Ricky Gervais is yet the latest example of a comedian who has deemed it necessary to defend comedy. His latest special hit Netflix just over a week ago and the backlash was swift. Ricky Gervais: SuperNature will only be loved or hated. It’s clear as day to see that there’s unlikely to be any ‘in between’ or middle ground. The detractors have already come out in full force since the debut, but the question is: is it really that hard to watch? To a rational person, no it isn’t. One need only ignore their bias, use their ears and listen.
It’s best to get the obvious out of the way first. Yes, there are a lot of jokes about the transgender community. This is likely in response to the fact that Dave Chappelle has been taking the most heat for even mentioning the LGBQT community in his last few stand-up acts. The blowback has become so fierce that Gervais saw fit to be next in line for the firing squad. It’s safe to say after viewing SuperNature, Ricky Gervais simply just doesn’t care. He doesn’t care who he offends, who gets upset, or what they have to say in response. To be fair, he never really has. Gervais however, has undoubtedly taken his attitude of carelessness and turned up the heat.
Ricky Gervais’s new special is sort of what the wrath of a comedian can look like. Comedians are tired of being lectured about they can or can’t say, criticized for their creative choices
By the way, the fact that he doesn’t care is alright. Honestly, it’s actually perfect. Because this is how it should be. If people laugh, then mission accomplished, and oh, do they laugh at this set. Rarely a moment goes by where the live audience is not roaring with laughter. Gervais as usual makes fun of everything. He makes fun of religious people, pokes fun at the absurdity of the transgender debate, he takes aim at cancel culture advocates, and fires off shots at anyone who decides they’d like to be the next naysayers. Gervais has never been one to hold back, but he’s never been more relentless than he is in SuperNature. Just when it seems he can’t go there, he crosses yet another line. He’s filthy, unmerciful, pitiless, and without any remorse, but most of all, he’s undeniably funny. He will make viewers feel terrible for laughing at much of what he says and yet, most will laugh even if they won’t admit it publicly. If people thought Dave Chappelle was harsh, those same people might want to re-evaluate their position until after they see SuperNature.
Ricky Gervais’s new special is sort of what the wrath of a comedian can look like. Comedians are tired of being lectured about they can or can’t say, criticized for their creative choices, and now physically threatened for their material. What SuperNature proves though, is that the man with the microphone will always win. Stand-up comedians cannot be beaten and any attempts to antagonize them or change them will only lead to them doubling down. Gervais’s SuperNature sparks the turning tide of the culture war, and those who are opposing are sure to end up losing.
