Ricky Gervais brands those offended by ‘transphobic’ Caitlyn Jenner joke ‘whiny c**ts’
British comedian Ricky Gervais has defended his unique brand of humour, which was out in full swing at last weekend’s Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles.
The 54-year-old has faced a fair amount of criticism from some quarters over a joke he made about Caitlyn Jenner during his seven-minute opening monologue, despite intially promising the audience of Hollywood A-listers that he was “going to be nice”.
“I’ve changed. Not as much as Bruce Jenner obviously, now Caitlyn Jenner of course. What a year she’s had,” Gervais said.
“She became a role model for trans people everywhere, showing great bravery in breaking down barriers and destroying stereotypes. She didn’t do a lot for women drivers, but you can’t do everything.”
Despite the fact that the joke centred on Jenner’s role in a fatal car accident back in February 2015, some were quick to denounce the quip as transphobic, seemingly simply for the fact it mentioned Jenner’s former name and made any reference to gender at all.
Gervais has since defended himself on Twitter, insisting that he is not transphobic and poking fun at the seemingly manufactured outrage.
Suggesting a joke about Caitlin Jenner is automatically transphobic is like suggesting a joke about Bill Cosby is automatically racist.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 12, 2016
Viewer: I'm offended by a joke you made.
Me: So?
Viewer: You gonna apologise?
Me: No.
Viewer: Then I won't watch you again.
Me: Correct— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 12, 2016
In fact, the star of The Office spent the greater part of Tuesday filling his feed with comments about the controversy.
What if it was about her killing someone with her car? Would that be ok? https://t.co/IvAttciK7x
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 12, 2016
But it WAS Bruce Jenner who changed. Into Caitlyn Jenner. And I respect that. Just not her driving. https://t.co/suU77u61o8
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 12, 2016
I made a joke about Caitlyn Jenner killing someone in her car. I'm #TransportPhobic.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 12, 2016
You have every right to be offended. Just don't cry when no one cares.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 12, 2016
Don't offended people realise they are doing my marketing for me. pic.twitter.com/FgYsri0vGa
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 12, 2016
Hosting The Globes has made me want to do a new stand up show next year. Now THAT'S when you're allowed to be offended. You whiney cunts 🙂
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 12, 2016
Meanwhile, Australian comic and Dame Edna Everage creator Barry Humphries recently sparked outrage after making some genuinely transphobic comments about the ‘self-mutilated’ former Olympian – click here to read more.
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