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

[normathumb]

To paraphrase Lenny Bruce, Fork you if you can't take a joke.

[cal5000]

I will stop picking on fat people when the insurance companies stop using fat people's medical issues as an excuse to raise EVERYONE's rates.

Until then fat people are bleeding the health care industry and all of us dry.

Fire at will I say.

[bugsbonzai]

Not really. It's the insurance companies fault. They''re the shameless greedy bastards- they're just using fat people as the excuse to turn you upside down and shake till all the money falls out of your pockets.

[LolaP]

He's right though. LESS than 1% of obese people have a medical condition that makes them so. The remaining 99.somethi­ng % just eat too much, of the wrong stuff and don't move enough. It may become an addiction, yes, but there's no way you're not gonna lose weight eventually, if you stop eating junk and start moving

[FabulousAt52]

Well Lola, show me the links to the studies you've read to get those "stats" ok?

Now make sure you're not sending me to websites promoting "studies" done [funded]
by Weight-loss businesses, or by pharmacutical companies that sell Alli and other weight loss drugs...
I want to see REAL, unbiased, legitimate SCIENTIFIC studies conducted within the last 5 years to back up all this propaganda regarding an "obesity epidemic" and your statistics on WHY people are fat....

I'll check back in a little while.... :-)

[FabulousAt52]

Still waiting, Lola......­.....

[CalverH]

And, obesity is a serious public health problem in this country. Beside the load of preventable deseases that come with it, it puts a HUGE burden of the health care system.
I don't think it is ok to make fun of fat people, making it the norm (larger seats in the airplane etc ...)is not the solution ...

[amdezurik]

do you have some back-up on your numbers? How do you define "medical"? Does that include genetic tendencies? Where di you get your medical degree? Will you ever stop talking out of yout back side?

[JhNyc]

A lot of us have those genetic tendencies, which means it takes more effort. Life isn't fair. Bottom line, though, choice of what we eat and how much we move makes all the difference. (No, I don't have a medical degree either, but my doctor and nutritionist both do).

[LolaP]

I got my degree at BUMC, love

[Gib]

How do USA citizens come to have genetic tendencies that are not shared by people in all the countries their ancestors came from? Obesity is a consequence of over-eating and under-exercising, made possible (but not unavoidable) by affluence.

[AContrario]

We are always pretending to crying out loud for truth but when the truth hit us
right in the teeth we can't handle it, so we start using decoys like respect and
other PC devices to hide our sham.

[BadgersBite]

I need a sandwich after reading that!

[Lisette]

lol

[eka15]

Those who actually have surgery are often morbidly obese and have to take drastic measures to recover from their illness. Do they deserve to be objects of your petty scorn? What gives you or Gervais the right to demean their struggle for life?

[roblabrousse]

What does it matter to Gervais except that he has material for his comedy routine? If he doesn't fully understand the situation of these overweight people then he shouldn't consider himself an expert on it. He might do more help if he got a message out about correct diet and how to help people in these situations. His humor in this instance amounts to a mean, nasty attack on easy targets. It's neither funny nor does it make him worthy of any sort of admiration. Gervais, if you want to be known as a tacky, cruel coward you're achieving that goal.

[poizinniv]

Getting out the message that a correct diet will help people lose weight? Do you really think that 99% of people who are obese are not aware that a good diet and exercise will help them be healthier, if not slimmer?
I don't think what he said was the most sensitive thing, but I do believe we have an epidemic in our country with this weight issue. Obesity is a killer, and to pretend otherwise and that it's "no big deal" seems ridiculous to me. I believe in being respectful of others and I have no issue with any minority or majority group. But, telling the truth about why most people are fat (even in a rude way), is not the problem here. We can't PC away the truth, and there is a difference between being morbidly obese and being born gay or straight. We need a way to talk about the truth while still being respectful.
On the other hand, I do think humor has a place in most sensitive issues. If we can't joke about ourselves and see the silliness behind the curtains, then these issues become the elephant in the room- there but unacknowledged.

[goodneighbor420]

he's a comedian, it's not his job to 'get the message out' it's his job to make people laugh---sheesh--the message is out already--eat healthy and get lots of exercise---and quit trying to tell me that all fat people have a disease...­they don't--most are just fat cause they eat too much--just because he points this out doesn't make him mean

[Squidkid]

Actually, at least in the United States, the Constitution gives you the right to demean "their struggle for life," whatever that means. Regardless of how you personally feel about obesity, Ricky Gervais is entitled to his opinion and free to express it. If you don't like it, don't listen to him (or read Huffington Posts about him).

[Zofomofo]

It is called the Constitution. Put down that Big Mac and read it.

[eka15]

It's true that many weight problems could be solved by diet and exercise. Mr. Gervais only stated the obvious. However, the language in which he did so is inexcusable. What is the point of such a hateful overtone? (And don't tell me that I need to learn to take a joke, this is a serious issue.) Since when did it become acceptable to talk about a group of people that way? It is purely demoralizing. Those who are overweight often could solve their problems through diet and exercise, as I stated earlier, but that doesn't mean that it will be easy. Eating food can be a real addiction, often foisted on us by hectic lifestyles and corporate interests. (Also, it is often the poorest among us who suffer from the worst diets. Is it their fault they can't afford proper food? Is your response that they should just get a job and stop whining?) You wouldn't make fun of an alcoholic like this, so why make fun of fat people? "Gee, Bobby, why don't you just put down the bottle and have a soda! It's so f**king easy!" That's just not the way it is. Eating problems often have genetic and hormonal components that people can't help because they were born with them. And if you don't believe that genetics and hormones dictate what we look like, try actually knowing something about biology before you make ignorant and prejudiced pronouncements.

[Lisette]

Where is the funny part?
Just downright rude

[LolaP]

It's truuuueee.­.

[Mikeeee]

He nailed it, if you're overweight stop the person who's over feeding you.

[dharma41]

You're right. Where are the "fat jokes"? I read lots of harsh criticism, some of it a very crude and mean spirited attempt at being humorous, but not one "fat joke" as such.

[Horus]

I AGREE WITH YOU!!! RUDE DAM.MIT! RUDE!

p.s. im fat

lol

[eka15]

It's true that many weight problems could be solved by diet and exercise. Mr. Gervais only stated the obvious. However, the language in which he did so is inexcusable. What is the point of such a hateful overtone? (And don't tell me that I need to learn to take a joke, this is a serious issue.) Since when did it become acceptable to talk about a group of people that way? It is purely demoralizing. Those who are overweight often could solve their problems through diet and exercise, as I stated earlier, but that doesn't mean that it will be easy. Eating food can be a real addiction, often foisted on us by hectic lifestyles and corporate interests. (Also, it is often the poorest among us who suffer from the worst diets. Is it their fault they can't afford proper food? Is your response that they should just get a job and stop whining?) You wouldn't make fun of an alcoholic like this, so why make fun of fat people? "Gee, Bobby, why don't you just put down the bottle and have a soda! It's so f**king easy!" Finally, eating problems often have genetic and hormonal components that people can't help because they were born with them. And if you don't believe that genetics and hormones dictate what we look like, try actually knowing something about biology before you make ignorant and prejudiced pronouncements.

[gorgol]

Ricky Gervais...­Haven't we all thought the same thing about fat people?? Come on...be honest....
other than that...He'­s brilliant. And a writing/creative talent like Gervais and Merchant and okay...Rou­nded Headed Karl...wel­l, its a blessing to the world. I'm hooked. Never heard of him a year ago..and now I'm hooked. Ghost Town..Oh, what a sweet, brilliant movie, and Gervais...­the only one that could have played the part. And Monkey News, the Fire House Monkey my favorite..­..I"ve listened to it many times just for a laugh. Extras..I wish there were more. Thanks Ricky. Thanks for it all.

[notb observer]

I wish more people were as forthright and brutally honest as Gervais is when it comes to weight issues. The same can be said for people who starve themselves to oblivion. But as far as the issue of excessive weight goes, western society, and the US in particular has not been as concerned as it should have been with the epidemic. We have record numbers of "morbidly obese" adults leading to record numbers of diabetic children. The parents and their children are a huge and unnecessary drain on our healthcare system. Our lifestyle is largely to blame, but access to "magic bullets" from the pharmaceutical industries only perpetuates the idea that weight loss can be solved by a pill rather than a lifelong commitment to eating well and making an effort to keep at least minimally fit.
Of course, for many, the problem is compounded by hectic schedules which leads to poor nutritional choices and little time for taking care of oneself.
Unfortunately, while there has been a very public campaign against smoking, there is no equivalent effort to constantly remind and badger people into eating healthy and becoming fit.

[adamsmith3]

The obesity epidemic also is a huge drain on health costs for the state. Many overweight people develop diabetes and cardiovascular problems and don't have health insurance. They show up to the ER or they get medicaid or medicare for health problems that could have been largely avoided simply by taking a walk for an hour each day instead of eating extra snacks on the couch.

[FabulousAt52]

AdamSmith3-
Everything you said there is an absolute exaggeration if not complete fabricatio­n....

THIN and AVERAGE people develop diabetes as well. No difference in rates between thin diabetics and fat diabetics.
THIN and AVERAGE people get high blood pressure and heart disease too.
THIN and AVERAGE people can have sky high cholesterol as well. Just as many fat people have NORMAL levels of cholesterol. (gee, whoda thunk it?)
THIN and AVERAGE people get all the same diseases and cancers as fat people.
(Actually heavier people bounce back from cancer treatments MUCH better than thin people do.... that's a fact. Some times its not so bad to have a little extra weight).
THIN and AVERAGE people get arthritis, liver disease, kidney disease, etc.
There is no such thing as a disease ONLY fat people get that THIN people do not.
We ALL die in the end... fat, thin, average, doesn't matter; we all die.

And whatever health issue causes us to utilize the health care system until we
die is expensive!!
Sky-rocketing Health Care cost is the issue, not how fat a person is who needs health care. Use common sense.

[FabulousAt52]

3 or 4 (different) comments of mine are all held up in the "pending" file....
Thanks HuffPo. Unbelievable how an article with the words coc.k etc in it can be printed but more than 35 posts are pulled and pending for moderation. [rolls eyes]

Anyway, my comment to Adamsmith3 (once again):

The "obesity epidemic" is a MYTH. Fat people driving up the costs of health care for everyone else is worse than a myth- it's an out and out LIE. Period.

[Gib]

As you point out, obesity is a social issue. If the US is to have a comprehensive health care system, then one person's weight problem becomes everybody's business - because everybody will be paying the health-care costs incurred.

[Lisette]

I loathe all this "I am just beig honest" sentiment.
not everything you think needs to be spoken.
Lets be more thoughtful and less ignorant

[AContrario]

"I loathe all this "I am just beig honest" sentiment.­"

Why you are obese?

[Puzzles]

Money money money! Count the ads in any tv show. All the "juicy burgers", the "eat what you like and STILL lose weight" programs, the "now only a dollar for the supreme". C'mon, we've all seen "Super Size me". Follow the money being made by everyone in the process. The Mega farms to produce the food, the restaurants that sell it, the medical industry to address for the disease and the diet and lifestyle purveyors who can "help you lose weight." It is all born out of the American mantra of
"I want more!"

Still, it easy for Gervais to talk, I mean, he's English. To get fat on English food would make you a true glutton--for punishment and assorted boiled entrails. Now if he was French or Italian or Thai, then his opinion might have more weight.

[roblabrousse]

Since when has brutality as a learning tool been successful? And since when have heartless and cruel words motivated people to change? People have to be educated. Kids have to have learn year to year about nutrition in science classes and perhaps just in a nutrition and health class. Physical education needs to expand so that other forms such as dance or yoga or whatever types of body awareness courses can bring all types of kids in touch with physical exercise. The folks who already have the weight problems need to be reached through any means to educate them. Television programming , regular newspaper articles, education through their doctor's offices any means.Yes, even a public campaign. You can't scream in the face of people about their most vulnerable faults. Nothing is that black and white.

[miamia]

Telling people to get off their arse and stop eating so much is not an act of brutality.

Feeding yourself until you are bloated and unable to move freely, however, is such an act.

He accurately stated, the very thing that most people can do to save their own lives.

[adamsmith3]

Gervais is just pointing out the obvious and only in a society that has become wrought with oversensitivity to the brutal truth can this be seen as prejudiced. It may be said in a crude manner, but it's for the most part true. Yes, there are those who are genetically disposed to a slower metabolism or high cholesterol. Those people are a very small minority. The large majority of overweight people simply eat too much and don't exercise enough and many opt for the easy way out through surgery. He's not calling obese people bad people, he's just calling most of them physically lazy or weak-willed when it comes to a diet. That's common sense not hate language.

[nsmavrik]

Not hate language?

"..You lazy fu--ing fat pig..."

I hate to see what you consider to not be hate language.

[roblabrousse]

It's none of his business. He has no right to attack people in the manner that he did.

[JhNyc]

He has the absolute right to say what he said. You have the right not to listen.

[FabulousAt52]

The "epidemic" of obesity, and what it costs in health care, and how it 'kills' people is about 90% lies and the rest is exaggerated. I've read many studies and have researched this topic for several bio-psychology and biology classes...­. Fat people do not get nor create any disease that a normal weight person doesn't get.

There are NO 'fat diseases'. More people die every year from strictly being anorexic, (and they cost us thousands in health care, too... if you want to look at that factor as well) than those who die of strictly being fat. One of the reasons being fat is now hyped into an "epidemic" is because the bar has been lowered to about 20 lbs overweight = "Obese".

Just a decade or two ago one had to be a lot fatter than that to be considered truly obese. I have worked in cardiologists' offices... the sickest patients with the worst cholesterol and related health issues were the THIN ones... we saw very few fat patients in comparison. When it comes to cancer and its treatments, do you know who does better? Heavier people! It's the thin patients who can't hold up to the weight loss and nutritional backlash from chemo and radiation treatments.
Don't buy the propaganda on the 'evils' of being fat. It isn't always "bad".

[DMSmith]

OK, I'm not a religious man, or a believer in 'A' God. But....God made me this way. More than that, no one needs to know.

[Lisette]

I agree with you !!!

[Squidkid]

Isn't it funny how many people resort to this kind of platitude when it comes to their own issues and foibles but don't accept it when other people say it? The religious right never seems to accept gays and lesbians when they claim "god made them this way." Virtually no one in America would accept a child molester who claimed "god made them this way." It's either a cop out or an all-encompassing excuse but those who fall back on it never quite get that.

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

Gervais is one of the best comic talents around today. I think he was a bit crude, especially for him (he's usually more eloquent and witty), but many overweight people opt for surgery rather than just exercising and cutting out crappy foods.

Personally, I think this garbage is much ado about nothing. I think we should just make fun of everybody. We're all flawed anyway.

[adamsmith3]

"I think we should just make fun of everybody.­"

Perfectly agreed. Instead of being so careful to not make fun of anybody we should be able to all laugh at ourselves.­"

[roblabrousse]

It's not the laughing at ourselves part that's objectionable at all ...it's the how it's done part and without kicking people full force in their vulnerable zone. Friendly persuasion is always a better method.

[Lisette]

Funny? Ricky?
Don't think so
Rude?
Yes indeed!!

[sedum]

Lisette,

Got your point way back. Your 15 seconds is up.

[Gib]

He's one of the funniest people around, because he's so clever.

[Bigredhunk]

I like Ricky, but it's a huge misconception being propogated­....All fat people aren't lazy compulsive eaters. The mere fact that somatotype plays such a large role (ectomorphs are skinny, don't put on fat, and have trouble putting on muscle ---- endomorphs are rounder, have trouble staying lean, but can gain muscle more easily) underscores this. The difference between the two is that you can't be too thin in today's society (unless you look sick), but if you've got too much body fat, many people loathe the sight of you. You're perceived to have a weakness.

Nobody makes anyone eat certain things, of course. But we all know that two people can have the exact same diet and completely different bodies. Unfortunately, crap food is prevalant in our society. It's (HFCS, trans-fats, etc...) everywhere, and it's hard to avoid. You have to work very hard to avoid it and eat a completely healthy diet. It's harder to shop for and prepare. Some peoples' bodies oxidize/metaboliize crap efficiently/slowly (it burns slowly in their body, keeping them full, without spiking insulin levels). Others oxidize/metabolize food inefficien­tly/quickl­y (it burns up quick, insulin gets pumped into their bodies to store it as fat, and they're hungry again).

EVERYONE can be healthy and lean. It just takes much more effort and discipline (eating cleaner) for some than others. That's what sucks. Don't assume everyone is the same and some people just have more discipline than others, because it's wrong.

[MaximMaximus]

Most of them are...over­eaters.

[Milash]

Thank you.