Cue & Ehh? With Myspace's Karl Pilkington

The 2nd series of the Ricky Gervais Podcast ended last week. I find myself lost and bored. What am I to do? I think of a new Cue & Ehh?:

(I had intended this Cue & Ehh? to be with Myspace's Ricky, Stephen and Karl. Unfortunately after saying that they'd take part, and wasting a lot of my time chasing them, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant didn't respond).

I had also intended this interview to be on the uncertainty of identity. To question the people that take the place of stars and correspond to fans when the celebrity can't. It appears that that doesn't even happen. It appears, for some unknown reason, that these imposters are just as unresponsive as a busy celeb. Scrolling through Myspace you are flooded with famous names and faces. Why are normal people favouring the deletion of their own identity for a fake celebrity one? I know that I would rather be myself with no friends than imitate a famous celebrity with thousands. Simply because those friends are not my own.

It's a lazy fan site. A dead end for research. There is little to gain from these identities other than to read the fan comments. Fan comments that are so misdirected that it's a little depressing.

Then there's the other possibility. What if it is the real person? What if the real Ricky and Stephen had read my questions and decided that they would opt out? What if I have received the answers from the real Karl Pilkington? Myspace had lead to the contacting a lot of the previous Cue & Ehh?s. From talented people who I know are the 'real thing'. People who have time to give a little correspondence to the interested. Sure, they're just as busy as others who don't respond. They just like to stay in contact, like the rest of us. It keeps us all grounded. There are no platforms, just the lazy and the unlazy, the busy and the unbusy, the caring and the uncaring.

Myspace imposters do help us. They help fans state their passion. They show evidence of that passion. It's a big step from the unread fan letter. You can grafitti your love all over your favourite rock stars Myspace, others who feel similar can read it, they can 'friend' you. They spark friendships. They are a place where alike people can meet, converse and feel connected. Maybe it is wrong to slander these imposters for fraud. In a different light they are janitors of microcosmic fan clubs. They have created a vessel in which we can all offer our knowledge, display our love and calm our fanaticism. Questioning them would merely ruin the illusion:


Myspace Karl, thank you for agreeing to answer a few questions, I guess the first question which everyone is asking is ‘are you the real Karl’?

But, but like how do I know if i'm the real Karl? Like, if there's more than one me which one's the real me?


How do you feel about all the attention you get on Myspace?

Alright.


Ricky 272, Stephen 273, Karl 625.
After having an eyeball at your friend amounts, I noticed that Karl had a considerably larger amount, while Ricky had the least. Is Ricky & Stephen just more choosey? Have you any thoughts on this?

I can't be doin with any faffin so i just 'accept' everyone.
Steve, I don't mean this in a bad way, but you're a bit weird looking so maybe people don't want to look at your site?


I have really enjoyed the Ricky Gervais Show podcast. I’ve given up on music and films in this New Year. I guess I really only listen to the show and browse the web. What one thing have you really enjoyed this year (Jan – Apr 2006)?

I met Derek Acorah the other week, that was alright.


Other than Myspace, what other web sites do you like to visit?

Ananova's pretty good. some good stories there. This fella told me to look at Snopes, that's alright but i don't believe some of the stuff.


I am getting a little bored of ‘Rock Busters’, what are your thoughts on it?

Well, loads of people send in emails with answers every week. but if Ricky and Steve don't want to do it, we don't have to do it. They can bring some stuff in for a change, save me the hassle.


The second series ended last week, I don’t know what I’m going to do. What will you do?

Me and Ricky are working on a book about freaks an that. Some good stories.


When you’re at home and you want to unwind, what music lifts you away?

I like songs with a story but there aint that many about. 'Living for the city' by Stevie Wonder's alright.


I recently had a run in with a very pretentious music sales assistant who thought that they knew the entire history of Indie music. He annoyed me so much that I just went home and ordered what I wanted online. What’s your most hated profession and what’s the reasoning behind it?

Me and Ricky went to a casino the other week. I was playing a bit of blackjack and people were givin the coupieré tips. What's that about? Give us the cards, I'll deal 'em meself.


Did anyone play an April Fools on you, or did you play an April Fools on anyone?

Susanne was making a boiled egg and when she went in the other room I swapped the egg in the saucepan for fresh 'n. She told me off for wasting eggs.


I’m currently watching Attenborough’s Planet Earth. It’s about the Desert. Which makes me think to ask… ‘What’s your least favourite Dessert?’ (Yes, the sweet course!)

I like a nice sponge. Y'know, cake an that.


I did say LEAST favourite but that'll do...


Weird & Freaky Question:

If you were put into the situation, were you had to poo out an animal. Say through some crazy experiment that you had been forced into. What animal would you choose to excrete and why?

Is a bee an animal? No, not a bee, it'd sting. er, butterfly.


More:

Karl's Myspace
The Russel Brand Show With Karl
Pilkipedia - The forum's new identity.
Karl's Book