Ricky Gervais issues brilliant 8-word clap back as he’s accused of only playing ‘inconvenienced white guy’ roles
Comedian Ricky Gervais issued a brilliant response to an X user who labelled the actor’s TV roles as “inconvenienced white guy”.
The comedian prompted criticism after sharing a clip on the social media site from his series Afterlife with the message: “Afterlife allowed me to say the things I’m not brave enough to say in real life,” accompanied by a laughing emoji.
One disgruntled user re-shard the post, writing: “Hate ‘comedians’ whose whole gimmick is being inconvenienced as a white guy.”
Rather than engaging in debate, Gervais delivered a characteristically sharp retort: “Netflix wouldn’t let me play a black guy,” adding a tear emoji.
The exchange demonstrates the creator’s typical approach to online criticism, using humour to deflect accusations about his comedic perspective.
His response quickly gained traction on the platform, with many praising the comedian’s ability to turn criticism into comedy gold.
This latest social media sparring comes as the comedian recently reflected on his approach to celebrity culture whilst discussing the twentieth anniversary of Extras.
Speaking to the Telegraph, he observed that the BBC Two series pioneered having major stars mock themselves on screen.
“It wasn’t as common at the time to have these A-listers ridiculing themselves,” he noted.
The show featured Hollywood heavyweights like Samuel L Jackson, Kate Winslet and Robert De Niro portraying exaggerated versions of their public personas.
His co-creator Stephen Merchant recalled how numerous famous fans of The Office expressed interest in collaborating with them. This enthusiasm directly inspired Extras’ format.
“It was before social media – before everyone found out that celebrities are just like us. They’re idiots!” Gervais remarked about the show’s enduring relevance.
The comedian has previously employed similar satirical tactics when addressing political controversies.
In June, he responded to the Glastonbury festival furore by sharing an image from his 2020 Golden Globes hosting stint, overlaid with his famous line: “You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything.”
His caption read: “Maybe I should host a music award next,” followed by a laughing emoji.
The Golden Globes speech itself became legendary for its brutal takedown of Hollywood hypocrisy.
He memorably told winners to avoid political speeches, stating they “know nothing about the real world” and had “spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.”
This pattern reveals his consistent strategy of using comedy to sidestep earnest political discourse whilst simultaneously commenting on celebrity activism.
This approach aligns with his broader philosophy about comedy and criticism. Throughout his career, from The Office to Afterlife, he has consistently used humour as both shield and weapon against those who challenge his comedic choices.
The exchange also highlights the ongoing debate about comedy’s boundaries and who gets to define them.