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As Netflix Releases Mortality, Ricky Gervais Says Only Working Class Are 'Safe' to Mock

His remarks revive criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates including GLAAD.

Overview

  • In a BBC Radio 4 This Cultural Life interview, Gervais said comedians face backlash for most targets except the working class.
  • He said he now avoids jokes about disadvantaged people and would add trigger warnings, noting he would not rewrite past work though he might approach it differently today.
  • Mortality, his latest stand-up special, is released on Netflix on December 30.
  • GLAAD condemned his comments, calling them “dangerous, anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes.”
  • The debate builds on criticism of his 2022 Netflix special SuperNature and new reflections from producer Ash Atalla, who now questions disability jokes he once encouraged.