Radio's future can be even better than its past. Making Waves, the new book by Mark Ramsey, can help any broadcaster navigate a world of endless competition. An action plan for the future plus expert advice from Seth Godin, Douglas Rushkoff, Joe Jaffe, and many more. Read the "Making Radio Hilarious" - an Interview with Ricky Gervais
A No-Nonsense Marketing Smart Tip
January 18, 2005
Ricky Gervais is a King of Comedy. After a hugely successful radio career in the UK, Ricky co-created and starred in the original British version of The Office, and went on to do it all over again in HBO's Extras.
He's the winner of two Golden Globes and now - between seasons on Extras - he's doing one of the funniest and most popular podcasts in the world - four million downloads and counting.
I talked with Ricky to get some clues about how he creates such funny content, why he is podcasting, and what radio folks can learn from his creative process.
This interview is for any talent who aspires to comedy greatness. It's for any GM who's trying to recognize what talent looks like. It's for any radio group who would kill ideas because they pre-test poorly before an audience really gets used to them. It's for anyone trying to break into radio with something original only to have doors slam shut in their face. It's for anyone who has ever tried to create anything against seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
I was going to provide you a transcript of the interview like I usually do, but I changed my mind. You can't possibly appreciate how funny this is unless you take 18 minutes and actually listen to it.
So listen to it. And pass it along to everyone you know.
Radio will be better for it..
MP3 File
A Final Word...Ricky's people have asked me to tell you that he is not, strictly speaking, available for interviews.
It must have been my magnetic personality
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I can't wait to listen to this Mark. Great job snaggin an interview with Ricky.
Perhaps this isn't appropriate to this post - but it occured to me after reading this entry that radio folk almost always associates "entertaining" with "funny".
So we have loads and loads of morning shows and "DJs' who try to be funny. Some are - most . . . .well.
I heard (quite by accident) about 20 minutes of Tom Leykis's new show "The Tasting Room" this weekend. Gone was the schtick, the put on - the over-bearing personality and wit - in was Tom as a person talking about something EVERYONE can relate to - FOOD and DRINK in a respectable, informative and entertaing way. I kinda dug it.
It was pleasing to hear something on FM radio other than 10 in a row of every song ya know - or Giggles & Chuckles and the Rad Morning Madhouse.
Posted by: Jeff Schmidt | January 17, 2006 at 10:24 AM
Ricky and I talked about your "funny" issue, Jeff.
Hear for yourself.
Posted by: Mark Ramsey | January 17, 2006 at 10:29 AM
I couldn't agree more...
Funny is ALWAYS entertaining, but entertianing isn't ALWAYS funny.
Posted by: Paul Adams | January 17, 2006 at 08:11 PM
Just listen.
Posted by: Mark Ramsey | January 17, 2006 at 08:19 PM