Why Ricky Gervais Regrets The Joke He Made About Tim Allen
Ricky Gervais isn't big on apologies and regrets. In fact, he finds it hilarious if someone is "needlessly offended" by one of his jokes. Given the ever-expanding list of Gervais' most controversial moments, it's no surprise that he subscribes to the non-PC school of humor. "The new puritans aren't 60-year-old women in twinsets and pearls, the Christian right trying to make us turn off our televisions because they don't like it," Gervais told The Spectator.
"It's a younger crowd with trendy haircuts, who you'd think would have left-leaning liberal sensibilities, who have invented this new term 'hate speech,'" he claimed, vowing to remain forever unapologetic — even when facing the cancel culture firing squad. "You mustn't [apologize] because that's the end," Gervais explained. "The end of satire and the erosion of freedom of speech based on people's feelings will have a catastrophic effect."
The comedian didn't consider anybody's feelings when he appeared on stage in 2020. The result of Gervais hosting the Golden Globes was even more shocking than expected. The scathing opening monologue alone had celebs squirming in their seats in addition to turning Tom Hanks into the meme of the night. Gervais clearly couldn't care less and delivered zinger after stinging zinger. However, that's not to say he doesn't suffer the occasional twinge of remorse. For instance, Ricky Gervais still regrets a joke he made about Tim Allen while hosting the Golden Globes for the first time in 2011.
Ricky Gervais' regrets are unfounded as far as Tim Allen is concerned
Regrets? Ricky Gervais has a few. But then again, too few to mention — aside from the joke he made about Tim Allen. Gervais admitted to being concerned that he may have upset Allen because the actor didn't understand he was just "teasing" him. It all occurred when Gervais introduced Allen and Tom Hanks to the stage. "So I came out and said, 'Our next two presenters, the first has won five Oscars, combined box office of five billion dollars. And the other, Tim Allen,'" Gervais told The Hollywood Reporter.
"Right? It's a fine joke," he insisted, explaining Allen had just been the fall guy, as 99% of people couldn't match up to Hank's career achievements. "I have nothing against Tim Allen. He's a good actor. He's probably a nice bloke." Gervais said, vowing there'd been no intended malice but that he hated to think Allen was worried about being ridiculed.
Well, Allen hasn't given the issue any thought over the years. He said he wasn't offended; he just thought it was a pretty unfunny joke. "Perhaps I didn't get it ... I wasn't the only one," Allen told Page Six. "Tom and I even said [at the time]: 'I didn't really get it. It's like he didn't finish the joke. It just went flat.' Later that night, [Gervais] said, 'It didn't go so well.' He kind of apologized." Wow, a regret and something of an apology? Allen should be flattered.
Ricky Gervais is all about kindness and compassion these days
Hollywood can sigh a huge collective sigh of relief as Ricky Gervais won't return to give another Golden Globes grilling. After hosting the show five times, he's decided to hang up his tux for good, much to the dismay of fans. Following a rallying call for him to reclaim the hot seat, Gervais shot down any Golden Globes hosting speculation. "F**k that," he tweeted alongside a crying with laughter emoji.
During his 2020 opening monologue, the comedian had already clarified his feelings about a possible return. "You'll be pleased to know this is the last time I'm hosting these awards. So I don't care anymore," Gervais announced. "I'm joking! I never did."
In an interview with the Guardian, he spoke about his reasons for going so hard in his speech. "Do I pander to the 200 billionaires in the room or the 200 million people at home sitting in their pants drinking beer who aren't winning awards, who aren't billionaires?" he said adding that "it's a no-brainer for a comedian." Gervais claimed he'd actually gone easy on the audience. "Think of the f***ing terrible things I could have joked about. It's off the charts — It's. Off. The. Charts — the terrible things I could say." However, he's all about the warm and fuzzy things in life these days. "Kindness, compassion has definitely been in my work of the last 10 years," he insisted.