Ricky Gervais Hits Back Over 'Transphobic' Golden Globes Gags
Ricky Gervais has hit back over accusations that jokes he made while presenting the 2016 Golden Globes on Sunday night were transphobic.
Gervais kicked off his monologue – his fourth time presenting the awards show – with a joke about Caitlyn Jenner’s transition.
He later also joked about the show ‘Transparent’, which stars Jeffrey Tambor as a man who decides to become a transgender woman.
Twitter went wild with accusations that the comedian’s jokes were offensive, but now he’s spoken out in his own defence.
Suggesting a joke about Caitlin Jenner is automatically transphobic is like suggesting a joke about Bill Cosby is automatically racist.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 12, 2016
You have every right to be offended. Just don’t cry when no one cares.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 12, 2016
Do people not realise that when they say they are offended by a joke it makes that joke even funnier for the rest of us.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 12, 2016
Jenner was among a wide range of celebrities that were skewered by ‘The Office’ star.
“I’m going to be nice tonight. I’ve changed,” he said. “Not as much as Bruce Jenner, obviously… now Caitlyn Jenner. What a year she’s had.
“She became a role model for trans people everywhere, showing great bravery in breaking down barriers and destroying stereotypes. She didn’t do a lot for women drivers, but you can’t have everything, can you?”
The last part of the gag referred to Jenner’s involvement in a fatal car crash last year.
He then spoke about his admiration for Jeffrey Tambor in 'Transparent’, before adding: “That takes balls. So I don’t know how he does it.”
Many found both gags offensive, taking to Twitter to air their views.
There are a billionty great Caitlyn Jenner jokes. Calling her “Bruce” isn’t one of them.
— Emerson Collins (@ActuallyEmerson) January 11, 2016
ummmm Ricky with these Caitlyn Jenner jokes? nope. #GoldenGlobes
— Franchesca Ramsey (@chescaleigh) January 11, 2016
The entire cast of Transparent deserves an award for classily enduring lazy, transphobic jokes at every single awards show they attend.
— Maris Kreizman (@mariskreizman) January 11, 2016
and he won’t stop. this disgusting. transphobic comments mocking Caitlyn Jenner and now #Transparent. this is awful. #GoldenGlobes
— Kevin Allred (@KevinAllred) January 11, 2016
thank god for Jeffrey tambor for refusing to laugh at the transphobic and misogynist jokes MY HEROOOO #GoldenGlobes
— deja lu. (@kristothelu) January 11, 2016
Gervais also joked about the gender pay gap being 'brilliant for the studios because they get guaranteed box office results and they don’t have to spend too much money on the cast’.
Then, joking about Ben Affleck’s marriage woes, he introduced Matt Damon as 'the only person that Ben Affleck hasn’t been unfaithful to’.
He also mocked Mel Gibson extensively through the show, notably for his problems with alcohol and his now infamous anti-semitic outburst, signing off the show with: “From myself and Mel Gibson, shalom.”
Gibson fought back, however, quipping as he arrived on stage to present an award: “I love seeing Ricky every three years because it reminds me to get a colonoscopy.”
Gervais has since said that the outrage has made him want to devise a new stand-up show for next year.
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Image credits: AP/Amazon
