Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais has issued a sharp retort to critics who have accused him of complaining about so-called 'cancel culture' in his latest stand-up special for Netflix.
Gervais Defends His Comedy in 'Mortality'
The 64-year-old star's new show, titled Mortality, was released globally on the streaming platform on Tuesday. It was recorded earlier this year at the iconic London Palladium. In the special, Gervais tackles what he describes as a "really weird time" for comedy, taking aim at virtue-signalling and those who are quick to take offence.
Addressing the live audience, Gervais remarked on the nature of modern joke-telling. "It's great to hear this sort of laughter again," he said, "because you probably don't notice it as much as comedians, but we've had a really weird 10 years where we're really second-guessing jokes." He went on to claim a victory for comedians, stating, "People find anything offensive, but we pushed back, and we won. So f*** them."
The Social Media and 'Cancel' Debate
Gervais argued that social media has been a key driver of cancel culture, suggesting it allows people to claim virtue without proof. "With the advent of social media, people suddenly discovered they could just say they were virtuous. No evidence, no proof, just loads of flags in their bio," he explained in the show. He defined this behaviour as the root of virtue signalling, criticising the "smug" attitude of adopting the prevailing morality of the age.
The comedian also reflected on attempts to cancel him over his material, asserting they have always failed. "I'm too old now not to say what I want," Gervais declared. "I want to say and do what I want all the time."
Climbing Charts and Facing Backlash
Despite the controversy, Mortality has reached number one in the Netflix charts, receiving significant praise from viewers. However, it has also drawn criticism. One social media user accused Gervais of "whining about being 'canceled' from the center of the world's biggest stage" while profiting from a major Netflix deal.
Gervais did not hesitate to respond directly to the critique. "I’ve never moaned about being cancelled because I’ve never been cancelled," he fired back. "I have moaned about nurses and teachers and office workers being cancelled for stating honest opinions under certain authoritarian trends though. Luckily we’re coming out of that phase though. Thanks for watching."
The exchange highlights the ongoing cultural debate around free speech, comedy, and accountability that continues to play out in the public sphere.
