Ricky Gervais on Loving Cats, Hating People & Staying Grounded | This Morning

Get ready to have your funny bone tickled once again because Ricky Gervais is back with a brand new comedy. But before we talk to him all about it, let's take a little look at those cats in action. We've had to scroll through there for the one clip we could show on morning TV. They swear about a half a second later. I watched the first one last night. Firstly, it's like that Hanna-Barbera style, which I loved. It took me back a little bit. And then once they start talking, if I close my eyes, it's almost like a podcast about friends chatting with each other. That's because of the way it was made. Usually with animation, you do all the animation first and then you get actors and you're alone in a booth. We were all in the same room at the same time. We did all that first. So we got all the content and then animated to that. So that's why it feels sort of real and like mates talking and swearing. How much did you have to sort of edit out? Because if you're together, you're going to be laughing. We were. Some of we leave in. But we probably got about 60 minutes to cut down to 15. So it really skips along and it's tight and it's just the best bits. But you're right, it is like a podcast with a story. And how did it come about then, Ricky? Well, I first had the idea in lockdown. My tour had been postponed. I think it was supernature. I thought I can't go anywhere. The filming of Afterlife 3 was postponed. I thought I could do an animation. I could do that over Zoom. I could do the sketches. And of course, four years later, it gets commissioned. So these things take a long time. Do you know what? You have ability to do that. Obviously, what you've done brilliant over the years. Very, very funny. But I was watching Alleycats last night and really into it. And again, it took me back at the language because I didn't compute with a cartoon, but I loved it. But you had the ability, again, to tug on the heartstrings a little bit at the end. And the music as well. It's funny, but there's always that lovely sort of heart to it. I think music is my first love. I love the fact that you've got a budget to put in great tunes. So that's thanks to Netflix there. Because usually with anything like this, even a film, the music budget is whatever's left over. But here we planned it. So I planned to that music. And you say there's a narrative arc. They're trying to find a kitten's home. And there's romance and everything. So you could watch it like a movie. That was how it was made. And I took away, there was a bit of meaning to it as well, that humans really should be doing a bit better and they should care more. It's a messaging in there on purpose. Well, I did a post today that it's weird to think that people all around the world are watching a cartoon about cats that hate people. So yeah, it's like they're at the bottom of the pile. They're scared of everything. There's electric cars. It's a cruel world. They're feral. So it's all about companionship and being a family, really. We're cat dads. Did you put any of your own cat in there? Yeah. My cat, Pickle, is a big rescue cat. She's a lovely big tabby. I know, with ginger undertones. So I just mixed her with me, a fat bloke on a couch. So look, I'm even slouching now. I've got to say, you're looking trim, actually. I'm wearing black. Oh, right. Okay. Sorry about that. That's what we were laughing at just before we came on. We were talking about that very thing. Yeah, I know. I've given up. Well, no, you're looking good. I mean, in the show, you do play a tubby little ginger cat. That's nice. Well, nice that. You took a chance there, didn't you? I feel sorry for Jeremy Hunt. And all the announcers will have to say, because they must be going, don't just say Jeremy Hunt. It's so easy. Just say Jeremy Hunt. Well, you play Gus, a tubby little ginger cat. And is Gus anything like yourself, Richard? Yeah, I hate people as well. So we've got that in common. Yeah. And there he is. Oh, look at Gus. Love Gus. Do you find you hate people because of the job you do? Because everyone comes up to you all the time and you don't have any space? No. I hate them anyway. Yeah, just in general. I just want peace and quiet. Even in my house, and it's all quiet and lovely, I still think out there are loads of people who I hate. Do you know, isn't it amazing the power of locking your front door, getting on the couch, you go, happy. I absolutely, it's my favourite thing. Yeah. It's couch, me, girlfriend, cat, wine, Netflix. Beautiful. Honestly, just to get up and go on tour, I go, I'll go and do a gig. Yeah. I've already been paid, so I've got to do it. Yeah. Have you not married Jane yet, then? Is she still your girlfriend? Yeah. Oh, right. Yeah. We are married, really, just not in the eyes of God. Right, OK. It's always nice. Yeah. Who's on the afternoon? He hates people too, though, luckily. He's drowned them. Oh, God. Righto. I don't do that. We're going to get away from that little subject, daytime telly. Quick, talk about cats, quick. I mean, you wrote it, you voiced it, and you drew it. Yeah, I did. I did the initial sketches for real artists to come along and go, leave it to us. But that's my attempt at Gus. Oh, he's a triple threat. I know. Watching it, as I did last night, I phoned. The only critique is not a lot of Northern voices in there. Hold on. Joe Hartley. Joe Hartley's from West Manchester. Hold on, where are you from? You're Bolton, isn't it? Bolton. Diane Morgan's from Bolton. Well, all right, there's room for one more. Oh, sorry, I see. You know I'm trained for business. I didn't get the hint. Yeah, since you mentioned religion, you've gone. You've gone, yeah. I'm not averse to joking on a telly. Oh, Emma Vallonoff is a serious joke. Sorry, I was a bit sick there. When's it out? Now. It's out now. Oh, I thought we had a special viewing last night. Out now, around the world. Out today, lovely. And Natalie Cassidy. Did you purposely keep it at the time it was? We were talking about it before. I think people's attention spans go quickly these days. And when it looks like 17 minutes, perfect. That's exactly, yeah, we did. I think that's about right. All the episodes are like, you know, 15, 16 minutes. And I think that's enough to get a story. And it's fast. It's really fast and packed, you know. And then you can watch the other one. As I say, we watched it as a movie. And it really works. It's like a caper. And Natalie Cassidy's in it. How did that happen? I heard her on a podcast. Do you know Jo Wilkinson and David Earle's podcast? She was on there. And she was really funny. And then they said, oh, she was a fan. I said, oh, yeah, get her in for a bit. I think she does two or three little parts on it. Yeah, she plays Gus's mum. Oh, really? Yeah, she was great. I don't think people realise how funny Natalie actually really is. Yeah, she's really funny. Yeah, yeah, they're all great comedians. Everyone's great in that. Yeah, and they're all sort of writers and directors in their own right as well. So it's like, you know, I get a lot of value for my money. David Earle talking about eating the number twos. I thought that was beautiful. He's the one that causes the most havoc. Because I push him and push him until he says something. And then we just, there he is. Yeah, amazing. And you're back on tour, aren't you? But this time you're talking more about yourself than ever before. It is probably my most autobiographical. Just, you know, from conception to where I am today, you know. I'm still moaning, though. Don't worry about that. Where do you do your warm-ups? I did about 60 warm-ups at Leicester Square Theatre, which is one of my favourites. It's just a 400-seater. And you just go along, you walk out with hardly anything, and you let the audience find it for you. It is great. It's great, it's my favourite bit. It's my favourite bit, you know. And it's 25 years since The Office. Yeah. I saw you'd done some on YouTube recently. Yeah, just my favourite bit, something to do, you know, just to launch the channel. Try and monetise that. Yeah, ka-ching, we like that. Talking of ka-ching, you are one of the most successful comedians of all time, and you're absolutely loaded. Well, it's true. I never said that! How do you stay so grounded? Am I grounded? Yeah. I don't know. Do you know what? I think it's because I made it when I was 40. I think if you make it when you're 18, it changes you. Whereas I was already fat, and I already hated the world, and I didn't, you know. So I think that's why. And, you know, you've got the same friends and family as well. So I don't think I could be anything other than this. What's brilliant about your level of success, and as Josie said, wealth, even all that, you've got John Turrod at the back of your... Yeah. ...knocking up some fish tacos. I can smell them from here. How's it going, John? All right? Yeah, the tacos are looking good. I know, I can hear them. Yeah, it's live TV. Hints? Something to this show. Are you like me? I'm like that. I can't stand anybody. I'm paranoid. I ban sweets from my gigs in case someone's... Trying to talk! We've paid 200 quid. Do you know a weird one at gigs? You find this when people are laughing too much. Like, walking in like... Yeah, you're like, all right. Yeah, I know, because I've got timing here. Let's just get the laugh over with and let me get home. Well, the very best of luck on your legend tour. Thank you. And the very best of luck with this series, and it's been an absolute pleasure meeting you. Pleasure for me too, believe it or not. I know, you can't tell by my face, but I really enjoyed this. Cheers, Ricky. Thanks very much. And again, available. Look at him. Right, you can watch Ricky's new show, Ally Cats, that's on Netflix today.