Ricky Gervais breaks silence on 'offensive' joke causing outrage in Netflix special
Ricky Gervais has spoken about the backlash he has received for a controversial joke in his upcoming Netflix special.
In the new TV show, Armageddon, the comedian who has previously come under fire for gags he has told, makes a joke about children who use the Make a Wish foundation. He has now said he believes the outrage is “99 percent faux offense.” The celebrity has not apologized and instead compared it to being heckled, where he “wouldn’t stop the show and explain to them” and would “ignore them.”
Ricky Gervais and his controversial joke
A joke featured in the new set by Gervais, set to be released on Christmas Day, sees him use an ableist slur and make light of young children with cancer who use the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The organization helps terminally ill or youngsters with life-threatening conditions get one ‘wish’ including meeting celebrities or going on once-in-a-lifetime holidays.
During the skit, he says he doesn’t barge into hospital rooms and tell the patient, “Wake up, baldy.” He adds he asks children in his videos to them: “Why didn’t you wish to get better? What, you fucking r******* as well?”
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This has caused upset for many and has even seen a petition set up to get the joke removed. More than 12,000 people have now put their names on the Change.org form, which was started by a parent of a child who is battling cancer.
In the description, they wrote: “The recent skit by Ricky Gervais on Netflix, where he refers to terminally ill children as “baldy”, is not just disrespectful but also deeply hurtful. It mocks the courage and resilience of these young fighters, who face their illness with grace and beauty despite their baldness.
“Ricky Gervais’ jokes were not only distasteful but also heartless. They are a slap in the face to not only the children battling these serious illnesses but also their parents and families who stand by them through this difficult journey. His words have offended an entire community – those dealing with childhood cancer.”
The Office creator and star told BBC Radio 5 Live: “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?”
He continued: “They’re not really offended. They just want to be heard.”
The 62-year-old said “there were only a few” people who didn’t like his joke.
“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!’”
“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.”
People react to the segment
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) people have been sharing their views on whether Ricky Gervais was right or wrong to tell the controversial joke.
Someone else penned: “Not cool Ricky.”
Another wrote: “I love Ricky Gervais — He’s a very funny guy.”
“Yeah, I’m a fan but that made even me cringe….” said a third.
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