Ricky Gervais has made enemies out of a string of big names both on AND off screen – as the politically-incorrect comic is accused of ‘bullying’ by his former tour partner
As a long-time fan of British comedy, I find myself deeply entrenched in the playful banter between James Corden and Ricky Gervais, two giants in the industry who have managed to keep their friendship alive despite the occasional jabs at each other.
In contrast to many other comics, avoiding controversial or politically sensitive material isn’t something you’d find in Ricky Gervais’ history of humor.
The comedian, aged 63, has always avoided the threat of being “canceled,” a term for public backlash leading to career damage. Previously, he’s stirred controversy through his actions, both on and off-stage. Some people have voiced their less-than-positive experiences collaborating with him.
On a Wednesday, fellow humorist Robin Ince disclosed that his health was affected due to the rigors of touring alongside Ricky, as recurrent jabs left him developing a rash.
Despite their disagreement, they continued to be friends for numerous years – that is, until he openly criticized Ricky for his remarks concerning the transgender community in 2022.
Ever since his rise to stardom as the creator and actor in The Office, Ricky has combined his acclaimed acting performances with numerous jabs aimed at what is often referred to as the “woke movement.” Topics such as transgender rights, identity politics, and the concept of cancellation have been among his targets.
Despite facing criticism about his comments earlier, Ricky has expressed his enthusiasm for testing limits with his highly anticipated comeback to stand-up comedy, as shown in his 2023 stand-up special titled Armageddon.
In recent years, Ricky has boosted his wealth further by securing an advantageous long-term agreement with the streaming titan, Netflix, which broadcasted his most recent comedy show titled “After Life.
His sold-out comedy shows, titled Mortality among others, have gained attention not only on the live stage but also on streaming platforms. Additionally, earnings from the popular BBC series The Office are expected to increase this year with the launch of its upcoming American remake.
TopMob examines the diverse array of nicknames or terms used by individuals who’ve had less than favorable encounters with Ricky.
Leaving his tour partner with a rash and hair loss
Comedian Robin Ince asserts that the jibes Ricky hurled at him during their touring stint had a detrimental impact on his bodily well-being.
Looking back on it now, Ince believes it was indeed bullying, he said. He has a knack for adapting to situations where he might think, ‘wow, this certainly feels strange.’
My acquaintances weren’t fond of how that relationship functioned. It wasn’t an ordeal per se, but after just two weeks, I developed a stress rash visible as red bumps, according to my doctor. I believe my hair is shedding excessively now.
On The Starting Line podcast, Ince asserted that Gervais’s behavior, which some might label as bullying, had escalated to such an extent that Mackenzie Crook, his co-star from The Office, intervened and addressed the issue with him directly.
In 2015, Robin expressed his decision to retire, admitting that he had been grappling with self-doubt, sleeplessness, and remorse about neglected family time. However, he re-entered the same field a year later.
At present, he is the co-host of BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage along with Brian Cox, and he is also one of the creators of the Christmas stage production Nine Lessons and Carols for Nonbelievers.
Robin continued their friendship with Gervais, aged 63, up until the year 2022, when he penned a critical blog entry regarding the comedian’s humor towards transgender individuals, as seen in his Netflix comedy special titled SuperNature.
‘It is easy to forget the collateral damage of jokes,’ Ince said.
In his writing, he pointed out that jokes against transgender individuals have become financially lucrative, yet they disregard the dehumanizing impact on an already vulnerable group. He further stated, “I think Ricky sees it as just being a mischievous boy.” However, I believe this behavior elevates him to a hero and model for far-right extremists.
2014 saw Robin having an EEG test conducted at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, which recorded how his brain responded to different auditory signals.
In a recently rediscovered video, Robin seemed noticeably dejected upon hearing Ricky’s well-known laughter, as the caption indicated it triggered ‘feelings of avoidance, apprehension, and sadness.’
Being confronted by his producer over ‘uncomfortable’ jibes
During his tenure as producer for the highly praised BBC comedy series The Office, Ash Atalla confessed that Ricky’s continuous humor regarding disabilities caused him to experience a slight sense of unease.
In 2001, during The Office’s win at the British Comedy Awards, Gervais humorously referred to Atalla, who is wheelchair-bound, as the show’s “chief organizer.
He also referred to Atalla as ‘my little wheelchair friend’ and quipped that he was ‘just the same as Stephen Hawking, but without all the clever stuff.’
2021 saw Ash expressing in an interview with The Times that he didn’t take offense to Ricky’s remarks back then, but his feelings have changed significantly over the years.
He said: ‘I felt a little bit uncomfortable. There was a period of late Nineties comedy with the likes of Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Carr and Frankie Boyle where the game was – see what you could get away with and then reverse intellectualise it.
Initially, those jokes did not upset me, but if they were told today, I would find them troubling. Nowadays, I would not tolerate numerous jokes being made about my wheelchair, and I don’t wish to be labeled or categorized based on it.
Clashing with James Acaster
Last year, a comedy routine by stand-up comedian James Acaster stirred up quite the buzz on social media as an old video of him mocking Ricky Gervais was rediscovered.
On Christmas Day, Ricky’s stand-up special Armageddon stirred a massive wave of criticism due to the offensive humor concerning refugees and critically ill kids.
In the 2022 Netflix special “SuperNature,” Ricky made jokes that involved transgender individuals, Adolf Hitler, and AIDS.
The American LGBT rights organization labeled his speech as ‘containing harmful content,’ while Stonewall criticized him for ‘mocking the transgender community.’
The show saw him talk to the audience about cancel culture and the transgender issues saying: ‘Ah women. Not all women, I mean the old-fashioned women, you know the ones with wombs? Those f***ing dinosaurs.
“I really appreciate the unique individuals I’ve recently encountered who identify as nonbinary or transgender. They are truly remarkable, aren’t they? Their authenticity and courage inspire me. I admire them greatly.
As a devoted admirer, I find it rather baffling when some traditionalists express concern about the idea of “them” using our facilities. But let me remind you, they identify as women – just take a peek at their chosen pronouns! So, what’s the big deal if they use the ladies’ room? After all, it’s about respecting and accommodating everyone, regardless of gender.
As a lifestyle guide, I’d like to clarify a sensitive topic. It’s important to respect everyone’s identity and personal experiences. Instead of questioning someone’s femininity by referring to their genitalia, let’s focus on their actions, words, and the way they identify themselves.
In response to Ricky’s comments directed towards the transgender community, I stood up against them by addressing them during a reemerged skit from my 2019 stand-up special, titled “Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999.
In this context, the host of the Off Menu podcast stated that many comedians who are considered “edgy” tend to resemble him in terms of race and gender, and they have the freedom to express themselves without anyone restricting their speech. Essentially, they can say whatever they want without being told what is or isn’t appropriate for them to say.
Option A: They confidently step onto the stage, often leading with derogatory comments about transgender individuals, maintaining a continuous 10-minute joke at their expense. From the get-go, they immediately target transgender people for mockery.
When internet users express disapproval, the comedian typically responds with, “Sorry to disappoint! That’s part of my role as a stand-up comic. I exist to provoke thought and push boundaries. If you find this uncomfortable, perhaps it’s best to avoid my performances. Seems like they’re a bit too intense for your taste?
As an ardent admirer, I couldn’t help but exclaim multiple times, “Indeed, it’s high time for a test of mettle, and that person is none other than the transgender community!
As a lifestyle advisor, I must say, it seems they’ve been unmindful for quite some time. Your courage in sparking this conversation will likely lead them to reflect on their privileges during their commute tonight. Bravo! You, a valiant ally, have made a significant difference.
Previously, Acaster would mention one of the comedians whose act was centered around him. However, he admitted that this would lead to an uncomfortable atmosphere.
‘He found out that while many continue to laugh at transgender individuals, they are not yet amused by Ricky Gervais. That’s the divide I’ve observed for 2019.’
The video was shared multiple times by enthusiastic fans, who swiftly complimented James on his “excellent and fitting” humor.
A never-ending feud with James Corden
Among the longstanding comedic banter on television, there’s a continuous friendly rivalry between James Corden (from Ricky and Stacey/Gavin & Stacey) and an unnamed counterpart, frequently exchanging jabs at each other. Yet, they both maintain that it’s simply good-natured humor behind their playful feud.
2022 saw James Corden being allegedly caught copying a joke from Ricky, regarding the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, in his monologue at that time.
On Halloween evening, Ricky shared a video snippet from the talk-show host, humorously quipping that whenever Elon Musk discusses Twitter, he tends to say, “It’s like the public square.
However, such a scenario isn’t likely. If someone hangs a poster in the town square announcing ‘guitar lessons available’, it wouldn’t prompt townsfolk to exclaim, “I don’t wish to learn guitar! I desire piano lessons, you imbecile!” Instead, those who are interested in learning guitar would approach, while others might simply ignore or pass by.
“That notice wasn’t intended for your use; it was meant for someone else. There’s no need to feel upset or annoyed.
After initially making the statement, Ricky quickly pointed out some similarities using a sarcastic post on Twitter. However, he later removed it, and subsequently shared that he took down the tweet because he began to empathize with Corden due to the negative response he was facing.
Ricky mentioned during a conversation on the Headliners podcast that yes, he had directly communicated with Corden. He explained, “He did. I said ‘Don’t worry about it’, I said ‘if your writers were in the back of the room when I was warming up and you got it out there before I did it on Netflix…’, but if you think of James Corden any way you want, there is no possibility he intentionally stole my joke thinking he could get away with it.
Inquired about any regret in responding, Ricky responded: “No, since I have the freedom to do so. I wasn’t aware of how it unfolded. I found it amusing. I thought it was preposterous that it was so blatantly copied.
However, I’m still unsure of how he accessed it, since the author likely guided him step-by-step or said “Perform this action and then that”. Alternatively, he may have seen it five years ago but failed to remember and assumed he had imagined it himself. Such instances can occur as well.
There are instances where copying occurs unintentionally, while the majority of work is original. It seems that this method is a part of my regular practice, but I doubt he independently developed it. Instead, I suspect either someone else proposed it to him without mentioning it was mine, or perhaps the person involved forgot they had seen my work.
In a fair manner, Ricky pointed out, “I’m unsure, but I think it’s unlikely that James Corden saw that and decided to straight-up copy it. It simply doesn’t add up.
It’s inconceivable that James Corden didn’t realize it was inappropriate. After all, it was the most significant event of the year. It’s hard to believe he thought he could cheat or deceive anyone with such a performance.
‘He was horrified. No chance,’ concluded Ricky.
In the comedy special Armageddon, Ricky made another jibe at James, as they discussed a site designed for users to find out if a pet (either a dog or cat) dies in a specific movie or TV program.
He said: ‘This website was founded in 2010, so it’s run about 13 years and the later questions start reflecting the times we live in now and they get more and more fragile and narcissistic.
“This year, these questions were posed. A comment was made about Schindler’s List, and someone asked, ‘Is there anything about weight humor in it?’ Could adding such a question potentially worsen the situation?
‘Someone asks, ”Is there hate speech?” Yeah… suck it up buttercup,’ before going onto read out questions of whether ‘someone is misgendered’ or whether there is ‘any antisemitism’ in the film or if it has a ‘sad ending’.
He then added: ‘I asked one question myself on this, is James Corden in it?’
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2024-09-18 15:36