Ricky Gervais on Offended Audiences: 'Be Offended If You Want, It Makes It Funnier For Me'

“I don’t tell people not to be offended; I tell them I don’t care if they are. Be offended if you want, it makes it funnier for me,” Ricky Gervais said during an appearance on BBC Radio 2, as reported by Page Six.

The 65-year-old comedian doubled down on his long-held defense of free speech, insisting the idea that he aims to provoke is a myth. "You can’t help by what you’re offended by, but … don’t expect me to care … It’s a myth that I go out to offend. I never go out to offend," He acknowledged, however, that offending some viewers is almost inevitable. “I just know that it’s probably going to happen because everyone’s different,” he said.

Gervais argued that in today's climate, virtually any opinion can spark outrage. “There’s nothing you can say, particularly anything that’s mildly interesting or contentious or your viewpoint, that someone somewhere won’t find offensive,” he noted. He reflected on how audience reactions have shifted, saying "And times have changed. Twenty years ago, if someone said I was offended by that, I probably would go, ‘Why?’ Now I go … ‘I know you are. Everyone is.'"

Moving On From 'Cancel Culture'

While his recent stand-up tours have frequently tackled topics like cancel culture, Gervais suggested he's ready to leave that discourse behind. According to Page Six, he said, “I’ve dealt with it too much, actually. I think the last couple of tours, I have dealt with cancel culture and free speech because I felt I had to. Now, I don’t have to.”

He claimed the real outrage doesn't come from his live audiences. According to the report, Gervais stated, “I’m ignoring it all. I shouldn’t even bring it into the room. Those people there who’ve paid hundreds of pounds — they’re not offended. I can play to a million people, not one complaint.” The comic pointed out that backlash typically erupts when his specials reach a massive online audience, like the 50 million viewers on Netflix.

His message was clear: he has no plans to tone down the material that has frequently drawn criticism over jokes about politics, gender identity, religion, and celebrities. For Gervais, the potential for offense is just part of the package.

Sources

• Ricky Gervais rejects calls to tone down comedy: 'I don't care if people are offended' — Page Six