feedback/ Ricky Gervais actor, comedian Have a conversation with the chatty creator of the award-winning sitcom The Office, and it can be hard to distinguish the truth from a clever zinger. With the release of his new film, The Invention of Lying, on September 25, fans and movie audiences alike can see for themselves. “I’m a loser,” Gervais says of his character. “Then I discover I can lie, and suddenly the shoe’s on the other foot.” We caught up with the comedian to hear about his other favorite truths on animals, alcohol, and food. INTERVIEW BY BEKAH WRIGHT The British funnyman follows his conscience (but keeps his wicked sense of humor) wherever he eats. What would people be surprised What’s the perfect snack? adults, from mammals down not someone who likes to find in your kitchen? Chicken satay dipped in to insects. Antelopes eat deep-sea squid wrapped in Two fridges of wine and peanut sauce or cheese on toast. fermented apples and go down pure gold. I’m not having Champagne. I never want I love salt and monosodium to the watering hole the next it. I want starch, cheese, to run out of chilled Pinot glutamate—the end of instant day and they’re hungover. and chewy, nice meat with Grigio or Fumé Cuvée. ramen noodles when you salt. I don’t eat mollusks, haven’t mixed it well and it’s Where is your favorite restaurant, crustaceans, eels, or squid. Name three foods that are always the strongest bit. Oh, man, and what do you order there? I’ll do deep-fried scampi, in your refrigerator. what a hit that is. I’ve had some ‘21’ Club in New York is when they’ve taken the shell Never without a nice, mature amuse-bouches in restaurants fantastic. I have the Boston off and popped it in a crispy cheddar. I’m a big ball of gout where I’ve insulted them by Bibb salad followed by the crumb. Now it doesn’t live waiting to happen, aren’t saying, “That’s like instant roast chicken with mash. in a shell. It lives in a lovely, I? You’ll find everything in ramen!” They look at me like Once, I went after having deep-fried crispy crumb. ES G there organic and free-range, I’m an idiot. been on David Letterman A from fruits and vegetables to the night before. They What would you never eat? IM eggs and chicken. It’s a pretty Any favorite indulgences? recognized me and gave my I’ve got a few moralistic issues. healthy fridge. I’m a high- Here’s the bottom line. Cheese, girlfriend, Jane, and me free I won’t eat any animal that’s protein, high-fiber kind of wine, and Champagne are pudding. Now if we go to a been mistreated, abused, or ENETT/GETTY guy. The cupboard, however… amazing. Salt and chocolate nice restaurant, we’ve got to hasn’t had a good life. I do eat B I refuse to cut out every are amazing. It’s not rocket have a nice pudding. fish and chicken, but it’s got to single treat and vice. I’d rather science. We’re mammals—we be free-range, organic. I’ve got work out for an extra hour that like fat, salt, and alcohol. What’s the most unusual thing to sleep at night. Fine dining is kills me if I can sit down and Mammals love alcohol. You you’ve ever eaten? wasted on me. That’s the truth. eat a lump of cheese and have a know, drunkenness occurs Accidentally, flies and spiders. I don’t feel like I’m missing out. glass of wine, to be honest. the same in animals as in I’m so unadventurous. I’m I’ll keep with the chicken. M. BY DAVE PORTRAIT 130/ FOR MORE DETAILS, SEE SOURCEBOOK. illustration b y m a s a.