Just when the internet thought comedian Matt Rife‘s domestic violence bit was bad, Ricky Gervais proved that things can get so much darker after spewing “vile” jokes about terminally ill children in his upcoming stand-up special, Armageddon.
Gervais shared a clip from the special to his Instagram, where he talks about filming video messages for sick children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“I’ve been doing a lot of video messages recently for terminally ill children,” he explains in the clip. “Only if they request it, obviously. I don’t burst into hospitals and go, ‘Wake up, baldy. Look at me twerking on TikTok. Look.’”
According to the actor, he always starts the video the same way.
“I go, ‘Why didn’t you wish to get better? What, you fucking r*tarded as well?’” he said.
Following a mixed reaction from the audience, Gervais insists that he doesn’t use the “R-word” in real life. Instead, he says he’s “playing a role” during his stand-up routines and that it’s convincing because he’s “good” at his job.
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Still, social media users were not buying Gervais’ excuse that it was just a performance. In fact, many flocked to the Instagram comments section to slam the comedian for his “complete lack of empathy or compassion” with his “absolutely disgusting” bit.
“What kind of person jokes about terminally ill children!!! & then uses the R word?!” one, whose said their niece passed away from cancer at only 12 years old, wrote. “I am appalled by your laughing audience who are just completely oblivious to the actual effects of and emotions involved with kids fighting cancer.”
They added, “It should be CLEAR AS DAY to EVERYONE that an illness like cancer is NO laughing matter, so please, have some empathy, and don’t treat it as such. @rickygervais you’re not even funny! & SHAME on @netflix for allowing this on their platforms!”
Another commented, “There is a line that you just shouldn’t cross and you did.. and you’ve never even walked it. Very disappointing.”
Someone else posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), “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? Shame on you @rickygervais. Children fighting for their life are NO laughing matter. I have no respect for this man.”
Decider has reached out to reps for Gervais and Netflix for comment, but did not hear back by the time of publication.
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