Comedian Ricky Gervais has come out swinging at people claiming that Jada Pinkett Smith’s alopecia is a ‘disability’.
During a Twitter Q&A with fans, the After Life creator gave his latest opinion on the infamous slap, condemning Will Smith’s actions after attacking presenter Chris Rock who made a G.I Jane joke in reference to his wife's shaved head, The Daily Mail reported.
“You don’t hit people over a joke, however bad it is. And it wasn’t bad!”
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“That was like the tamest joke I would ever have told,” he said.
“Someone said it was joking about her disability,'' he said.
“Well I’m going a bit thin, so I’m disabled. That means I can park right up next to Tescos now.”
He added: "And I’m fat. That’s a disease, isn’t it?"
Gervais then joked he should be awarded disability support due to his physical appearance.
“I’m fat and balding,” he said.
“I should get f***ing benefits.”
But this isn’t the first time the comedian has weighed on Will Smith’s Oscars slap.
According to New York Post, last week, while performing in London, Gervais said on stage: “I’ll get it out of the way. I have not got any Will Smith material.
“I trended when that happened and I was not even there,” he said.
"'What would have happened if Ricky Gervais had been doing it [hosting the Oscars]?'"
Gervais also stated that he wouldn’t have made jokes about Pinkett Smith’s hair condition; instead, he would’ve fired shots at her affair with singer August Alsina after it made headlines last year.
“Well, nothing,” he continued.
“As I would not have made a joke about his wife’s hair. I would have made a joke about her boyfriend.”
Many fans wondered what would have happened if Gervais hosted the 94th Academy Awards, given the actor/writer has hosted the Golden Globes five times - in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2020.
Although Gervais is known to take aim at many actors during his Golden Globes opening monologues, it has never resulted in violence onstage.
One Twitter user wrote: “I think you need to watch a few more award shows. Start with Ricky Gervais at the Golden globes in 2020. Ricky made much more offensive jokes than Chris. And no one slapped him.”
While another wrote: “Chris Rock: *makes an extremely offensive joke*
"Also Chris Rock: *gets slapped*
"Ricky Gervais: *makes an extremely offensive joke*
"Also Ricky Gervais: *gets invited to host the Golden Globes for the 5th time (2020)*”
Aside from Gervais, maybe next time, we should send presenters out with a mouthguard and some knee pads if they plan on riffing with the audience.
Topics: News, Oscars, Will Smith, Ricky Gervais
Charisa Bossinakis