyways.

[Phoenix Flair 332]

Karl Pilkington is a riot.  I have never laughed so hard as when I first saw Idiot Abroad.  You are right, though, he isn't an idiot.  His mind just works differently, and that's what makes him so hilarious.  I subscribe to the belief that people laugh when they learn, and so someone who offers new perspectives is in the best position to be humorous.  I bought one of his books a bit ago, and that is the first time I have ever actually laughed out loud while reading a book.

 

As for Ricky, he's a bit grating, but I don't see him as a bully.  I think maybe he's a little oblivious and some of his beliefs are misguided, but as for being apparently harsh with Karl, I think we've all just got to realize that everyone's got a different dynamic with their friends.  Also, if Karl was really bothered by the way Ricky acted, I'm sure he wouldn't have anything more to do with him.

 

So yes, I think Karl Pilkington is very funny, and I'm glad that he's out there pushing the boundaries of humor.  Even if most of that seems unintentional.  

[Chigens and Kay 3,832]

Thread has been locked by OP's request.