Yesterday I saw the funniest Atheism-related episode ever. It’s from the third episode of Extras, a British sitcom written and directed by atheist Ricky Gervais. Here he is as the lead character, Andy:
Andy: I’m an atheist.
Maggie: What one’s that? Is that the one where you haven’t decided what…
Andy: No, that’s agnostic. I’m an atheist. I firmly believe there is no God.
Maggie: Why?
Andy: Wh… The burden of proof is not on me. The burden of proof is on the people who say there is a God. I don’t believe in God, I believe in science.
Maggie: Do you not believe in anything like ghosts or spirits or anything?
Andy: No, I don’t believe in ghosts or spirits or elves. Certainly not God, no.
Maggie: So what do you think happens when you die?
Andy: Well, if you’re buried, you go in the ground and you’re worm food.
Maggie: See, I don’t like that. I would rather believe that there is a God and your soul just floats away on to eternity. All your friends from school will be there, all the ones you haven’t seen for ages, and all your dead pets and just, like, all nice people. You don’t have to worry about worms.
Andy: You believe in God, then.
Maggie: I think I need to go for a wee.
That’s how they lead into the situation, but how it develops I will not spoil for you. All I can say is it’s even funnier (and a bit more painful) than watching Kate Winslet talk dirty while wearing a nun costume 😉
[…] Extras Atheism Subplot […]
I wondered about that, too. I watch a lot of stand-up comics, but I have yet to find one that seemed like an out and open atheist.
Will check that out, thank Tania! I wonder if there's a Filipino atheist comic…
I love "Extras". If you want to check out another atheist (agnostic) comic, Eddie Izzard is hilarous too, and, I think, makes the best stand up shows. And not just because he does them in heels and make-up.
@Geri:
I like House, too, but I don't love it. The medical mystery stuff are too much fluff for me. The relationships and drama are enough to keep me watching, though.
Good one 😀 I'll be sure to check out all his other stuff soon. Though his work on The Office (both British and American) is enough to make me a believer.
Hah! Love Extras. Gervais is my poster-boy for 'atheism'. Should see his stand-ups as well–so far I've seen the one on Animals and other on Fame. His most recent is called Science. In Fame he mentions a conversation with his friend Glin and Karl Pilkington:
On the subject of fame, right, did you see Celebrity Love Island last year when Bianca Gascoigne said: her all-time hero was Calum Best? Glin went, "Calum Best? But he's only famous because of who his dad was." And Karl went, "Yeah, but you can say the same thing about Jesus."
From House, M.D. tv series
Dr. Allison Cameron: Do you know why people believe in God?
Dr. Gregory House: I thought you didn't believe in God.
Dr. Allison Cameron: I don't.
Dr. Gregory House: Well then, you'd better be making a very good point.
Dr. Allison Cameron: Do you think they pray to Him and praise Him because they want Him to know how great He is? God already knows that.
Dr. Gregory House: Are you comparing me to God? I mean, that's great, but just so you know, I've never made a tree.