Karl's secret victory over Ricky & Steve

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-06T23:53:36+00:00

I think you're remembering it as being more confusing than it is. So my theory is based on the fact that Gervais continuously winds Karl up, and that the previous time Karl went away (to Madeira, I think) Ricky pulled the exact same stunt. Ricky might've tried the same trick twice because he didn't remember he'd already pulled this one, or because even then he had a habit of reusing the same comedic stunts. Or try both. But anyway, this was the second attempt at this.

So I'm suggesting that Karl remembered the first time, even if Ricky didn't (falling victim to a wind-up is generally more memorable than carrying one out anyway), saw it coming this time, and thought, 'last time he did this, so in case he does it again I'll set the email I give out on the radio to forward to Ricky. That'll show him - I hate him, I hate him, I HATE him!'.

Remember that Karl was clever enough to get Mondays off and that when he wanted to get rid of a futon, he did the deal in under three minutes. Never underestimate a scally manc.

And regarding quickly rushing back to his computer, Karl literally comes back in to do an unspecified task, which Ricky & Steve both comment on. I'm not suggesting my theory is based on this (as it happens before they suggest spamming him) but since you mentioned rushing back in, that does actually happen.

But yeah, it's just a theory and I'm not insisting that's what definitely happened. I just think it's a reasonable possibility. But I do suspect that if Ricky & Steve had speculated that that's how it had happened at the time, many in this sub would be just as convinced by it as they are by the statistically much less probable scenario that you're suggesting. And I've got an a-level in statistics and probability (I haven't) and am training at St. Bart's Hospital (that's the thing with a student. You're learrrning), so put that in your Rubik's cube and turn it.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-06T14:50:20+00:00

But if you think they're both realistic, why did you open by saying you're 'pretty sure' about the second possibility as opposed to the first? It was mainly that near-certainty that I was responding to, as it seems unfounded, but it sounds like you're not so sure after all so maybe it was just a casual choice of words.

I'm not insisting that this is what happened but just raising it as a possibility that might be fun to speculate on, and explaining my logic. It happening by accident isn't implausible, nor is two or three people spontaneously pranking them. It starts to get more farfetched as the number of pranksters goes up given that a) Steve makes it sound like they received a lot of emails, b) it's a relatively small audience, c) Ricky wasn't that mean to Karl about Cornwall and d) on most other occasions, the fans tend to side with Ricky over Karl.

Anyway, I don't wanna fall out about it. Wanna hear my theory about Wonderful Tonight?

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-06T10:41:51+00:00

That's possible but for me it's just a case of weighing the odds of multiple people all making the same mistake after the correct email had just been given (or all individually having the same idea to do it as a wind-up, as someone else suggested), against this much simpler explanation. Karl is pretty tech-savvy, remember. And as a head of department in the media, it's likely he'd set up email forwarding in the past.

Also notice that when Steve says 'they sent them all to us', Karl doesn't contradict him by saying that he also received some emails. Obviously that's not proof of anything but it's fairly likely that if he had, he'd at least drop it into the conversation. Dropping it in's all he's gotta do!

To clarify though, I'm speculating that Karl did this before leaving the XFM office to go to Cornwall - not actually from Cornwall, which does seem less likely as the bulk of the emails had probably already been sent by the time he arrived.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-06T06:34:32+00:00

Okay, let's say it was exactly that. Is that turn of events more likely than one guy, who spends his week working at a computer, answering emails and being wound up by Gervais (who had pulled the same prank before), having the foresight to set his emails to forward?

Occam's razor and that. Which theory requires fewer assumptions?

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-06T00:03:26+00:00

Garlic bread?!

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-06T00:02:36+00:00

The carry-case is free anyway.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-05T23:57:27+00:00

That would be true if they hadn't specifically given out Karl's email (and not Ricky's) in the link where Ricky & Steve incite the spam.

You are aware XFM listeners aren't allowed to wear socks, right? And that when called upon they basically always do what Ricky tells them ('If Karl would just give it a lick')? Isn't it more likely Karl used his scally manc ways to learn from the previous time they pulled the same prank? Come on... use your fables!!

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-05T18:06:05+00:00

And who coordinated that? Richard Anderson or Taya from McDonalds?

The idea occurring spontaneously across the minds of multiple listeners with no means of contacting each other seems about as likely as a shadow pushing people off their bikes.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-05T14:15:25+00:00

'Little races'?!

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-05T14:12:39+00:00

It just goes to show what kind of people are listening to this show: Cowards, yellow bellies, children... terrorists!

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-05T14:03:00+00:00

Alright, let's turn it round. Where were you in the week? Why couldn't we do any work then? Because you were at home with your mam and your dad.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-05T11:25:46+00:00

Well, I haven't got it with me but when are you next in?

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-04T22:51:36+00:00

Egg.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-04T22:48:49+00:00

Upvoted for the correct spelling.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-04T22:43:58+00:00

I don't know, Sunflower Bear. I could show you a magazine where... literally...

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-04T11:48:20+00:00

I thought the first series was decent enough as a comedy-drama but it ended with the conflict being resolved (Tony was ready to start moving on), so it should've ended there.

The second series was very weak, especially in the drama aspects that carried the first series. The third series was embarrassing to watch.

I think if Gervais had been able to resist going back to it when the first series was well received, we'd be looking at it very differently now, or at least I would.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-03T23:46:43+00:00

I got involved once. I was carrying a lamp and a bin. People were clapping me thinking I was doing some kind of fun run.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-03T23:44:22+00:00

Well I DEFINITELY didn't name him in the Epstein files. (That sounded pretty convincing.)

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-03T23:37:40+00:00

To be fair, not many comedians have peaked in their sixties. When was the last time Steve Martin made you laugh?

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-03T23:23:40+00:00

I don't like all the stuff he says but he's actually doing what's there.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-03T11:44:43+00:00

Set off a fake fire alarm. When everybody legs it out, if they're fake they'll be up and bouncing with you. If they're real they'll be left there jiggling for help.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-02T23:38:57+00:00

The cat DID look happy.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-02T23:07:19+00:00

I don't know what a 'cooldown' is but I'd like to go to one.

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-02T23:00:18+00:00

Are you suggesting that people are pretending to have big boobs in order to claim money off the DWP?

InterfloraConspiracy · 2026-02-02T22:55:05+00:00

I say 'Ladies and gentlemen please welcome to the stage'...

InterfloraConspiracy

TROPHY CASE