Netflix has been embroiled in a fresh row as fans have called on the streaming service to pull an "ableist" scene from Ricky Gervais ' new stand-up show.
Controversial comedian Gervais returned to the platform as he launched his new stand-up show Armageddon. However, despite fans hailing his return to the limelight, some have been left stunned at some of his jokes, which they believe have crossed a line.
In his new show on Netflix, set to be released to the public on Christmas Day, Ricky spared no mercy as he took aim at a number of different groups of people in his famous dry, sarcastic comedic tone. He also spared no one, as he turned his attention to children with terminal cancer.
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In one uncomfortable clip, Ricky recalled that he had been making clips to be shown to children as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants kids their ultimate wish before they pass away. The clip, which The Office star Ricky shared to Twitter, saw him brand these children were "f***ing r*****ed for not wishing to get better".
He continued: "I then burst into hospitals and go 'Wake up baldy'. Look at me twerking on TikTok." The in-hall audience proceeded to erupt into fits of laughter during the set, which Netflix is releasing as a series.
"I always say yes [to the children's requests]," Gervais added. "And I always start the video the same way.
"I go: 'Why didn't you wish to get better? What, you f***ing r*****ed as well?"
Gervais was quick to clear up the confusion, as the crowd's laughter started to turn to grimaces. "I don't do that either okay? These are all jokes alright.
"I don't even use that word in real life – the "r" word. I used it in a joke, that's not real life, is it. I'm playing a role," Ricky finished.
Since the video was released, Ricky has faced a massive online backlash, as the parents of children who are terminally ill launched a petition to get Netflix to remove the controversial scene, already reaching 5,000 signatures. Similarly, a UK disability charity has slammed the skit for containing "ableist slurs".
Scope, a British charity that helps with disability rights, blasted the comedian for the comments, saying that the language he used "has consequences" for people in the real world. The charity posted a thread to Twitter explaining the ramifications of his 'joke'.
"He argues that he wouldn't use this language in 'real-life'," the statement read. "But his stand-up routine doesn't exist in a parallel universe.
"The stage is real. Netflix is real. The people this kind of language impacts are real."
Scope was later forced to close their Twitter reply feature on its posts, after the charity itself faced backlash from fervent Gervais supporters. They added that they "aren't here to dictate what people should or should not find funny".
Meanwhile, other users of the social media platform have hit out at Ricky for his remarks, with one person commenting: "Shame on you Ricky Gervais. Children fight for their life are no laughing matter – I have no respect for this man."
A second user joined in the slamming, saying: "For a man who profited so heavily from a TV programme that had cancer as a central plot point, this feels really weird." Whilst a third viewer was disgusted at what they heard: "This is the most vile attempt at "comedy" I've ever seen. Sick and dying children wish for a video from him, and he mocks them like this?"
Ricky Gervais' stand-up show Armageddon will be available to stream on Christmas Day, December 25.
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