KARL PILKINGTON FANS > Why we like him

How famous can you make Karl Pilkington? Are you a journalist? Please write about this for people who probably haven't listened. Talk about K P. Put a little poster up in your window- 'I love Karl Pilkington'. Print a badge, give it away, email your friends, tell one person about this podcast and let them discover the amazing beauty that is Karl Pilkington's mind.

I like Karl. I’d like to go for a pint with him. I wouldn’t care that he’s famous, because I know fame hasn’t affected him negatively. It’s made him enough money to have his boiler replaced… and start a property portfolio, so hopefully he’d buy me a drink. I’d never ask him for his autograph if we did meet, although I might ask for a picture of his head.

As Ricky Gervais says, Karl is an entirely original thinker. That’s not to say I agree with some of his ideas, but he isn’t afraid to look a fool in order to express himself and make his mark. He manages to take an abstract concept or bizarre train of thought and paint a picture in the listener’s mind. The mental image he creates may be a bit crooked or lop-sided but it's laugh out loud funny, or at least subtlety humorous and slightly philosophical.

The other charming thing about Karl is that he never wanted to be famous. He was always reluctant to be thrust into the limelight. He considers himself a normal bloke, who happened to work at a radio station, and who happened to be thrown into the mix with two great comedy writers during their radio slot. It’s rare to find someone as well known as Karl, who, despite all the trappings of fame, has stayed true.

Some people say Karl Pilkington is stupid, or ignorant. I just think he doesn't have the same insecurities and fears as other people. Because he has little education it doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with him. What the education system does, if anything, is teach kids to regurgitate “facts”, rather than genuinely think for themselves. Through his childhood, environment, school life, truancy, thieving and misdemeanours, he’s lived a more vivid, interesting, colourful life than most . He’s something of a philosopher, but sometimes, Karl, you do just talk shit.

He’s an orginal thinker, he’s not restricted by anything. Karl is about freedom of expression.

It's also great that Karl agreed to carry on doing the podcasts and eventually the "Guide to.." shows. Without Karl, the dynamic wouldn't exist and I doubt I'd be as interested in the banter between Ricky and Steve. It's down to the fact that Karl is like a jack-in-the-box that can be wound up to give you a surprise that's different every time, or a fruit machine that takes small change and always lets you win the jackpot.

In a strange way, I'm glad that Karl, despite being in the same comedy/fame/exposure vehicle as Gervais/Merchant, still remains relatively unknown to the masses. He's the best kept secret. Together with Ricky and Steve, they're a great band that only a few people know about. Well only a few million, for now.

I don't like...fun...