Comedian Ricky Gervais has robustly dismissed the idea that he could ever be 'cancelled', declaring that free speech is 'the most important human right there is'. The 64-year-old made the comments during an appearance on Capital Breakfast with Chris Stark, Jordan North and Sian Welby on Friday, just days before the release of his latest Netflix stand-up special.
'What Is Me Being Cancelled?'
When asked by host Chris Stark if he felt at risk of cancellation, Gervais was unequivocal. 'We've got to work for someone who can cancel you because I don't know what me being cancelled is,' he stated. 'What I'm not invited where? Where am I not invited?' He argued that true cancellation requires criminal activity or a genuine loss of popularity, adding that he is 'all for consequence culture' where actions have natural repercussions.
Emerging from a 'Weird' Phase for Comedy
Reflecting on the last decade, Gervais described a 'weird' period for comedians fraught with self-censorship. 'It has been weird for the last ten years as a comedian going "will that get me cancelled? Can I say that? Is that okay now?".' He believes society is now 'coming out of that' because, in his view, critics 'pushed too hard' and complained about issues that were not worthy of outrage.
The veteran comic contrasted today's climate with his early career, noting a shift in audience reactions. 'Twenty years ago... if I got a nice email from someone saying "oh, I didn't appreciate that" I would look into it,' he recalled. 'Now if someone says I'm offended I go "yeah, I know we all are, don't worry about it you'll get over it". People look to be offended.'
'Mortality': A New Chapter on Netflix
Gervais's comments come ahead of the global release of his fourth Netflix stand-up special, 'Ricky Gervais: Mortality', on December 30. He has billed the show as his 'most honest and confessional' work to date, exploring themes of life, death, and the state of the world with his signature dark humour. The special was filmed at the London Palladium earlier this year.
It follows the monumental success of his 2023 special, 'Armageddon', which hit number one on Netflix, won a Golden Globe, earned a Grammy nomination, and helped him secure a world record for the highest-grossing comedy gig at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
In a press release for 'Mortality', Gervais said: 'I think Mortality is my most honest and confessional show so far and also my favourite tour. I still can’t believe what a privilege it is to fly around the world making people laugh.'
Credit: Listen to Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby weekdays from 6am – 10am across the UK and on Global Player.
