{"success":true,"data":{"id":"300dca8e-c72f-4311-84d6-15311429d617","title":"Ricky Gervais rejects calls to tone down comedy: ‘I don’t care if people are offended’","summary":"Ricky Gervais rejects calls to tone down comedy: ‘I don’t care if people are offended’ Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News 5 5 Comments Ricky Gervais isn’t backing away from controversial comedy.","content":"# Ricky Gervais rejects calls to tone down comedy: ‘I don’t care if people are offended’\n\nStephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News\n\n5 5 Comments\n\nRicky Gervais isn’t backing away from controversial comedy.\n\nThe comedian doubled down on his long-held defense of free speech during a recent radio interview, saying he has no interest in changing his material to avoid offending audiences and arguing that backlash only adds to the joke.\n\n“I don’t tell people not to be offended; I tell them I don’t care if they are. Be offended if you want, it makes it funnier for me,” Gervais said during an appearance on[BBC Radio 2.](https://www.tiktok.com/@bbcradio2/video/7663879115438591254)\n\nThe 65-year-old comic, whose stand-up specials have frequently sparked criticism over jokes about politics, [gender identity](https://nypost.com/2022/05/24/ricky-gervais-under-fire-for-trans-jokes-in-netflix-special/), religion and [celebrities](https://pagesix.com/2020/01/02/ricky-gervais-only-regrets-one-joke-from-his-golden-globes-hosting-gigs/), rejected the idea that he intentionally sets out to provoke audiences.\n\n“You can’t help by what you’re offended by, but … don’t expect me to care … It’s a myth that I go out to offend. I never go out to offend,” he said. “I just know that it’s probably going to happen because everyone’s different.”\n\nGervais argued that virtually any opinion can offend someone.\n\n“There’s nothing you can say, particularly anything that’s mildly interesting or contentious or your viewpoint, that someone somewhere won’t find offensive,” he said.\n\nRicky Gervais doubled down on his free speech defense, saying he doesn’t care if audiences are offended by his jokes. Getty Images for SiriusXM\n\nReflecting on how reactions to comedy have evolved, Gervais said audiences today are quicker to take offense than they were two decades ago.\n\n“And times have changed. Twenty years ago, if someone said I was offended by that, I probably would go, ‘Why?’ Now I go … ‘I know you are. Everyone is.'”\n\nWhile Gervais has [frequently addressed cancel culture and free speech](https://nypost.com/2022/05/25/ricky-gervais-defends-taboo-humor-amid-anti-trans-backlash/) in recent stand-up tours, he suggested he is ready to move on from the topic.\n\nGervais argued backlash only makes his comedy funnier, while insisting he never sets out to provoke audiences. Getty Images\n\n“I’ve dealt with it too much, actually. I think the last couple of tours, I have dealt with cancel culture and free speech because I felt I had to. Now, I don’t have to,” he said.\n\n“I’m ignoring it all. I shouldn’t even bring it into the room. Those people there who’ve paid hundreds of pounds — they’re not offended. I can play to a million people, not one complaint.”\n\nGervais insisted the outrage over his comedy doesn’t come from the crowds filling his shows. It comes after his specials reach a much bigger audience online.\n\nThe comic noted outrage often comes from his specials reaching 50 million people on Netflix, not from his live crowds. Getty Images\n\n“As soon as it goes on Netflix, 50 million people. Of course, there’s going to be someone who doesn’t like it. What am I going to do? It’s too late. I’ve been paid.”\n\n### Become a Page Six Hollywood Insider for FREE for the best stories, commentary and analysis in the business of entertainment.\n\nDaily newsletters, weekly podcasts and exclusive events will bring you all you need to know to stay in the know.\n\nGET FREE NEWSLETTER\n\nBy clicking \"BECOME AN INSIDER\" you agree to the [Terms of Use](https://pagesix.com/terms)&[Privacy Notice](https://pagesix.com/privacy)\n\nBECOME AN INSIDER\n\nThe comic has [long dismissed calls to tone down his material](https://nypost.com/2022/05/18/ricky-gervais-claims-that-smart-people-understand-offensive-jokes/), repeatedly defending free speech and arguing that comedians shouldn’t shy away from controversial subjects.\n\nEarlier this year, Gervais reignited debate by reposting one of the most memorable lines from his 2020 Golden Globes opening monologue, taking another swipe at celebrities who use awards shows as political platforms.\n\n“If you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech,” Gervais told the star-studded crowd.\n\n“You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.”\n\nReposting the quote on X, Gervais added a jab of his own: “They’re still not listening.”\n\nFiled under\n\nSponsored\n\nSPONSORED STORIES\n\nAround The Web \n\n## Conversation\n\nYour voice matters. Discussions are moderated for civility. Read our guidelines here\n\n**0**\n\n# Community Guidelines\n\n## Welcome to the Page Six Community!\n\nOur community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. 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