Ricky Gervais Wins Golden Globe for Stand-Up as Wanda Sykes Roasts Nominees

Ricky Gervais won the Golden Globe for best stand-up comedy on Sunday night, though he was not at the ceremony, and presenter Wanda Sykes used the moment to roast each nominee, singling out Gervais in particular. Gervais received the prize for his Netflix special "Mortality." Sykes, wearing a pin that read "Be Good" in tribute to Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last week, quipped about Bill Maher, called Brett Goldstein handsome with a "supervillain voice," described Kevin Hart as "the richest guy in this category" and "a true American," and also ribbed Kumail Nanjiani and Sarah Silverman before turning to Gervais.

Sykes said she "love[d] you for not being here" because she could accept the award on his behalf and mock that he would "thank God. And the trans community." When she opened the envelope she announced the winner: "Ricky Gervais," adding that he "says he would like to thank God. And the trans community." The 64-year-old comedian was not present; he also was not at the ceremony when he won the same prize two years ago.

The article notes Gervais has hosted the Globes five times and has a history of sharp, controversial jokes, including a 2016 joke about Caitlyn Jenner and a later special in which he appeared to compare identifying as transgender to identifying as a chimpanzee; in a New York Times interview he said that, properly understood, the joke is at the expense of those who would make the comparison.

Key Topics

Culture, Ricky Gervais, Wanda Sykes, Golden Globes, Mortality, Renee Good