Comedian and “After Life” creator Ricky Gervais explained last week why award shows like the Golden Globes have become a point of contention with the general public: Most people are completely done with the “lecturing” and “virtue signaling,” especially from wealthy elites.
Gervais, who’s hosted the Globes multiple times, told The Sun his favorite was back in 2020, when the actor’s monologue mocking elites for their hypocrisy went viral.
“The first time I [hosted] it, ten years ago, everyone was like, ‘Ah, how can you talk to these wonderful multi-millionaires, how can you talk to these beautiful people, like that? We love celebrities,'” Gervais said. “By the last one it was like, ‘God, give it to them, we hate celebrities!’”
“I know what it is,” the 60-year-old continued. “With all of the austerity and people struggling, they think, ‘Why are these people lecturing me? They’re going to an awards ceremony in a limo and are telling me to recycle?’”
“People just got sick of it, just got sick of virtue signaling,” the comedian said. “And they were like a beacon to aim their wrath at. … The people with nothing became tired of being lectured by people who had everything.”
As for the future of the award show, Gervais said he would not be surprised if the 2022 Golden Globes were the last to take place ever, qualifying his response by saying nothing can be “predicted.”
“They’re trying to get through this and start again,” he told The Sun. “I don’t think anyone’s even been invited. It’s not even a ceremony.”
“You can’t predict anything in this world. They could come back stronger than ever and be loved again or it could be the last one,” Gervais added. “You never know. I don’t take any-thing for granted any more. I just keep plodding on. And whatever happens, happens.”
The Sun noted that the 2022 Golden Globes would be “streamed online and with no celebrity presenters after a backlash over diversity.”
“Tinseltown has boycotted the bash after an exposé of the organisers’ ethics, financial practices and lack of black members was revealed,” the report said.
Gervais also elaborated on his comedy, particularly his ability to land punches against elites, while arguably being an elite himself.
“I always try and, you know, punch up,” explained the comedian. “You have to make a decision as a comedian. Do you pander to the 200 most privileged people in the world in the room or the 200 million watching at home?”
“In comedy, traditionally, we are jesters,” he said. “We have low status. So I’m down in the mud with the other peasants, having a go. I’ve got to be on their side. That’s why I go out there with a beer and look like a slob, because I’ve got to show people that I’m on their side.”
“And that’s what is hard nowadays, to be a stand-up comedian and keep your lower status, because everyone knows how much you’ve earned,” Gervais continued. “So I do it in two ways. I act like a slob. I go out in bad jeans and a bad T-shirt and drink beer out of a can. I remind them I’m one of them, I shouldn’t be here, I’m lucky.”
“Then I do it another way,” the “After Life” star added. “I talk about things where they’re better off than me. I’m fat, old and bald. I’m going to die before them. I’ve got a bad back. I talk about all those things that are wrong with me.”
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