We all knew the new Ricky Gervais special would generate outrage – it only took a matter of hours.
Before taking the stage in his new Netflix standup special, “Supernature,” Ricky Gervais is given the common introduction, but with a slight twist. The voice introducing Gervais is Gervais himself, saying to the auditorium, “Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Please, welcome to the stage, a man who really doesn’t need to do this – Ricky Gervais.” This should serve as an indicator to this country’s reactionary groups that this is a man who truly is unbothered by the concept of offending with his comedic material.
The echo was of He hosted the Golden Globes many times.The awards ceremony was where Gervais gave some sharp roast-level barbs at celebrities. At times, Gervais would say unapproved things, pint glass in hand, and follow it up with “Don’t care…don’t care.” Gervais is a welcome tonic to our current climate of political correctness/wokeness/hypersensitivity. His content might not suit everyone but his delivery style and indifference to the woke mob is a great catharsis. To appreciate his work, you don’t even need to like him.
Netflix recently issued a letter to workers telling them that if offended by the platform’s content then maybe they need to seek employment elsewhere. Perhaps this was what the company meant by the stand-up. The predictable outrage over his special erupted literally within hours. His new special was released by Netflix at midnight Tuesday. GLAAD issued its first issue on the morning of April 1, 2008.His impertinent disapproval.
For the record, this means that although the group did not react to an outcry and its members camped out holding a remote, waiting for the premiere. The protestors were there before the majority of the members from the woke mob awoken from their basements or dorm rooms.
“We watched the Ricky Gervais ‘comedy’ special on Netflix so you don’t have to. It’s full of graphic, dangerous, anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes. He spreads false information about HIV and uses anti-gay language. Attention Ricky and Netflix: people living with HIV today, when on effective treatment, lead long and healthy lives and cannot transmit HIV to others.”
These people were clearly intent on being offended, and they wrote an angry rant once their beliefs were confirmed. The segment on HIV/AIDS today is a perfect example. Attention GLAAD! Gervais spoke about this very topic in his routine. As for this section being “inaccurate,” he has a lengthy passage where he has a conversation between God and the AIDS virus. The whole thing was a hoax for comedy’s sake. There was no one to take notes on what really happened decades ago.
It is typical for its outrageous reactions. Gervais claims that Gervais’ standup routine can be dangerous and lead to violence. However, they ignore many of Gervais’ comments. His act begins with a joke about female comedians. He follows it up immediately.
“Okay, right. Okay, that was irony. There’s going to be a bit of that throughout the show. Try to spot it. Now, that’s when I say something I don’t really mean for comic effect, and you as the audience laugh at the ‘wrong thing’, because you know what the right thing is. It’s a way of satirizing attitudes.”
Gervais’s glib segue is not intended for his audience. He was preparing for the inevitable pedantic backlash. He is attempting to point out to the humorless scolds — such as the PR team from GLAAD — that there is no need to lose their minds over jokes. This is evident in GLAAD’s comment that he made deep into the show.
Gervais spoke directly to those who might be pursuing him. Gervais made a joke about someone who might identify themselves as an inanimate object. But if they criticize you, then YOU will be deemed bigot.
“That’s a bit hack that joke. It’s a bit old-fashioned. But I’m going to leave it in, to annoy people, right. Because THAT is the bit that’ll annoy people. I talk about AIDS, famine, cancer, the Holocaust, rape, pedophilia – but No, the one thing you mustn’t joke about is identity politics. You should not joke about the transgender issue. Trans people just want equality.
I agree — that’s why I include them.”
It is a very true sentiment. Consider what you heard first from trans people and the subsequent conversations. Their goals include being treated equally and demanding special treatment. While everyone is equal, certain communities should never be made the center of attention.
Being accepted is not enough, you must be regarded as exceptional. In my podcast episode, I mentioned this.It isn’t enough for LGBTp groups to have a day of commemoration or a month. Right now, those under the LGBTπ banner have more than one-third of the calendar dedicated to memorializing their pride. This is more than acceptance. GLAAD has posted comments about it.
Netflix has some great LGBTQ-themed shows but it doesn’t have its own comedy policy. Our allies and the LGBTQ community have stated that comedians who use hate speech to replace humor and media companies which provide them with platforms will be held responsible.
You need to be sensitive to the needs of our group and allow us to speak up, but also silence anyone who doesn’t conform to our strict standards. These rules don’t apply to any other group. The sophomoric attitude is that they simultaneously claim they are unique, while also demanding special protections since they cannot bear jokes made by comedians.
Gervais also gave another lesson to the hectoring group, but it was ignored. A bit paraphrasing Gervais, he said that although it wasn’t accurate to state that one comedian was not funny it is true that they are that. Please enter your email addressHe is not funny. The same goes for offensive people. Please enter your email addressSomeone found something offensive. Please enter your email address. However, this solitary fact leads to others declaring certain content must be banned/censored. All.
Humor and offensiveness are subjective. There is another parallel in the example. You are not required to see it, regardless of whether it’s funny or offensive.
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