Fat is life: Why is this line from Kaamelot so iconic?

Three little words that still resonate nearly twenty years after their appearance on French television. “Fat is life,” uttered by Karadoc in Kaamelott, has become much more than a simple line: a mantra, a rallying cry, a cultural phenomenon that extends far beyond the scope of the series. Part gastronomic homage, part philosophy of life, this phrase has endured through the ages with insolent vitality. The Genesis of a Cult Culinary LineIn Book II of Kaamelott, entitled “Corpore sano,” Alexandre Astier sets the scene for a scene as simple as it is brilliant. Karadoc, the eternally hungry man, delivers his vision of the world through the prism of food. The context? A time when draconian diets and dietary regulations had not yet invaded our daily lives. What makes this line so powerful:

Its universality: everyone understands the love of good food

Its perfect timing in the episode Jean-Robert Lombard’s comic performanceIts liberating side in an increasingly standardized society

Karadoc, a philosopher in spite of himself

• The character played by Lombard is not just a simple glutton. Behind his crude exterior lies a form of popular wisdom. “Fat is life” perfectly sums up this philosophy of simple pleasure, far from the aristocratic complications of Arthur’s court.
• In the world of
• Kaamelott
• , this line is part of a long tradition of delicious dialogues around food. From Burgonde’s cereals to Perceval’s chips, the series is full of gastronomic references that echo our own culinary culture.

A line that has become an internet phenomenon

Over the years, “Fat is life” has left the small screen to invade social media. On Facebook memes and Twitter memes, the quote is everywhere, often accompanied by photos of melting cheese or appetizing sausage.

This ubiquity can be explained by several factors: Nostalgia for the 2000s, a golden age of French televisionJoyful opposition to current nutritional dictates The simplicity of the message, easy to repurpose and share Attachment to the character of Karadoc, an endearing antihero From the small screen to food culture The line has even inspired chefs and artisans. In 2025, we still find food trucks named “Le gras c’est la vie,” pastries paying homage to the series, and craft beers featuring the quote on their labels. Proof that the spirit of Karadoc still lives on in contemporary French cuisine.

Why does this phrase stand the test of time?

Unlike other lines that have become tiresome from being repeated (“It’s not false”), “Le gras c’est la vie” retains a surprising freshness. Perhaps because it touches on something essential: our visceral relationship with food and pleasure. In an era obsessed with well-being and health, this unashamed statement serves as a liberating breath of fresh air. It humorously reminds us that life isn’t worth living without its guilty pleasures, whether they’re a savory pretzel or a well-watered meal. One last key element: the line benefits from Astier Production’s talent for creating dialogue that is both simple and deeply human. As is often the case in Kaamelott, behind the apparent silliness lies a universal truth about the human condition.