Stephen Fry made a guest appearance on the chat show, "Friday Night With Jonathan Ross," where he discussed his recent travels and the fascinating mating habits of the Kākāpō, a parrot native to New Zealand. The talk show host, Jonathan Ross, introduced Stephen as the "Archbishop of comedy," and the audience applauded enthusiastically.
Stephen looked handsome and tanned, a result of his recent filming in Australia and New Zealand for a series about endangered species. He described how New Zealand had evolved over millions of years without any mammals, resulting in the development of unique bird species. Stephen focused on the Kākāpō, a large, flightless parrot that looks like a fat, wobbly owl.
He explained that the Kākāpō's laziness and inability to fly were due to the absence of predators for millions of years. However, when humans arrived, along with rats, cats, and dogs, the Kākāpō faced peril. Stephen emphasized that there are now only 90 Kākāpō left in the world.
Stephen also shared the bizarre mating habits of the Kākāpō. The males create a booming sound that can be heard for miles to attract females. However, the females find it challenging to locate the source of the deep noise, leading to a complex mating ritual. Stephen humorously compared this technique to that of darts players and their strategic moves.
During his travels, Stephen had the opportunity to witness the imprinting behavior of a Kākāpō that mistook a human as its parent. Mark Carwardine, a zoologist accompanying Stephen, had the Kākāpō perched on his shoulder, attempting to mate with him. Stephen found it both weird and fascinating.
Stephen expressed gratitude for being able to travel the world and document endangered species. He mentioned visiting the Amazon to study manatees, as well as Africa to learn about rhinoceroses and gorillas. However, he also mentioned the heartbreaking extinction of certain species such as the dolphin river in China and the northern white rhino.
The conversation took a turn when Ross asked Stephen about his experience with Twitter. Stephen defended the social media platform, explaining that he enjoys sharing his experiences with followers who appreciate his updates. He also mentioned his love for audio books, which he listens to while taking long walks.
Jonathan Ross then shifted the topic to Tom Cruise, praising his performance in "Tropic Thunder." The discussion veered towards the guests' impressions of Americans. Stephen expressed his fondness for Americans and their optimistic and honorable nature, rebuking the stereotype that portrays them in a negative light.
Overall, Stephen Fry's appearance on "Friday Night With Jonathan Ross" was filled with intriguing insights about his travels and the endangered species he encountered. His discussion about the Kākāpō's mating habits brought both laughter and thoughtfulness to the conversation.
