there's nothing i cherish more than my friends. but for that i'm allowed to squeeze their head, annoy them, 24/7. say awful things to them. torture them. send them around the world. then one of the funniest men in showbiz steve care rel and the price of fame. >> t it's much better to be rich. >> love the honesty. >> and why he compares the gop field to three stooges. >> i was just thinking of your analogy and i was thinking ron paul is sort of a shemp. >> no question.

>> that's true. >> physically at least. >> when we were on the daily show, it was the same way. we were so thankful when anything that we perceived of as ridiculous would happen. >> when you watch the news, you >> they took it better this time. >> i have had a year to get used to it. the first time i went why is he saying all of these awful things and then the second time, i was like i get it. they are jokes. i didn't want to take it badly in the first place and i don't think i said anything that bad the first time. they are jokes. i would entertain than people gasp. i cherish the gasps. they're just as good. >> not everybody seemed to enjoy your jokes as much as others. sir elton didn't seem enthusiastic. >> he had a grumpy look on his face, i don't know. at least he can still show expressions. most have too much botox and you can't tell whether they're smiling or not.

but i made the decision, you don't pander to people in the room, there's 200 million people watching at home. it's not a spectator sport and i tried to make it one with. it was my favorite one. i really enjoyed it. >> i tweeted on the night how joyous you would have felt the moment you would have heard that jodie foster and mel gibson were making a movie "the beaver." >> too easy. that's the comedy god. . >> knocking it out of the park. >> i think you are single handedly changing the way all americans feel about awards ceremonies. when i first came out here they were the most sickening, back slapping events imaginable. four or five hours of people telling each other how wonderful they are.

you have picked that balloon so spectacularly. i don't think any of them can go back to that anymore. that's why you're this national treasure. >> i think that it's fine if they want a mutual back slapping session. but don't televise it. because there's nothing in it for people at home. i've got nothing against those people. i admire a lot of them, and also it was general ribbing. this wasn't me trying to undermine the moral fabric of america. they were gags. and it shows how badly the so- called offended stars took it. johnny depp is in the new series. it's always people offended on someone else's behalf. you talk to the person and they go, i was fine about it. >> do you have a moral code yourself? >> of course i do. of course i do. >> how would you define it? >> you can't, because it's not a set menu. unlike religion, i don't have a set menu. you take instance. >> what is your litmus test? >> you can't. i have to sleep at night. that's the only way. this is the thing about offense,

okay. it's not right or wrong, it's about feelings and feelings are personal. so i'll give you an example. i did a standup tour here and i make jokes, ironically i say, about third world famine, cancer, the holocaust, aids. these are the subjects and this is the problem with the interview. some people when they hear any taboo subject they mistake the target of the joke with the target of the joke. you can make a joke about race without being racist. and the reason i don't like actual racist jokes is not because they are offensive because they are not funny. they are based on a falsehood. there has to be truth and honesty in comedy. i did this gig with all those subjects and i got a letter from someone saying i enjoyed the gig, we were laughing all the

way through except we didn't appreciate the jokes about the holocaust. so they knew the jokes were a joke, but it was too much that's the problem with personal feelings. >> but are there -- >> you can't be objective. >> some people would say things like the holocaust should never be a subject for humor. it should be off limits. >> it depends on what the joke is. there's nothing you shouldn't joke but it depends on what the joke is. it's as simple as that. you can tell a right-on joke about the holocaust and about anything. it comes from a good or bad place and you have to know what you are doing. i like walking the tight rope and people realizing it is okay. no bad, no bad at all can come from discussing taboo subjects. it's where it comes from and how it is discussed and, you know, and i think that -- i've always

done -- and things like in the office it was clear because it was a character. when david went over and the only black guy said i love sydney poitier, people nooe knew he was indifferent rather than racist. when it is under his own name, does he mean it? they know the way the satire is and you can't allege late against stupidity. the more you dumb it down you lose the satire. i don't apologize for people not getting it. if anyone gets it, it is gettable and there is also someone offended by what you say. many are offended because you exist, particularly you. >> i read the forums. >> for a very long time, you would have never imagined being

in hollywood and now you are a bona fide superstar and does movies and so on. what is the reality of hollywood excess? >> well, i don't know about that. i'm in my pajamas by 6:00 after i've worked out. i like glass of wine. but i don't really mix in those circles. the people i know in hollywood are usually are writers and directors and producers. and show writers. i'm not -- i came to this business when i was nearly 40. i'm 50 now. >> is that the trick? is it to not be famous too early? >> i think so, and that wasn't intentional. neither way. i didn't hold back saying, hold it. i'm going to be famous when i was 38. i was never trying to be famous and i feared it. >> is it a lot easier to be older and famous? >> i think so. i think it was oprah who said if

you don't know who you are by the time you become famous, it will define you. and i think these things don't -- i love the work. you know, i -- everyone knows that we get paid very well. nice reviews are good. awards are great, but it's the work. i can't believe i get up in the morning and have an idea and it will get made. at the moment. >> what i can't believe is the way you look, because we all fell in love back in britain with fat, chubby ricky. >> i wasn't fat. >> you were pretty fat and you drank a lot of beer. >> you didn't tell me that then. >> people come up to me you look fantastic. you should have said it then. i would have worked out faster. i had to find out for myself. >> you were the standard bearer for the beer swelling, for the

fish and chip eating guy. >> i still do that. >> how much weight have you lost? >> not much at all. i think about 25 pounds. >> that's quite a lot. i do it by working out. i still eat and drink too much. but the next day i punish myself in the gym. i work out like rocky. and then i feel great. >> even your teeth look gleamy. anything done to them? the hollywood smile. >> i got those things in a luxury lounge once. they made me gag. i'm fat and disgusting and didn't clean my teeth. you are rewriting history here. i had a few pounds and the beer helps. that gives you an illusion. i wear black. what made you go on a vanity kick. >> it wasn't a vanity kick. it was a health kick. it was christmas, i was 48, a

couple christmases ago, and i had 11 sausages and i sat there feeling ill. the number of times i said, jane, i'm having a heart attack. and i thought, you know what? life is good. and i don't want to blow it. i don't want to go hold on, just -- >> by the way, it wasn't just me. this dashing feature of "men's health" magazine, the feature we thought we would never see about you, this mac late kick boxing, it says how ricky gervais totally lost it. he went from chubby loser to bad-ass comedian. his next act, losing the gut and gaining respect. >> that's good, isn't it? i'm glad i lived this long to comedic. otherwise with it would be the death of a fat chubby loser who never cleans his teeth and

sticks. ricky gervais guys at the age of 48, death by sausage. that's a prison term. what? cut that. >> do you get more groupies now? >> i never got groupies. i've been with my girlfriend for 30 years. >> does she prefer you as a chubby loser? >> she's been with both. >> i think she loved me for both. when she met me i wasn't a chubby loser. i was about ten stone. i used to do judo, karate every day. i was so fit and then i hit 30 and got a job and went to the bar afterwards and that's what does it. it is so easy. so gradual. i got heavier and heavier. through my 30s and 40s until you go, when did that happen? i used to, you know you think that will never happen to me. >> it is absolutely true it.

>> does. it is so easy. it is easy to lose it, as well. i haven't given anything up. i couldn't diet. i couldn't do that. i can't give up my cheese and wine. but i can, luckily, because i'm self-employed, and i've got my own gym. i've got no excuse. i hear you've got trainers now. >> yeah, yeah. he doesn't want me advertising it. he doesn't think i'm good for his brand. let's take a break and come back and talk about twitter. you love twitter as much as i do and i like your work. >> thank you. >> announcer: this is the day. the day that we say to the world of identity thieves "enough." we're lifelock, and we believe you have the right to live free from the fear of identity theft. our pledge to you? as long as there are identity thieves, we'll be there. we're lifelock. and we offer the most comprehensive identity theft protection ever created. lifelock: relentlessly

protecting your identity. call 1-800-lifelock or go to lifelock.com today. when you have diabetes... your doctor will say get smart about your weight. i tried weight loss plans... but their shakes aren't always made for people with diabetes. that's why there's new glucerna hunger smart shakes. they have carb steady, with carbs that digest slowly to help minimize blood sugar spikes. and they have 6 grams of sugars. with 15 grams of protein to help manage hunger... look who's getting smart about her weight. [ male announcer ] new glucerna hunger smart. a smart way to help manage hunger and diabetes.

so why exactly should that be of any interest to you? well, in that time there've been some good days. and some difficult ones. but, through it all, we've persevered, supporting some of the biggest ideas in modern history. like the transatlantic cable that connected continents. and the panama canal that made our world a smaller place. we supported the marshall plan that helped europe regain its strength. and pioneered the atm, so you can get cash when you want it. it's been our privilege to back ideas like these, and the leaders behind them. so why should our anniversary matter to you? because for 200 years, we've been helping people and their ideas move from ambition to achievement. and the next great idea could be yours.

♪ the funniest show in the history of television. i love this show. >> i wouldn't call it the funniest show in the history. of television. >> this show was hilarious. hilarious. >> history of television? >> "seinfeld," lovely show. >> it was good. >> i love broad comedy. >> i will treasure this, ricky.

i'm so excited. >> ricky gervais on the hbo show "curb your enthusiasm." a classic, classic. >> highlight of my career honestly. i have had a few. i have been very lucky with the things i have been asked to do from the simpsons but that was an absolute joy. it made me realize why people come in to extras and -- when you play a twisted version of yourself, you suddenly find out the worst you make yourself, people can, he can't be that bad. so you really go for it to make it obvious. >> let's talk about twitter, because you came late to the game. you've become equally obsessive. you love twitter, don't you. >> yeah. >> why do you like it so much? >> i like it for a lot of reasons. i like it because it is the whole of humanity in your

pocket. it is the best and worst of the world on twitter. there are some brilliant people out there and there are some people out there that shouldn't be allowed sharp objects and i treasure them both. >> you talk sharp objects, you tweeted this picture of yourself to say on my way to piers morgan. i think i'll fit in well. what were you getting at? >> as a comedian. >> you fit in well looking like that. >> i thought i looked intellectual there and cnn is the home of intel lectu-- intel chur chuls. >> you get intense on twirt. you got in to battles. >> yeah. but at home i'm smiling. when someone is arguing with me that the earth is 5,000 years old, yes, i'm smiling. yeah. of course i'm smiling. the fundamentalist view of the creation of the earth is rather like an episode of "the flint

-- flintstones." so i have to laugh. >> how does your atheism, which you're passionate about, how does that play with your american audience, given so many people in america are god-fearing people and probably take exception to it? >> but they shouldn't. we talked about this last time. why should they -- i don't -- why should they take offense that i don't believe in their god or any other god. why i don't believe in yours. i've got nothing against people believing in god at all. in fact, if it did make you a kinder person, if you did good things in his name, great. but there's the rub. it's when i see some of these religious fundamentalists saying that they've told their 5-year-old children if they turn out gay, they will burn in hell, that to me is child abuse. that has nothing to do with religion or spirituality. that's child abuse. that's why i'm passionate -- >> what do you think of the republican nomination race, given some of the candidates clearly position themselves

quite deliberately to say anti-gay marriage, all that thing based on their beliefs? >> this is back to offense, aren't we. just because they are offended by someone being gay doesn't mean they are right. it is a strange thing. being gay is a choice, being gay isn't a choice. i want to go if you think it is a choice, have a go. see how much you like it. >> for someone who has come to america and being the personification of the american dream of they take anybody from anywhere and anyone can make it big here. they don't care whatever else you did. >> i came fat with terrible teeth. >> you were a chubby loser. >> no, no, america is fantastic. it's the land of opportunity, and there's bits of both cultures that i love and hate and the wonderful thing about being in between england and america, they are both the land

of freedom and criticize them all you want, but know that you're in a place that allows you to criticize it and that's lucky, and that's great and that should be cherished. freedom of speech for me is one of the most important things that is discovered. i'll fight for the right of it. even though i don't believe in god and i don't believe -- unlike most religions, i treat all religions the same. i think they're all wrong, not morally wrong, but i don't think there is a god. but if someone said we're banning religion, i would march to not have it banned. because it's your right to believe what you want and it's your right to be wrong. and i'll fight for that right. >> let's take another break. i want to play you what steve carell said about you. >> can i have it cut and sent to me? i didn't like it. i own that man. [ male announcer ] if you believe the mayan calendar,

on december 21st polar shifts will reverse the earth's gravitational pull and hurtle us all into space. which would render retirement planning unnecessary. but say the sun rises on december 22nd, and you still need to retire. td ameritrade's investment consultants can help you build a plan that fits your life. we'll even throw in up to $600 when you open a new account or roll over an old 401(k). so who's in control now, mayans? 8% every 10 years.age 40, we can start losing muscle -- when you open a new account or roll over an old 401(k). wow. wow. but you can help fight muscle loss with exercise and ensure muscle health. i've got revigor. what's revigor? it's the amino acid metabolite, hmb to help rebuild muscle and strength naturally lost over time. [ female announcer ] ensure muscle health has revigor and protein to help protect, preserve, and promote muscle health. keeps you from getting soft. [ major nutrition ] ensure. nutrition in charge!

what makes us number one in motorcycle insurance? we love bikes. we love riders. and most of all, we love to ride. perfect hair every time. leading the pack in motorcycle insurance. now, that's progressive. call or click today.

i'm piers morgan and don't be fooled by my british accent because that's all i got. tonight, we kpanl the controversy surround ethic year's super bowl half-time show. joining me is the woman at the center of this hip hop

controversy, m.i. a. >> that was my debut on "saturday night live." i thought that accept was shocking. >> i'm glad he said he was doing it. s that the test. >> everyone said to me, well done. you have been humiliated on america's number one tv comedy show. >> it's very flattering. because we're british, we might see the differences, but to america, that probably sounds pretty spot on. >> wick wick wick wick. i don't think so. >> at least he took things that aren't that bad. >> should we play what steve carell said about you? >> yes, please. >> i enjoy you are slightly uncomfortable. >> you have no idea what he said. >> i can't believe he would say

anything bad about me. >> could you do what ricky does? >> not in a million years. >> why? >> i think i would just get too skittish. i play a ricky gervais character but to actually go in front of people. >> offend them to their faces. >> i don't think i necessarily -- it doesn't mean i'm a better person, it just means i certainly don't have that kind of guts. it's funny, he always makes fun of me. always. he's also, in a personal way very sweet to me. before one of these awards shows he pulled me aside and said i have a few things i want to go after you with and i'm like of course. so there is a gentler side to him that people don't necessarily see. >> you are all heart, aren't you? >> he is such a lovely man, though. >> he thinks you are sweet, just to clarify because you go up to him before an awards show that i'm going to call you a

[ bleep ] in a minute just to warn you. >> i don't want to drive abad day. i have nothing against people. do you like steve carell? >> he is fantastic. not only brilliant but one of the loveliest people in hollywood untouched. nice hardest working family man. i havnothing but -- >> it is a great interview. he's got one of those heads that's just funny. >> you know why, he's nearly handsome. it's like bob hope. if you look at him, he's chiselled, he's great, but he's got beady eyes. that was a compliment, by the way. he's very handsome. he's not imposing. he's not bland. why are we going on about how good looking steve carell is? what am i, chopped liver? >> let's talk about love. >> go on. >> how many times have you been properly in love in your life?

>> what, with romantic love? >> i'm assuming women. >> yes. i meant as opposed to family and kittens. >> >> yes. proper romantic love. >> once. >> and you've been with the same woman 30 years? >> yes. >> she's a lovely, smart, attractive, long suffering woman. >> yeah. >> why haven't you married her yet? >> we are really. we are. >> and yet you're not. >> well, we share everything. >> do you think you ever will? >> never say never. there's no reason we're not getting married other than there's no point at the moment. there might be one day, but i'm not digging my heels in saying we can never get married for any reason. there's no point. we don't want our families to meet. that's the thing. >> how do you show your romantic side?

>> i don't know. should it be -- is there a definition? i think i am romantic. i think i am very romantic. we've been together for 30 years. we're soul mates. no one knows as much about me. no one loves me as much and that's mutual. i don't think you can get more romantic than that. i think buying someone a card once a year is irrelevant. it doesn't do it for me. that's not romance. that's a tick on a call determines it's nothing. we like each other's company. we don't like anyone better. >> you've had this amazing career path, amazing in many ways. if i had the power to reare live for you one moment, this is not personal, professional really, a moment in your life, what would it be? >> there's loads of things whizzing through my head but

they're all from childhood. >> like what? >> i remember one where my brothers and sisters are a lot older than me. the next was 11 years old and then 13 and 15. i remember i was 12. i was eating corn flakes. and i said mom, why are they so much older than me? and she went, because you're a mistake. so little things like that. that i sometimes just. >> magical moments. >> it's so sweet. so sweet. i remember when i went to do -- i went to -- i was good in academically in school in sciences. i went to college to do biology. after a couple weeks i changed to philosophy. and i came back that christmas. my mom had got me a book on biology and i said i'm doing philosophy now. she said, what good is that? i said it doesn't matter because i'm going to be a pop star. she said, pop star is another

word for junkie, right? i told her what the advance was and she said mick jagger bought his mom a house in wales. >> ricky, it's been a pleasure as always. you have flown the flag brilliantly from my little country and it's a great joy to watch you in action. >> thank you. cheers, man. >> ricky gervais. there's only one ricky gervais. thank god. >> and i'm an atheist. i love that my daughter's part fish. but when she got asthma, all i could do was worry ! specialists, lots of doctors, lots of advice... and my hands were full. i couldn't sort through it all. with unitedhealthcare, it's different. we have access to great specialists, and our pediatrician gets all the information. everyone works as a team. and i only need to talk to one person about her care. we're more than 78,000 people looking out for 70 million americans. that's health in numbers. unitedhealthcare.

cuban cajun raw seafood pizza parlor french fondue tex-mex fro-yo tapas puck chinese takeout taco truck free range chicken pancake stack baked alaska 5% cash back. right now, get 5% cash back at restaurants. it pays to discover. according to the signs, ford is having some sort of big tire event. i just want to confirm a w things with fiona. how would you describe the event? it's big. no,i mean in terms of savings how would you sum it up? big in your own words, with respect to selection, what would you say? big okay, let's talk rebates mike, they're big they're big get $100 rebate, plus the low price tire guarantee during the big tire event. so, in other words, we can agree that ford's tire event is a good size? big big for a hot dog cart. my mother said, "well, maybe we ought to buy this hot dog cart and set it up someplace." so my parents went to bank of america. they met with the branch manager and they said, "look, we've got this little hot dog cart,

and it's on a really good corner. let's see if we can buy the property." and the branch manager said, "all right, i will take a chance with the two of you." and we've been loyal to bank of america for the last 71 years. only hertz gives you a carfirmation. hey, this is challenger. i'll be waiting for you in stall 5. it confirms your reservation and the location your car is in, the moment you land. it's just another way you'll be traveling at the speed of hertz.

hollywood doesn't exactly celebrate the people behind the scenes with the possible exception of my guest tonight. "new york times" calls him a comic institution. he brought you seinfeld, mad about you, friends. weeds. he was comedic in some way. let's focus on you here. we are all agreeing you are a comic institution as the "new york times" said. tell me about being a cometic institution. >> i should be in an institution. i don't know if i am a comic institution. >> you were paid how many times on johnny carson. >> 140 time sfwls that has to be a record. >> bob hope was the most and i

was the second most. you know, he could call me last minute -- people used to drop out of "the tonight show" and i found it amazing that someone had something more important to do than "the tonight show." >> area you never did. you were always available. >> i was there all the time and the other go-to person was with bob newhart. he could come in the last minute and talk to johnny and it would be fine. so one day i said to bob, i'm so flattered we got to do this so much and he said i talked to johnny about it and he said he loved it because we bombed all the time. he enjoyed it. >> making him look good. why i invited both of you obviously today. >> hey, i'm done. >> you've collaborated on this new documentary series about comedians. why did you do it? you were the executive produce area /*er and you both were in it.

>> well, charlie had this idea to kind of trace comedy in terms of generations and how it cross pollinates and sort of looked to people's inspirations. but it was too big an idea for a movie. so we very rapidly realized that this had to be a series. >> we actually shot a lot of it as a movie. >> and you've got incredible names. it's like a roll call of superstar comedians. isn't it? is this like a definitive history of comedy? how are you billing it? >> i don't know if it's a definitive history of comedy, but it is -- >> what makes people laugh. >> it's unique in the way in which the comedians talk about what they do. it's just something about it is totally unique. there is no audience. there is no pressure. they're not on, but they're funny. >> let's take a little watch. i have a clip here.

>> i have 28 untaped different stories -- >> that happened between you and him. >> that never happened. >> i remember my mom, she would try to make me feel good about my size but she would i always do schticks. he's a large boy, he's all heart. but when he came out of me -- >> amazing. >> it's a brilliant lineup. and immediately i'm laughing. so this is obviously going to be a huge success, this thing. but what is the definition of comedy, is there one? >> it's so subjective. what's funny to one person is not at all to somebody else. i sort of refrain from saying that something is funny or not funny because i don't find it funny doesn't mean a multitude of people don't find it funny. >> are you a funny person by nature? >> as is evidenced by this interview, no, clearly not. i don't light up a room.

i'm in the the type of person that can hold court. i was never a standup. so i'm not proficient at that at all. but i enjoy comedy. i enjoy laughing. >> i want to play you something to embarrass you now. i interviewed lisa kudrow and i put a question to her. i think -- i hope this will embarrass you. let's watch. this this is her answer. >> oh, god. >> name one person who you think everybody finds funny. >> steve carell. >> that's true. >> okay. >> i've never heard anyone who doesn't find steve carell funny. >> yeah. >> right. >> it's true. >> okay. >> i challenged her thinking there wasn't an answer. she came up with two, tina fey. >> tina fey? who pretty much but i think you are right. not so good. that's really, really kind. again, it's matter of personal taste. yes she can write a book and not so good. that's really kind. i think it is a matter of

personal taste. our own influences growing up, i had people like from peter sellers to steve martin to jack lemmon. it was sort all all over the map. >> being a comedian wasn't your great burning ambition. you were going to be a lawyer or all sorts of career paths lined up. what was the moment for you when the lights came on, no, i'm going to be a comedian. for me it seemed like a horrible soulless profession. making people laugh must be the hardest thing in the world. >> when i started getting paid to do it. i thought if i can make a living as an actor, that was my goal. but the fact that i just, over time realized that i was making more money being a comedic actor than a dramatic actor. so that's what it was for me. >> do you feel a pressure to always be on? we were talking about this earlier. when you go out and people meet you. when they meet me they want to

say what was steve carell like? and when they meet you this must be a horrible pressure for you to be hilarious. >> i set the bar very low for myself. going on a talk show. i see some comedians going on and swinging from in the fences in terms of their bits and what they are doing and early on i decide i'm going to be congenial but not try to do anymore than that. if it is funny, then, you know -- >> when we come back, i want to talk to you about the presidential race. from a kilometer immediatic point of view, instantly you are laughing. your finances can't manage themselves. but that doesn't mean they won't try. bring all your finances together

with the help of the one person who can. a certified financial planner professional. cfp. let's make a plan.

çtoooowl nno matter what you do. when you're living with moderate to severe crohn's disease, there are times it feels like your life... revolves around your symptoms. if you're tired of going around in circles, it may be time to ask your gastroenterologist about humira. because with humira, remission is possible. humira has been proven to work for adults who have tried other medications... but still experience the symptoms of moderate to severe crohn's disease. in clinical studies, the majority of patients on humira saw significant symptom relief. and many achieved remission. humira can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis.

serious, sometimes fatal events, such as infections, lymphoma, or other types of cancer, have happened. blood, liver and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure have occurred. before starting humira, your doctor should test you for tb. ask your doctor if you live in or have been to a region where certain fungal infections are common. tell your doctor if you have had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have symptoms such as fever, fatigue, cough, or sores. you should not start humira if you have any kind of infection. if you're tired of going around in circles, get headed in a new direction. ask your gastroenterologist about humira today. remission is possible. at rfeel strongly abouttes personal service. all 27,000 of them. maybe that's why we keep winning personal service awards. hey, you should meet a few. there's stephanie and jack - now he's a great business banker, jose and michael, (bike bell) tamika . she's great.

at the christmas party. you're the last person in the world i would want to hurt. >> you keep talking i'm going to get out of the car. >> but the fact that i did it shows how broke we are. >> okay. >> oh, my god! >> that was "crazy stupid love" one of the favorite comedy movies of the year for me. steve carell and david sdienberg are with me. let's talk about the comedic value of the presidential race and the republican race in particular. this is fantastically funny moments in this. do you thank god every day that these things happen? >> yes.

this is a gift from god to comedians. the likes of which we have never seen. it's a ship of fools that is -- it's just unbelievable. i used to have a theory that i took through almost all the presidencies. and it was that you're either -- it's like the three stooges. you're either a mo, who is in charge, or a larry, who wants to be a mo, or you're curly who is nuts and totally just off the page. this is all curlies. >> it's a little like that, isn't it? >> there is no mo and larry here. >> everyone has comedic potential here. >> i was just thinking of your analogy and i was thinking ron paul is sort of a shemp. >> physically at least. >> especially the hair. >> when we were on the daily

show, when i was on the daily show with my wife, it was the same way. we were so thankful when anything that we perceived as ridiculous would happen. >> you must watch the news and most people junt just want information but you must be itching for something to happen where you laugh your head off. >> there were researchers, on the daily show that that's all they would do, cut them throw them in there. the writers were fantastic. >> when you watch these debates, when they go at each other. the philosophy you get from them is character is overare rated. they don't care about character in any way, shape or form. >> true. >> it's gone. i think it's been overrated through the years, you know. not the best -- some of the best presidents their character wasn't great. so the republicans are in a sweet spot of having no

character. and character only matters when someone else is lacking character. >> yes. they can be devoid of character and you can go after that and hide your own lacking character. >> exactly. >> you have made a great series about comedy. if i could trap you both on a desert island separately and you could have one comedian with you to make you laugh the rest of your days, who woub would you take. >> allen arkin. >> why? >> because he makes one to one -- he makes me laugh more than anyone. >> really? >> he is so try and so aer is big, i love being around the man. >> who would you take. >> probably take groucho. marty short, nonstop funny all the time. he was so aer is big and fun. >> you came to this late in terms of a claim and everything else. if you were honest did you

prefer life before when you were more anonymous or have you embraced the whole fame thing with great enthusiasm? >> it is much, much better to be rich and famous. i mean, what do you say? but my life hasn't changed that much. i certainly have more money than i did, but my home life, my family life, all of that has really stayed essentially the same. >> are you resolutely normal? when i read interviews you say you go to the mall and movie theaters. you have two young kids and you do your job, go home. you are batting way above your strength for your wife. everyone is in agreement about this. >> i don't dispute that in any way. but it's interesting, because i think had -- because this all did happen later in life for me, and i think i had my ducks in a row at that point. i figured things out for the most part in terms of my goals and wants and dreams and what was giving me happiness ultimately.

so i think if it had happened early in life, i don't know if i would have been the same story. i like to think it might have been, but you never know. >> let's take another break. let's come back and talk about "the office." because i know ricky gervais very well. the monster who spawned all of this. i want to know what you think about him and leaving the show. your shot, right? ♪ he was a 21st century global nomad ♪ ♪ home was an airport lounge and an ipad ♪ ♪ made sure his credit score did not go bad ♪

♪ with a free-credit-score-dot-com ♪ ♪ app that he had ♪ downloaded it in the himalayas ♪ ♪ while meditating like a true playa ♪ ♪ now when he's surfing down in chile'a ♪ ♪ he can see when his score is in danger ♪ ♪ if you're a mobile type on the go ♪ ♪ i suggest you take a tip from my bro ♪ ♪ and download the app that lets you know ♪ ♪ at free-credit-score-dot-com now let's go. ♪ vo: offer applies with enrollment in freecreditscore.com™. but when she got asthma, all i could do was worry ! specialists, lots of doctors, lots of advice... and my hands were full. i couldn't sort through it all. with unitedhealthcare, it's different. we have access to great specialists, and our pediatrician gets all the information. everyone works as a team. and i only need to talk to one person about her care. we're more than 78,000 people looking out for 70 million americans. that's health in numbers. unitedhealthcare.

? you will be fed. you won't drool over pizza le an animal anymore. >> but -- >> you will find love. >> i'm pretty much okay with who i am now. >> don't be. never settle for who you are. >> classic steve carell from his "office" farewell. he's back with me along with david steinberg. the office began with ricky gervais in britain. the thing about watching your version, he was more empathetic your character, and the i heard the reason you say you wanted to create somebody that you could run as it did for a series rather than this 12-program thing that ricky came up with. >> he knew that the run would be limited and he could play this guy that was just insufferable

and a terrible person. >> with no redeeming features. >> i liked it. >> i felt ultimately -- because television. people are -- i know it sounds cliche but they are inviting them in to their homes every week. they are inviting the characters to their living rooms and they don't want complete jerks in their living rooms and i thought to make it more palatable you would see more human. >> has it been a wrench leaving. i know you have been e-mailing colleagues, weird thing when you lose the star of the show. >> it is strange. i miss my relationships there. i just saw everybody at the screen actors guild awards for the first time in a while and it was great. >> do you miss the character? >> no. i felt like it was the right time for me to leave the character. >> what do you think of the whole ricky gervais golden globes coming out and offending

hollywood sctick. could you do what he does? >> i think i would get too skittish. >> you could play a ricky gervais character. >> perhaps. but to go in front of people -- i don't think i necessarily -- it doesn't mean i'm a better person. but i certainly don't have that kind of guts. he always makes fun of me, always. he's also, in a personal way, very sweet to me. before one of these shows he pulled me aside and said i've got a few things i wanted to go after you with, is that okay? of course. there's a side, a gentler side that people don't necessarily see. >> he warns you before he annihilates you. >> for me, yeah. i take it as a badge of honor. >> you've got seven movies on the go, is that right? >> and i'm writing a symphony and i have a cooking show coming. >> it's been ten years.

did you ever imagine you would be in hollywood in your smart power suit in the middle of a seven-movie extravaganza earning you potentially a billion dollars. >> billion dollars. within the year, i'll be a billionaire. >> you must pinch yourself a bit. >> i'm always pinching myself. i'm going to grow another arm so i can constantly pinch myself. >> most comedians are tormented by terrible things that have happened to them. that brings the comedy. i have interviewed and you can tell that is the affirmation. but there's a great quote that said the most wounded thing about you is you're not wounded. i love that line. do you concur with that? do you feel like you've managed to avoid the normal comedic hell? >> i suppose. i don't think that is necessarily -- i don't think it is necessarily true that you have to be wounded soul in order to become a comedian. >> for standup comedy, if you had a great childhood and a happy marriage and enough money,

you're going to make a lousy standup. >> it's true. absolutely true. you need to have had cigarettes burned on you for years to make an audience laugh. that's the sick society that we live in. >> what does it say about us? >> that means we're sick people. >> i suppose. >> most people will laugh at other people's misfortunes. that seems to be the bedrock of real comedy. >> i read a woody alan quote in the paper this morning. and it bends it is comedy. if it breaks it is not. which i thought was an interesting way to put it. that's true. if it is painful but still within the realm of being okay, it can be funny. >> tell me more about inside comedy, because i love the premise of the show. >> he talks about the oscars and about opening for sammy davis jr. brad garrett talks about a hilarious story about opening

for sinatra when sinatra is in his 80s and brad garrett is like 21, 22. and marty short, he was jerry lewis for the whole half hour. >> did you enjoy making this? i have a sense you have great chemistry between you. >> i think david is the best interviewer, because he puts people at ease. >> rewind there. >> for comedy. >> only because you have all these people who do tend to be on a lot. but he puts them in a comfort zone and allows them to note only be funny but to be themselves. so you find out a little bit more about them in a personal way, which is great. >> chaps, a great pleasure. i love the documentary. it's a great series and recommend everyone to watch it. much appreciate it. >> thanks, piers. >> steve carell and dave steinberg.