Ricky Gervais Declares Comedy Victory in New Special ‘Mortality’

London, England — Comedian Ricky Gervais premiered his latest stand-up special, “Mortality,” on Tuesday, addressing the changing landscape of comedy over the past decade. Filmed at the London Palladium, Gervais used this platform to express his thoughts on what he describes as a “really weird” time for humor.

In his routine, Gervais noted that many comedians have felt pressure to second-guess their jokes due to a rise in sensitivity around comedy. He declared, “It’s great to hear this sort of laughter again,” emphasizing the importance of comedy to everyday people.

Gervais pointed to a culture of criticism where elitists question what is deemed offensive. He remarked, “People find anything offensive, but we pushed back and we won. So f*** them. Until the next time.” He also highlighted a disconnect between classes, criticizing privileged individuals for dictating to ordinary working-class people what they can laugh at.

This latest special comes after Gervais has faced several controversies, including backlash for comments made in previous performances. He mentioned a petition to have content removed from his 2023 special, “Armageddon,” and said he had experienced numerous attempts to cancel him over 15 years, including criticism from fellow comedians.

Gervais argued that such pushback reflects a broader societal discussion on status and virtue signaling in the age of social media. He explained, “With the advent of social media, people suddenly discovered they could just say they were virtuous.” This led to a culture where people raised their status by “bringing other people down.”n

Addressing his own biases, Gervais humorously acknowledged, “I consider myself to be anti-racist,” but also admitted that he might have been a slave owner in a different era. He joked, “Yeah, I’d be the best slave owner,” in a bid to illustrate the complexities of morality over time.

Gervais also reflected on his time hosting the Golden Globes, stating that while the Hollywood Foreign Press Association never censored his material, he chose to omit one potentially controversial joke about an unnamed presenter. He explained the rationale behind his decision, revealing his internal conflict over fear of being seen as racist.

As he looks to the future, Gervais remains unapologetic in his comedic approach. He concluded, “I’m too old now not to say what I want. I want to do my favorite thing all the time,” as he reaffirms his commitment to his style of comedy.