Ricky Gervais has spoken out against cancel culture, warning that attempts to silence comedians threaten freedom of speech. The 59-year-old comedian, known for his biting humour, said that while people have the right to stop watching a performer, trying to get someone fired for their opinions is unacceptable.
In an interview, Gervais drew a distinction between personal choice and censorship. 'You turning off your own TV isn't censorship. You trying to get other people to turn off their TV, because you don't like something they're watching, that's different,' he said. He added that while everyone is entitled to criticise or boycott a comedian, no one should face legal action for a joke.
Gervais also criticised celebrities who complained during lockdown while essential workers endured long shifts. He singled out Gal Gadot's video of celebrities singing 'Imagine' as particularly tone-deaf. 'I didn't want to be on that side of history – “I'm going to end this by singing you Imagine!” You're not gonna hear me complaining when there are nurses doing 14-hour shifts,' he said.
The comedian, who is writing the third series of 'After Life' and rewriting his show 'SuperNature', acknowledged that the pandemic will be impossible to ignore in his work. However, he aims to keep his material timeless by tackling dark subjects like famine, cancer and the Holocaust. 'That sounds weird to pick out those things for comedy, but you do want people to know what you're talking about in ten years' time,' he explained.
Speaking in support of the Edinburgh Fringe, Gervais said lockdown has made him appreciate live audiences more than ever. 'All the money, the awards, the accolades – they don't mean anything if people aren't watching your show,' he said. He recalled his first paid booking at Just The Tonic in Edinburgh and expressed eagerness to return to the stage.
