Ricky Gervais responds to Netflix joke backlash: 'It's meaningless'
The comedian calls the criticism "faux offence".
Ricky Gervais has responded to backlash about his upcoming Netflix special, in which he jokes about terminally-ill children.
Armageddon is due to be released on the streamer on Christmas Day, but some people have criticised the comedian following a teaser clip that was released in anticipation of the comedy special.
In the clip, Gervais speaks about the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects on when terminally ill children ask for videos from him.
"Only if they request it obviously," he says. "I don't burst into hospitals and go, 'Wake up baldy.'"
He continues: "I always say yes. And I always start the video the same way. I go, 'Why didn't you wish to get better?", before using a slur for a person with an intellectual disability.
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Concluding the joke, Gervais said: "I don't do that either, OK? These are all jokes, alright? I don't even use that word in real life. The R word. I used it in a joke, that's not real life, is it? I'm playing a role."
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Following the clip going viral, a Change.org petition was launched titled 'Demand Netflix to Remove Ricky Gervais's Offensive Skit Mocking Terminally Ill Children'.
The petition was organised by Anna Bella, who 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.
"Ricky Gervais's 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."
In an interview with Nihal Arthanayake on BBC Radio 5 Live's Headliners podcast, Gervais opened up about the backlash, and said: "I'm literally saying in the joke that I don't do that. But people have a reaction.
"They don't analyse it. They feel something – that's what offence is. It's a feeling. That's why 'I'm offended' is quite meaningless. What do you want me to change?"
He went on to say that he believes "99 per cent" of the outrage is "faux offence".
"They're not really offended. They just want to be heard," he continued.
"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 to placate them, I've annoyed the other millions of people that got the joke. They go, 'No, you've ruined it for us!"
The comedian concluded: "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."
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