Ricky Gervais isn't apologizing for making fun of Caitlyn Jenner in his opening monologue during Sunday's 73rd annual Golden Globe Awards - instead the actor and comedian is defending his controversial remakes, after being accused of being a "transphobic."
"I'm going to be nice tonight. I've changed - not as much as Bruce Jenner. Obviously. Now Caitlyn Jenner, of course," Gervais, who was hosting the show for the fourth time, said in his joke. "What a year she's had! She became a role model for trans people everywhere, showing great bravery in breaking down barriers and destroying stereotypes."
The sharp-tongued host went on to praise Jenner before poking fun at the reality star's driving skills in reference to her involvement in a fatal car crash in Malibu, Calif., in February 2015.
"She didn't do a lot for women drivers, but you can't have everything, can ya?" Gervais said,
Gervais' comments at the show immediately sparked outrage from views that felt like the host was mocking Jenner's transition and labeled the comedian's joke a "transphobic." After realizing that he had sparked some outrage, Gervais tweeted, "Suggesting a joke about Caitlin Jenner is automatically transphobic is like suggesting a joke about Bill Cosby is automatically racist."
"But it WAS Bruce Jenner who changed. Into Caitlyn Jenner. And I respect that. Just not her driving," he said in response to a follower. He then tweeted: "I made a joke about Caitlyn Jenner killing someone in her car. I'm #TransportPhobic."
18.5 Million Americans watched my monologue at The Globes last night so I'm disappointed NBC haven't got more complaints. I'm slipping.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 11, 2016
In a series tweets Gervais continued to fight back against his critics, writing, "In the future, everyone will be offended by me for 15 minutes. You have every right to be offended. Just don't cry when no one cares."
"Hosting The Globes has made me want to do a new stand-up show next year. Now THAT'S when you're allowed to be offended. You whiney c*nts :)," he wrote. Adding, "Do people not realise that when they say they are offended by a joke it makes that joke even funnier for the rest of us."
"If jokes caused the easily offended to bleed internally, I'd do more stand up," Gervais continued along with posting a photo of himself at the award show.
Jenner, who came out as transgender last year, has not commented on Gervais' remarks. Gervais' monologue also took jabs at Mel Gibson and the gender pay gap in Hollywood.
