Ricky Gervais recently opened up about a joke he refrained from delivering during one of his Golden Globe monologues due to concerns it might be perceived as racist. In his new Netflix stand-up special, “Mortality,” which premiered Tuesday, Gervais expressed appreciation for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s lack of censorship over his material during his five hosting stints at the awards show. However, he revealed that he chose not to go through with a particular joke that could have ignited controversy.
“I’ve never had a joke stopped by the Golden Globes, and that is absolutely true,” the 64-year-old comedian recounted. He then reflected on the moment he hesitated, admitting he felt overly cautious about the potential reception of his humor. Gervais aimed to introduce Jason Momoa with a self-referential joke regarding his own perceived hypocrisy and cowardice when addressing actors. He stated, “I’ve got nothing bad to say about our next presenter, because he’s got a cock like a baby’s arm.”
Despite feeling justified, Gervais confided that a friend cautioned him about the comedic potential being interpreted as racially insensitive. Gervais asserted that the intended humor hinged on Momoa’s substantial physique rather than his ethnicity, prompting him to ultimately withhold the joke.
In a broader discussion about the effectiveness of comedy, Gervais addressed the current climate regarding humor, noting that it often feels challenging to joke about certain groups without facing backlash. He commented on the societal evolution surrounding comedy, stating, “You are a product of your time and you do make things for people of your time.” While he mentioned he would not go back to change past material, he recognized that he might approach things differently today.
Gervais has hosted the Golden Globes in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2020, declaring that his last hosting gig would be the latter. For the upcoming award ceremony scheduled for January 11, 2024, comedian Nikki Glaser will take on the hosting duties for a second consecutive year at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Gervais’s candid reflections on comedy and the cautiousness surrounding humor today underline the ongoing conversation about the boundaries of comedic expression while emphasizing his commitment to remaining authentic in his performances.