Ricky Gervais says he’s ‘not transphobic’ amid criticism of past Caitlyn Jenner joke

Ricky Gervais reveals he regrets Tim Allen joke but stands by Caitlyn Jenner jibe despite ‘transphobic’ accusations… as he gears up to host Golden Globes again

  • Ricky Gervais is preparing to host the Golden Globes for a fifth time on Sunday
  • The 58-year-old comedian admitted he regrets having previously poked fun at Tim Allen, in his cover story for The Hollywood Reporter 
  • But he defended himself against criticism he is ‘transphobic’
  • The allegations stem from a joke he made at Caitlyn Jenner’s expense at the 2016 installment of the awards show 
  • When asked who he’d ridicule this year, Gervais said ‘I don’t think this time [any] individuals are [in the firing line]’ 

Ricky Gervais has revealed he regrets insulting Tim Allen with joke he made during the Golden Globes, but stands by a controversial quip about transgender celebrity Caitlyn Jenner. 

The 58-year-old British comedian sat down for a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter as he gears up to host the ceremony for the fifth time on Sunday. 

He discussed the difficulty balance comedy with political correctness and Hollywood egos.  

When asked if he had any particular targets for this year’s jokes, the comic insisted he wouldn’t be zeroing in on any one star.  

Controversy: Ricky Gervais, 58, is answering critics who have accused the comedian of being ‘transphobic,’ in his cover story for The Hollywood Reporter this month

‘I don’t think this time [any] individuals are [in the firing line],’ he said.

‘I think I’ll go after the general community.’

And when asked if there was anyone he regretted targeting for ridicule in the past, he admitted, ‘Yeah, Tim Allen.’

Gervais took a swipe at Allen when the Home Improvement star presented with Tom Hanks in 2011.   

He explained: ‘I think he took it wrong…I’m teasing Tim Allen. But anyone standing next to Tom Hanks, unless it’s Dustin Hoffman or Robert Redford or Robert De Niro, that could be me. 

‘But it happened to be Tim Allen. And I have nothing against Tim Allen. He’s a good actor. He’s probably a nice bloke. So even though there’s no malice and I can justify it comedically and everyone laughed, I didn’t want Tim Allen to think, ‘Oh, that was written for me. Why me? Well, because you were standing next to Tom Hanks.”

Gervais also infamously poked fun at Caitlyn Jenner during his fourth time hosting the Golden Globes, in 2016. 

Lightning rod: He famously poked fun at Caitlyn Jenner during his fourth time hosting the Golden Globes, in 2016. Gervais seen here in 2011

Jenner pictured here in December 2019

Lightning rod: He famously poked fun at Caitlyn Jenner during his fourth time hosting the Golden Globes, in 2016. Gervais in 2011 [L] and Jenner in 2019

When asked how he responds to accusations he is transphobic, he told the publication: ‘I just say I’m not [transphobic].’

The infamous 2016 gag involved Gervais quipping that while Jenner had ‘shown great bravery’ in openly transitioning into a woman, ‘she didn’t do a lot for women drivers’.

In February 2015, Jenner was involved in a fatal multiple-vehicle collision, in which one woman, Kim Howe, was killed.

Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges in the case. 

However, the star of The Office claimed his joke was ‘misunderstood’.

‘I was very careful that the joke was about her being a bad driver. The joke was about stereotypes. I started off being correctly inclusive saying she’s brave, breaking down barriers. And then I [said] she didn’t do a lot for women drivers.’ 

The Golden Globes are airing on NBC on Sunday night 8/ET 5/PT. 

Next? When asked if he had any particular targets for this year's jokes, the comic replied, 'I don't think this time [any] individuals are [in the firing line]

Next? When asked if he had any particular targets for this year’s jokes, the comic replied, ‘I don’t think this time [any] individuals are [in the firing line]

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk