Wanda Sykes Criticizes Ricky Gervais’s Anti-Trans Jokes at Golden Globes

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Wanda Sykes Criticizes Ricky Gervais’s Anti-Trans Jokes at Golden Globes

Wanda Sykes addressed the controversy surrounding Ricky Gervais during the recent Golden Globes ceremony. While accepting an award on behalf of Gervais, Sykes humorously thanked “God and the trans community.” This remark was a direct reference to the backlash Gervais faced over his anti-trans jokes in his 2022 Netflix special, “SuperNature.”

Criticism of Gervais’s Comments

Ricky Gervais received significant criticism for his comments mocking the transgender community. Despite this uproar, he has not publicly responded to the backlash. However, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos defended Gervais, asserting the importance of free expression in comedy. He emphasized that comedians often test boundaries and develop their craft through experimentation.

Golden Globes Highlights

At the Golden Globes, Gervais won the award for best comedy special with his latest project, “Morality.” This win marked a milestone as he took home the inaugural award in the new category. He was nominated alongside other comedians such as:

Bill Maher – “Is Anyone Else Seeing This”
Sarah Silverman – “Postmortem”
Kumail Nanjiani – “Night Thoughts”
Kevin Hart – “Acting My Age”
Brett Goldstein – “The Second Best Night of Your Life”

Wanda Sykes’s Roasting of Nominees

Sykes did not hold back in her roast of the nominees before announcing the winner. She made playful jabs at each comedian, showcasing her comedic style. Her comments included:

On Bill Maher: “You give us so much but I would love a little less.”
On Brett Goldstein: “You are charming and would’ve made a great Menendez brother.”
On Kevin Hart: “You’re a true American, Kevin.”
On Kumail Nanjiani: “Proving that male comedians can be funny without being chubby.”
On Sarah Silverman: “We haven’t talked in five years, but we are so close.”

Gervais’s Legacy at the Golden Globes

Ricky Gervais has been a notable figure at the Golden Globes, nominated ten times for various TV projects, including “The Office” and “Extras.” He has also hosted the event five times, known for his provocative comedic style. In a May interview with Variety, Gervais mentioned he enjoys making audiences feel slightly uneasy, indicating his approach to humor often pushes boundaries.

Overall, the Golden Globes ceremony highlighted both the celebration of Gervais’s work and the ongoing debates about the impact of comedy on social issues. The reactions from Sykes and others underscore the complexities surrounding humor, freedom of expression, and the responsibilities of comedians in today’s cultural climate.