Seeing Kathie Lee Gifford this morning on November 7’s “Today” show’s fun fourth hour might ease the sting of the midterm election night results or at least be a welcome distraction. Even before the British comedian could take his seat between Hoda Kotb and broadcasting BFF, Gifford, the veteran of morning chat was nearly swooning over Ricky Gervais as he waited in the kitchen area of the set.

Kathie Lee Gifford frequently refers to Gervais as “my favorite atheist,” and she doesn't keep their differing feelings regarding faith from cherishing their time together.

There is clearly a special place in Kathie Lee’s heart for men from across the pond. She broke into the theme song of her upcoming movie, “Then Came You,” starring the special Scottish-born and proud American citizen in her life, Craig Ferguson. She lamented to Ricky Gervais that he, too, could have starred in her passion project if only his busy schedule had permitted.

When the star of “The Office” original, created in England, took his seat, he returned the affection in hilarious fashion. He credited that it was a true inspiration to watch Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford at work in the morning, exclaiming that “they make lots of money, they get great ratings, and they’re idiots!” He praised the partners, saying he knew then that he could do anything, even something as ridiculous as his Sirius radio show.

That backhanded, playful compliment, delivered as only Ricky Gervais can do, triggered the ladies’ laughing, and it didn't stop for almost a full hour.

Not too serious

It wasn't long before Ricky Gervais was feeling right at home, as Kathie Lee Gifford gladly scratched his back. He declined the trademark beverage of wine that was offered, and instead, discussed his 37-year relationship with the author, Lady Jane Fallon, and their mutual love of animals.

He maintains that “all animals are lovely,” while, generally speaking, people are “awful,” but he still manages to “like them both.”

The funnyman was willing enough to wear nose warmers, insisting that they actually were intended for other parts of the body, and discussed his radio show, “Ricky Gervais: Deadly Serious” on Sirius XM radio as being, “the only thing worse than this show.” His guest this upcoming Tuesday will be Jerry Seinfeld, but he frequently features notables outside the realm of show business, discussing and debating a wide range of topics, from the environment to lifestyle and politics.

Gervais is also quite proud of his upcoming Netflix series, “After Life,” calling it the best work he's ever done. The catalyst for the story is a man who has just lost his wife, and he has to make money in order to feed his dog. He determines to say whatever he wants along this new chapter of living, The story seems to fit Ricky's sensibilities on all cylinders.

Truly funny people

Despite garnering Golden Globe and Emmy awards of his own, Ricky Gervais insists that “comedians are not the funniest people,” and Kathie Lee concurred.

With no hesitation, Gervais named his older brother, Bob, as the funniest person he has ever known. From his earliest childhood memory to visiting with neighbors and friends, Ricky praised that his brother had a gift for giving people laughter that was completely innate and untrained.

When Kathie Lee Gifford asked why Ricky had never cast his brother alongside himself in any project, supposing that he would be a natural, Gervais responded that “he’d get me in trouble.”

Some of Gervais’ targets in celebrity circles haven’t taken to kindly to the blunt honesty of the British comedian, but he maintains that any star’s public behavior fair game, while he never intends to deliberately “hurt a person or break the law.” Those remain his comedic boundaries.

Ricky Gervais understands the healing power of comedy on a personal level, too, relating how the jokes told at the funerals of his parents were a lasting balm of solace.

In response to a few deadly serious questions of his own, the humorist said that his greatest fear is “not making the most of the life I have” while he is here.

He explained that, in his view, the world was here 13 billion years before humans, and man’s stay on the planet is a mere blip before returning to nothing. Gervais view on the afterlife doesn't change his purpose to make this life matter.

With a country more divided than ever after the latest election, it's nice to remember that laughter works in any language, and transverses any barrier.
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