Ricky Gervais defends joke after calls to remove it from Netflix special

Last Updated on December 29, 2023

It seems like it’s at least once a year that Ricky Gervais makes waves for a joke made at the expense of others. And with that normally comes a defense or casual brushing off. Ahead of the release of his new Netflix special, Armageddon, Gervais is blasting the “faux offense” taken at one joke that uses the “r-word”. The bit itself involves the comedian commenting on making videos for Make-A-Wish children, to which he asks the kids, “Why didn’t you wish to get better? What, you f*cking retarded as well?” He, too, notes that he doesn’t greet the kids as “baldy”. This was not seen as heroic…

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live (via Deadline), Ricky Gervais remarked, “I’m literally saying in the joke that I don’t do that. But people have a reaction. They don’t analyze it. They feel something – that’s what offense is. It’s a feeling. That’s why ‘I’m offended’ is quite meaningless. What do you want me to change?” As we know, Ricky Gervais doesn’t care one bit about anyone who comes after him for his jokes, even declaring of Armageddon that it could be the one to finally get him canceled.

Ricky Gervais also noted that his responsibilities as a comedian don’t involve pleasing everyone (no kidding!) but rather giving his fans what they want. “Of all the millions of people that watched it and loved it, only a few don’t like it…If I give them special attention and try and placate them, I’ve annoyed the other millions of people that got the joke. They go, ‘No, you’ve ruined it for us!’” He added, “I’ve got a duty to the people that like it and get it. I wouldn’t sit down with a heckler would I? If I’m playing to 20,000 people, I wouldn’t stop the show and explain to them. I ignore them.” Gervais is also encouraging people who might be offended to just skip the special entirely, something they often forget is even possible.

Ricky Gervais seems unlikely to be canceled at any point, as stirring up trouble at awards shows and using politically incorrect language has long been part of his schtick. Netflix cutting the joke in question would be like asking him to change into a different color t-shirt.

Armageddon is set to debut on Netflix on December 25th.

Do you think Ricky Gervais’ joke is offensive or is it just a part of his act? Will you watch Armageddon?