Ricky Gervais Defends Shredding Hollywood Elites at Golden Globes
Liberal critics bash comedian, claim making fun of hypocrisy is 'right-wing talking point'
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British comedian Ricky Gervais is hitting back at liberal critics of his bombshell opening monologue at the 2020 Golden Globes, during which he historically trashed major corporations, the super-wealthy, Hollywood elites, and hypocrisy among the rich and famous.
Gervais responded to mainstream media criticism of his performance as host, pointing out that he took humorous aim at targets that liberals usually love to hate.
On Monday, Gervais tweeted that people have been calling his jokes from Sunday's awards ceremony “right-wing,” despite the populist angle of his routine.
“How the f**k can teasing huge corporations, and the richest, most privileged people in the world be considered right wing?” Gervais asked in response to a claim that making fun of hypocritical celebrities is "a right-wing talking point."
How the fuck can teasing huge corporations, and the richest, most privileged people in the world be considered right wing? đ #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/rfXdGrZ41j
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 6, 2020
Gervais comments appeared to be in response to comments like those from Vanity Fair writer and former Entertainment Weekly editor Mark Harris, who complained that's bashing Hollywood's elite is "stupid" and a "problem."
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"Here's my Ricky Gervais problem:" Harris squealed on Twitter.
"The idea that celebrities are not only pampered babies but hypocrites who cause the problems they make speeches deploring and should therefore shut up and act/sing/be grateful is a right-wing talking point, and an especially stupid one. >"
Here's my Ricky Gervais problem: The idea that celebrities are not only pampered babies but hypocrites who cause the problems they make speeches deploring and should therefore shut up and act/sing/be grateful is a right-wing talking point, and an especially stupid one. >
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) January 6, 2020
Harris is part of the showbiz elite by virtue of being married to Oscar-nominated screenwriter and celebrated playwright Tony Kushner, according to Breitbart.
He also called Gervais’s jokes about privileged celebrities “tired.”
“It’s not an act of speaking truth to power or of bravery to attack celebs on that front — it’s a tired way of scolding people into silence because you don’t like what they’re saying,” Harris wrote.
You'll never go broke ending a night scowling at celebrities and saying, "Get drunk, do your drugs, fuck off," which I think were his last words on the show. There will always be people to say, "Yeah! You tell 'em!" But tell 'em what? "Fuck off" isn't a stance. It's a tantrum. >
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) January 6, 2020
The Los Angeles Times also leaped to the defense of offended celebrities, protecting their honor by portraying Gervais as nihilistic and mean-spirited.
At the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, “the mood was already sober thanks to an impeachment, the threat of war with Iran, and devastating bush fires in Australia,” a Times critic wrote.
“The last thing anyone needed was for the smirking master of ceremonies to reprimand them for having hope, or taunt the room for trying to use their influence to change things for the better.”
During Sunday’s telecast, Gervais took aim at Apple, which recently became a major Hollywood player thanks to its new ventures Apple Studios and Apple TV+. Apple CEO Tim Cook was in attendance on Sunday.
“Apple roared into the TV game with The Morning Show, a superb show,” Gervais said.
“A superb drama about the importance of dignity and doing the right thing, made by a company that runs sweatshops in China.”
Addressing the ballroom full of celebrities, Gervais continued: “You say you’re ‘woke,’ but the companies you work for: Apple, Amazon, Disney…
"If ISIS started a streaming service you’d call your agent, wouldn’t you?”
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Gervais also warned celebrities to avoid making political statements on stage because no one wants a lecture from pampered movie stars.
“You know nothing about the real world,” he told the crowd.
"Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg."
“So, if you win, come up, accept your little award tonight, come up, accept it, thank your agent and your God, and f**k off.
"No one cares about your views on politics or culture.”
Gervais told the Golden Globes audience on Sunday that this would be his last stint hosting the annual ceremony after four previous shows.
In a tweet after the ceremony, he said: “Thanks for all your amazing comments about my Golden Globes monologue."
Thanks for all your amazing comments about my Golden Globes monologue. Best reaction ever and that means a lot to me. I had a blast but thank fuck it's over, so I can get back to my real job of editing #AfterLife2 and touring #SuperNature. Make Jokes, Not War đ pic.twitter.com/u1bKrnDWMt
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 6, 2020
"Best reaction ever and that means a lot to me," Gervais added.
"I had a blast but thank f**k it’s over.”
