Ricky Gervais defends jokes he made about Caitlyn Jenner at Golden Globes

As Ricky Gervais presented the awards, he made several jokes about Caitlyn Jenner which led to online complaints. However, Gervais has now fought back to say he did not mock the former Olympian for being trans.

In his opening, Gervais had joked: “I’ve changed. Well, not as much as Bruce Jenner, obviously – now Caitlyn Jenner.” He then went on to mock Jenner’s driving ability after she was involved in a fatal car crash.
“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. She didn’t do a lot for women drivers, but you can’t do everything.”

The comedian – who also mocked Roman Polanski over child sex abuse allegations – has now defended his joke.

He said: “I made a joke about Caitlyn Jenner killing someone in her car. I’m #TransportPhobic.

“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.”

As part of his opening, he also discussed the hit show Transparent particularly referencing the lead actor Jeffrey Tambor.

“What an actor, what a role. Every day, he has to put on all that women’s clothes and the hair and makeup and let people film it. That takes balls. So, I don’t know how he does it. I really don’t. I’ve seen his balls. They are huge and long.”