Ricky Gervais has been causing a lively controversy for the past few days with SuperNature, his new one man show described as “transphobic”. Watching the show on Netflix, we quickly understand what set the fire to the powder.
Posted at 8:00 a.m.
After only four minutes, the British comedian dives into the heart of the matter by addressing women, but not all women…
“I mean, the former women, the ones with a uterus. These dinosaurs. I love new women, though. They are awesome, aren’t they? The ones we’ve seen recently, with beards and penises…”
A few minutes later, evoking the culture of banishment, Gervais persists and signs. “The worst thing you can say today is, ‘Women don’t have penises.’ Who could have predicted that? »
Towards the end of the show, between two criticisms of the movement woke, the sexagenarian adds a layer by declaring: “To tell you the truth, I defend the rights of trans people. I stand up for human rights, so I stand up for the rights of trans people. Thrive. Use the pronouns of your choice. Choose the genre that suits you. But help me, ladies. Go your own way and drop your penis. That’s all. »
“Anti-trans delirium”
In the United States, GLAAD, an advocacy organization for gay, lesbian and transgender people, called Ricky Gervais’ jokes “dangerous” anti-trans mania. In a statement, the association criticized Netflix for hosting a show that encourages violent and hateful acts, contrary to the policies the platform has adopted.
On Twitter, the messages accusing the author of the series The Office and Afterlife of transphobia abound…exactly what the main interested party had anticipated. A few times in SuperNatureGervais speaks directly to the “outraged”, emphasizing that he does not care about their complaints.
These people invent a virtue. They try to elevate their status by crushing others. They pretend that they are “protecting minorities”, as if they had no sense of humor. It’s so condescending!
Ricky Gervais
“I know what it’s like to be outnumbered,” quips Gervais. [Au Royaume-Uni], we only have 5% black, 5% Asian and 5% LGBTQ. This is little. I am a straight white man and multi-millionaire. We are less than 1%. Am I complaining? No. »
An “easy” subject
The controversy surrounding Ricky Gervais is obviously reminiscent of that concerning Dave Chappelle. Last fall, the American comedian found himself at the heart of a media storm after the release – also on Netflix – of a solo show entitled The Closer Also called a transphobe. “Gender is a fact,” argued the stand-up comedian on stage.
Trans people are increasingly the target of comedians. “Transidentity, non-binaries… It’s been in the news for some time. It’s an easy subject,” says Samuel Desbiens, executive director of TRANS Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec, an organization that supports, directs and welcomes trans people and their loved ones.
According to Samuel Desbiens, transgender people are “capable of laughing at themselves”.
It’s not forbidden to laugh at gender identity, just as it’s not forbidden to laugh at any subject. But there is a way to bring things about.
Samuel Desbiens, General Manager of TRANS Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec
For Christelle Paré, pedagogical director of the National School of Humor (ENH) and professor in the Department of Communications at the University of Ottawa, the intention behind the joke counts for a lot.
“What is the intention behind the joke?” Is it to hurt to hurt or is it to push the reflection further? Free humor, hitting below the belt, that’s what we appreciate the least. When the intent is unclear, it usually generates the biggest controversy. »
We MUST laugh at everything
Despite the controversies (Ricky Gervais, Dave Chappelle, Mike Ward), the ENH continues to teach not only that we can laugh at everything, but that we MUST laugh at everything. At the show for the graduates of the establishment, Wednesday at Club Soda, sexual diversity was one of the topics discussed on stage, as were mental health, suicide and misogyny.
“Critical humor is an extremely important aspect of our social life, of our political life,” says Christelle Paré. Through research, we clearly see that humor is an enormous vehicle for transmitting and negotiating the rules of living together, our social constructions. »
Fact to note: last winter, while Dave Chappelle was making headlines, Christelle Paré organized an open discussion with all the students. The results reassured her.
“We had a whole discussion,” says the educational director. Everyone was able to argue their point. It confirmed to me how much the new generation of comedians has something to say. They have experienced maple spring, COVID, the #metoo movement, Black Lives Matter… They want to express themselves. They are not afraid. »
SuperNatureby Ricky Gervais, is presented on Netflix.
Excerpts from Ricky Gervais’ shows
“I defend the rights of trans people. Thrive. Use the pronouns of your choice. Choose the genre that suits you. But help me, ladies. Go your own way and drop your penis. »
“The risk is that by dint of wanting to be politically correct, and more woke than the other, we decide one day that we can no longer say “pedophile”. Because it’s derogatory. It’s offensive to people addicted to children. »
“Nothing is considered crazy anymore. It’s all just syndrome, addiction or preference. I could trade my legs for wheels and identify with a stroller. »
“In some clubs, the comedian must sign a paper stating that he will not say anything controversial or offensive. It turns clubs into safe spaces for the audience. I tried, but I hated it. I’ve decided that I’d rather watch Louis CK masturbate. »