Ricky Gervais has hit back at critics of his controversial Golden Globes monologue with a scathing tweet.
Taking to Twitter, the outspoken actor, 58, insisted that just because viewers were offended by his eight-minute speech ‘doesn’t mean they’re right’ and also claimed they weren’t ‘winning the argument’ by pointing out ‘someone is left or right wing.’
It came after Ricky also vowed that he would never host the Golden Globes again following his expletive-laden monologue at Sunday’s awards, which saw him skewer the ‘woke’ Hollywood culture.
Not a chance! Ricky Gervais has hit back at critics of his controversial Golden Globes monologue with a scathing tweet (pictured arriving in the UK on Tuesday)
Drama: The outspoken actor posted that just because viewers were offended by his eight-minute speech ‘doesn’t mean they’re right’
In his tweet Ricky listed four points which appeared to respond to various criticisms from fans surrounding his monologue.
He wrote: ‘1. Simply pointing out whether someone is left or right wing isn’t winning the argument. 2. If a joke is good enough, it can be enjoyed by anyone.
‘3. It’s not all about you. 4. Just because you’re offended, doesn’t mean you’re right.’
Nope! It came after Ricky took to social media on Monday to respond to an article which featured fans demanding he return as the host next year
Explosive: The After Life star divided viewers with his expletive-laden monologue at Sunday’s awards, which saw him skewer the ‘woke’ Hollywood culture
It came after Ricky took to social media on Monday to respond to an article which featured fans demanding he return as the host next year.
Keeping his response to the point he simply wrote: ‘Never gonna happen.’
It came after Ricky finally arrived back in the UK on Tuesday following his trip to LA to host the Golden Globes.
Swell: Ricky had shared a few words of thanks on Monday following his hosting duties at the annual awards show over the weekend
Here he is! Following his defiant post, Ricky was spotted out and about in London on Wednesday
Low-key: The star cut a casual figure in a relaxed grey jacket as he headed into a property in London
Defiant: Ricky has laughed off fans’ criticisms of his monologue and said he ‘had a blast’ hosting the show
What’s he up to? The Office star cut a low-key figure as he stepped out in the capital after returning from Los Angeles
Hours earlier he had also taken to social media to thank fans for their reaction to his hosting gig, but implied he was glad the night was over despite saying he ‘had a blast’ on the night.
He wrote: ‘Thanks for all your amazing comments about my Golden Globes monologue. Best reaction ever and that means a lot to me.’
‘I had a blast but thank f*** it’s over, so I can get back to my real job of editing #AfterLife2 and touring #SuperNature. Make Jokes, Not War.’
On Sunday Ricky sparked gasps from the A-List guests in attendance for the Golden Globes as he slammed the ‘woke’ Hollywood culture in his opening monologue.
Back to work: Following his controversial awards appearance, it seemed that Ricky was back to his usual business
Daring: During his eight minute speech, Ricky roasted Hollywood’s ‘woke’ culture before rallying against the new brand of corporate giants dominating Tinsel Town
During the eight minute speech – alongside pointing out it was his fifth and final time hosting the awards – Gervais railed against the new brand of corporate giants dominating Tinsel Town.
‘Apple roared into the TV game with The Morning Show,’ he said, ‘a superb drama about the importance of dignity and doing the right thing…. made by a company that runs sweat shops in China.’
Ironically, Apple boss Tim Cook looked like a sweat shop himself as all eyes – and video cameras – turned to him in the audience.
Ricky also advised those receiving awards to avoid making political speeches because ‘you’re in no position to the public about anything.’
He added: ‘If you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your God and f*** off.’
In one moment which shocked the stars in the crowd, Gervais made a pointed remark about the death of paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
He said: ‘[Netflix series Afterlife] is a show about a man who wants to kill himself …. Spoiler alert, season two is on the way so he didn’t kill himself…just like Jeffrey Epstein.’
As the audience gasped, he doubled down on the remarks, saying: ‘Shut up. I know he’s your friend, but I don’t care.’
Gervais, also took a swipe at the #MeToo era, as he hosted the awards for the first time since the movement came to prominence.
He said there was a wide variety of stars in the room, and they all have one thing in common: ‘They’re all afraid of Ronan Farrow,’ Gervais said.
New Yorker writer Farrow played a key role in outing sexual misconduct in Hollywood and exposing disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein.
Later in the show, Gervais introduced a clip for the film Birdbox, describing it as ‘a movie where people survive by acting like they don’t see a thing. Sort of like working for Harvey Weinstein.’
Gervais also mocked what he described as ‘paedophile movies.’
‘Taking of all you perverts, it was a big year for paedophile movies. Surviving R Kelly, Leaving Neverland, Two Popes,’ he said before breaking down at his own joke.
‘Shut up,’ he told the stunned crowd, ‘I don’t care.’
Savage: Ricky also advised those receiving awards to avoid making political speeches because ‘you’re in no position to the public about anything’
His behaviour earned a divided response from viewers, with many quick to flood social media with hilarious memes poking fun at the stars’ reactions.
‘This mans got more of a range and damage yield to him than a f**king intercontinental ballistic missile,’ wrote one Twitter user, approvingly.
Another added: ‘Man of the people,’ one Twitter user wrote. ‘Thank you for saying what needed to be said.’
‘Thank you @rickygervais!!!!! Suck it Hollywood,’ another tweeter wrote.
‘I don’t watch award shows and not into the celebrity scene,’ one tweeter admitted, ‘but boy did #RickyGervais skewer everyone. Wow.’ He then added a meme reading ‘shots fired.’
Twitter users were quick to express approval and surprise at the way Ricky Gervais roasted Hollywood during his opening monologue on Sunday’s Golden Globes
Ricky’s Hollywood roasting was not universally beloved on social media, with many outraged viewers taking to Twitter to express their anger.
‘Can’t believe Ricky Gervais has managed to convince the general public that he isn’t part of the elite he’s criticising,’ one tweeter wrote. ‘A guy who makes racist, homophobic jokes and mocks the disabled and the poor is suddenly a working class hero?’
‘The #GoldenGlobes mood was already sober thanks to an impeachment, threat of war with Iran and Australian bush fires. The last thing anyone needed was Ricky Gervais there, telling them they sucked,’ Los Angeles Times TV critic Lorraine Ali wrote.
‘Ricky Gervais telling people not to make political statements at the #GoldenGlobes is in itself a political statement,’ one Twitter user pointed out. ‘Passive acceptance of the status quo is political, silence in the face of oppression is a political statement.’
Outrageous: Ricky’s Hollywood roasting was not universally beloved on social media, with many outraged viewers taking to Twitter to express their anger
It was the fifth time Gervais has emceed the gala, after previously fronting the show from 2010 to 2012 and once again in 2016.
When discussing the difficult balancing act of hosting an awards show, he admitted that no one was safe from his witty words.
‘I don’t think this time [any] individuals are [in the firing line],’ he told The Hollywood Reporter last week.
No holds barred: It was the fifth time Gervais has emceed the gala, after previously fronting the show from 2010 to 2012 and once again in 2016