Comedian Ricky Gervais has issued a fiery response to the backlash surrounding his latest Netflix stand-up special, titled 'Mortality'. The 64-year-old star directly addressed critics who accused him of complaining about so-called cancel culture within the programme, which was recorded at the London Palladium and launched on the streaming platform on Tuesday, 31 December 2025.
Gervais Declares Victory Over Cancel Culture
In the special, Gervais describes the last decade as a "really weird time" for comedy, where performers have been second-guessing their material. He specifically targets virtue-signalling and those easily offended by jokes. Addressing his live audience, he stated it was great to hear genuine laughter again, claiming comedians have faced undue pressure.
"People find anything offensive, but we pushed back, and we won. So f*** them," Gervais declared in the show. He revealed there have been multiple attempts to cancel him over his controversial material in recent years, but all have failed. "I'm too old now not to say what I want," he added, as reported by the Mirror.
Social Media and 'Virtue-Signalling' in the Spotlight
The comedian argued that social media has been a key driver of cancel culture, enabling people to claim moral superiority without proof. "With the advent of social media, people suddenly discovered they could just say they were virtuous. No evidence, no proof, just loads of flags in their bio," Gervais explained.
He criticised what he sees as the smugness of adopting the prevailing morality of the age, suggesting it requires little courage. Despite the controversy, 'Mortality' has risen to the number one spot on the Netflix charts, receiving significant acclaim alongside the criticism.
Direct Clapback to Online Critics
One social media user criticised Gervais for claiming victory over elites while being handsomely paid by Netflix, calling it a "safe-space rebellion." The critic argued that mocking universally disliked targets is not edgy but profitable.
Gervais did not hesitate to respond. "I've never moaned about being cancelled because I've never been cancelled," he fired back. He clarified that his concern lies with ordinary people like nurses and teachers being cancelled for honest opinions, adding, "Luckily we're coming out of that phase though. Thanks for watching."
