RIcky Gervais Defends His Fat Jokes

Comedian Ricky Gervais has caught flack over comments he made about overweight people in an audio, and has taken to his blog to defend himself.

In a new audiobook, The Ricky Gervais Guide To Medicine, the 47-year-old calls (via The Telegraph) people who get stomach surgery to lose weight "lazy fucking fat pigs" who should go for a run instead:

"I really don't know why a doctor under a hippocratic oath takes the risk of something going badly wrong, sometimes with general anaesthetic, because someone can't be bothered to go for a fucking run.

"They have bits sliced off and tied up and sucked out. I want to say to them, 'You lazy f---ing fat pig. Just go for a run and stop eating burgers. You might fucking die'.

"Some things are not worth the risk. When someone's facial surgery goes wrong because they wanted plumper lips or a little nose, I think they're a fucking idiot.

"If your arse is too fucking fat, stop eating and go for a run."

Gervais as now blogged about his comments, citing how The Telegraph claimed he is in an "attack" on fat people:

I heard someone on the radio once say that they were tired of the prejudice aimed at the overweight. They said something like "you're not allowed to make fun of gay people, so why are you allowed to make fun of fat people? It's the same thing."

It's not the same thing though, is it? Gay people are born that way. They didn't work at becoming gay. Fat people became fat because they would rather be that way than stop eating so much. They had to eat and eat to get fat. Then, when they were fat they had to keep up the eating to stay fat. For gayness to be the same as fatness, gay people would have to start off straight but then ween themselves onto cock. Soon they're noshing all day getting gayer and gayer. They've had more than enough cock... they're full... they're just sucking for the sake of it. Now they're overgay, and frowned upon by people who can have the occasional cock but not over indulge.

When a doctor tells me that that's how you become gay, I'll stop making jokes about fat people.

Gervias has joked about his own weight in the past. Here are some self-deprecation on Letterman from July.

Here is preview clip, via YouTube, of the audiobook:

Comments

[btesh]

some people kill me! Yes it's humor, yet it's not funny when someone has a laugh at black folks, or
dwarfs, any number of others. Fat people and southerns are not the flavor of the month.

[Fudgefase]

But republicans are fair game.

[micro]

Yes, Ricky is opinionated, which comedian isn't? I may not agree with him on every subject, but I find him refreshingly funny. I remember seeing Jay Leno at the Comedy Club when he was cutting his comedic teeth. No difference, really. A Perspective Vacation may be the ticket.

[bugsbonzai]

There is a "butt" to every joke. It is always made at the expense of someone or something, a group, a thing, an organization, a person. It comes down to this: if you think the "butt" deserves it, then it's funny. If you don't think the person or group deserves it, then you are "outraged". So all you hyper-sensitive schmucks- get over it.

Only a tiny percentage of the fat population can't control it. To use that as an excuse to let all the other slovenly, slothful people off the hook is just inane. It would be like saying because there is a tiny percentage of people who are mentally handicapped, that "stupid people" jokes are off-limits. That's beyond dumb.

[thecarf]

Speaking as someone who used to be obese (I've lost 100 lbs.), I think that Ricky Gervais is not only right on but, funny as hell. And he mocks his own pudginess constantly. There is no conflict here. Yes, there are some people who have real issues (glandular or emotional/psychological) but, I know so many people who have had a stomach staple and eaten right through it. Most of the time it comes down to sloth.

It takes work. And it is not the same as being born gay. I imagine very few people are actually come out of the womb obese.

Stop this insanity. If you don't like it, do something about it.

I just ran my first road race this summer. Unless you're in the exception, shut your yap and exercise and commit.

[miamia]

He's right.

I read sentiment as a contempt for gluttony not for fat people.

[NewDayDawn]

Please ... Ricky is the the most brilliant man the world of comedy has ever seen. I just read this post and his comparison of gay vs fat with tears rolling down my face from laughing. Everyone is fair game in comedy.

[GolfingDevil05]

I happily admit that my weight is a problem of my own making. Ricky Gervais is right that the reason so many people are overweight is that we refuse to make good choices. I know what the answer is to this problem, just as everyone else with a weight problem does: start eating salads instead of cheeseburgers.

It's ironic to say this, but we fatties have to grow a thicker skin when it comes to comedy. You want to not be made fun of for your weight? Lose the weight. I've lost 60 lbs in the last year, and I intend to lose more this year. I was tired of being treated like a victim of something for which I was not responsible, because that's a lie. Sometimes the verbal slap in the face from a comedian is what shakes people out of their victimhood, and that's why I applaud Ricky Gervais with my fat hands and fingers.

[FabulousAt52]

Fat haters need to set aside their spoon-fed propaganda, and investigate and educate themselves...

http://www.bigfatfacts.com/

http://www.naafaonline.com/dev2/

http://www.obesitymyths.com/myth7.1.htm

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-op-dustup20sep20,0,5487871.story?coll=la-opinion-center

[seatech1]

Any time someone feels that it is their right to judge others, they are wrong. It's not about why people are overweight. It's the fact that someone feels superior to others by reducing the others with petty scorn. That is what makes Gervais an petulant snob. He's nothing but an entertainer, and that does not give him moral authority over anyone.
By the way, if you've noticed, he also has a weight problem. Glass houses, eh?

[FabulousAt52]

Exactly! The bottom line is: Judging someone's character, personality or intelligence based SOLELY on how they LOOK... is called "prejudice" and "bigotry". Remember those terms?

Dressing them in one's twisted sense of "humor" is akin to sending out "Magic Neg.ro" songs with the excuse that " Oh, it's all in fun..." The core message in both instances is the same-
disrespect and bigotry.

[miamia]

Not a good analogy, he's a fat man talking about his own experiences.

[Vr6]

Especially if your a gluttonous blob of undigested protein, fat, carbohydrates and a smattering of minerals in a suspension of water - with a taste for being oversensitive and insecure - get real, go for a run and you'll eventually get over it.

[InternationalObserver]

(@ both of you)

Puh-lease! As many have already pointed out: Gervais knows he is overweight himself and has mocked himself, so the glass house comment doesn't apply. His original comments were 'straight' ie not funny, just fact:

"I really don't know why a doctor under a hippocratic oath takes the risk of something going badly wrong, sometimes with general anaesthetic, because someone can't be bothered to go for a run. ... Some things are not worth the risk. When someone's facial surgery goes wrong because they wanted plumper lips or a little nose, I think they're an idiot."

How can you argue with that?

And I think Gervais' blog post response to any 'controversy' those comments created is f'ing hilarious!

Disclaimer: I too am overweight. Pudgy, even. But I know it's because I love food and hate exercising.

[JeepRover]

'By the way, if you've noticed, he also has a weight problem. Glass houses, eh?"

I could be wrong, but I think that's the point. He himself is fat, so he's also making fun of himself-which is more than allowable. What he is condeming is the people that don't alter their behaviors and instead opt for surgery to correct what they have not taken care of.

[Horus]

I agree. No one should ever criticize or make a joke about anyone else. In fact any statement or comment that passes any level of judgement on anyone else should be entirely banned and punishable. People should learn to keep their mouths shut, like the old War Propaganda posters used to say, about keeping quiet. Anyway we need to send people who break that rule to sensitivity training. It could even be a multi-day thing, like in a camp setting.

[sedum]

We should start calling it "lard". Perhaps that'll send a message, although I doubt it.

[sedum]

The truth hurts and for some unknown reason, humor seems to make it worse.

Now put down that double mile high burger and see if you can find your toes.

[owltattoo]

His comment angers so many people because it's true. I hear more mean-spirited comments from fat people aimed at thin people than the other way around. If I only had a dollar for every time I've had fat friends look at the picture of a slender woman and say, "I just hate her..."

Why?

I lost 85 pounds. It took me over a year and a lot of dedication and effort. But it was worth it. There is no magic bullet for weight loss. If you're fat you're going to have to make some sacrifices to get in shape.

Unfortunately our society would rather sit and eat and whine than make those sacrifices. Misery loves company, and give that most people are overweight these days it's no mystery as to why so many people are bent when a comedian states the obvious.

Like him or not, the guy is right. If you're fat the only remedy is to stop eating so much and exercise.

[HoneyRyder]

Yeah, because we all know you like Brad Pitt, so your one to judge right. whatever.
There is nothing funny about insulting a person for the way they look. Only A$$Wipes like Ricky and those who agree with him find hurting a person because of their size is funny. Bullies always think hurting people is hysterical

[Banji81]

The truth, however bitter, whatever the source, and regardless of the popular reaction to it, is no less true. People need to stop over indulging, over excusing, and under disciplining; being obese is no way to live and the sooner we stop being overly sensitive to discussing the things that are actively killing us, the sooner we'll start changing the mortality statistics.

[Banji81]

Look, HoneyRider, the truth, however bitter, whatever the source, and regardless of the popular reaction to it, is no less true. People need to stop over indulging, over excusing, and under disciplining; being obese is no way to live and the sooner we stop being overly sensitive to discussing the things that are actively k i l l i ng us, the sooner we'll start changing the mortality statistics. Jus' sayin'...

[dharma41]

I keep looking for a "fat joke" here. Where is one "fat joke"? Or how about insightful, cathartic humor? Nope. Still looking. What a minute. Did someone say crude, divisive, sophomoric, cheap shot, hurtful, verbal attack? Bingo!

[cactusgal]

What I want to know is how this article made it through the HP censors? They won't even let me call deke cheeny a big ph@tt moiderer and I have to spell a$$ with two dollar signs.

[repugnicansfearme]

So, Ricky is gay, right?

[klaatu barada nikto]

no

[seatech1]

If he is, he should certainly know better.

[Zofomofo]

That is real important for you to know huh? interesting...

[JhNyc]

No, he isn't, but what does that have to do with it?

[CRGirl30]

Nah - just British :)

[RogerTheShrubber]

What's next folks? Are we going to start calling his humor "lipo-terrorism"? For gods' sake, take a deep breath. It's humor. Some will find it funny, some not. Some find Don Rickles funny, some not. Some just don't have a sense of humor at all. I'm a bald gay lawyer. If I objected to all the bald-jokes, "homo"-jokes, and lawyer-jokes I hear, I'd have no time for anything else. I can't believe I'm going to use a Phil Graham-ism, but we are becoming such a nation of "whiners." [Oh god, did I just hurt someone's feelings?...]

[roblabrousse]

A bit ego-centric , no? You may be able to roll with the punches or maybe you are a bit stung by some of the jokes which make you their butt. Let's make fun of deformed,or burn victims or handicapped, or blind people or just plain ugly people or bucked tooth people, or flat chested or scarred people or autistic or spastic people. It can all be done with humor. Or let's hit all the racial and skin color jokes. It's not about whining it's just about not victimizing. There's got to be more things or subjects that truly need humor to point out a fault or reveal an absurdity. Do we really need to pick on people who have a hard enough time getting through life? This type of singling out only keeps prejudice alive and perpetuates unkindness. It would be admirable if Gervais could turn his acidic approach into something humorous where he tried to nudge people into helping themselves. Anyone can viciously rant.

[goodneighbor420]

ok, what do you call 2 paraplegics hanging in a window????
Kurt N Rod....just couldn't resist, cause come on---i've heard a bunch of paraplegic jokes...i think they're funny, but i realize that BEING a paraplegic isn't funny....if you can't laugh at the world and yourself, then you'll end up crying because it's so f ed up...humor sooothes the savage beast....the more I laugh, the better I feel

[seatech1]

The fact that you have developed a thick skin to those jokes does not make them right. It is wrong to single out groups of people who are different and then ridicule them. That is something that is wrong with our society. Sure, we have freedom of speech, which is great. But there is responsibility that goes along with that. We should not seek to harm others by our speech.
I do not like racial humor, even though I am "white". It's because there is so much hatred behind all of those jokes that it's not just about the joke and the ability of one to deal with them. It's about the fact that people have not let go of their hatred and will turn on groups of people just because they are different than them.
You, as a gay person, should be concerned about the level of hatred that is inherent in gay jokes. What about all of the gays that have been harmed, physically, because people thought them to be less than human?
Humor at the expense of someone is the same as insults hurled at them. After insults, what comes next?

[harriettubman]

People who enjoy that type of humor defend it by calling others politically correct.

[Horus]

I agree. No one should ever criticize or make a joke about anyone else. In fact any statement or comment that passes any level of judgement on anyone else should be entirely banned and punishable. People should learn to keep their mouths shut, like the old War Propaganda posters used to say, about keeping quiet. Anyway we need to send people who break that rule to sensitivity training. It could even be a multi-day thing, like in a camp setting.

[RogerTheShrubber]

I certainly agree that our freedom of speech includes a level of personal responsibility. However, the context here is stand-up comedy. You cannot ignore context. The same content can have hugely different meaning and impact in different contexts. Cursing, for example, is generally considered "bad" in an office setting but completely "normal" in stand-up comedy or theater or novels, etc. It's ok that a journalist mock the President at the Correspondent's Dinner in D.C. That same mockery is inappropriate at a White House press conference. Everything we say takes place in some context -- and it matters to our analysis. I also disagree with you suggesting that Gervais "seek(s) to harm others (with his) speech." You don't know if that's true. He's a humorist -- humorists are always commenting on something or someone. That his humor is biting or rude or just plain bad does not mean he's "seeking to harm." Lastly, there is such a thing as humor about gay people or larger people or bald people, etc., that is just funny. No hate, no evil intent, just comedy. To suggest that ALL humor about "groups" of people is hateful is kinda silly. Is there nothing we can say about "white people" that is funny? Think of some of the great comedians and how they pointed to the humor or silliness of a "group's" behaviors or customs or traditions, etc. I think I understand your position -- but you're painting with an awfully broad brush.