Wanda Sykes delivered a scathing roast to Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes, winning an award for him in the process. The comedian took aim at Gervais' past jokes about trans people, which drew criticism from some quarters.
Sykes' acceptance speech was laced with sarcasm as she thanked "God and the trans community" - a move that highlighted the divide between the two men on issues of free speech and comedy. Gervais has never publicly defended his anti-trans remarks, despite being praised by Netflix chief Ted Sarandos for pushing boundaries in comedy.
The jab at Gervais comes as no surprise given Sykes' own history with tackling taboo topics on stage. She's known for her sharp wit and willingness to take risks in her comedy, often leaving audiences uncomfortable. For his part, Gervais has always prided himself on being provocative, saying that he "likes that people feel slightly uneasy" when he starts a joke.
The 2022 Netflix special "SuperNature" sparked controversy with its trans-themed jokes, which Sykes now seems to be using as ammunition against her fellow comedian. Despite the tension, Gervais' star continues to rise at the Golden Globes - winning his fifth invitation to host and landing the inaugural award for best comedy special.
Sykes' win in 2024 marked a turning point in the feud between the two comedians, with many interpreting it as a victory of principle over provocation. The irony is not lost on Sykes, who chose to accept the award from home rather than attend the ceremony itself.
Sykes' acceptance speech was laced with sarcasm as she thanked "God and the trans community" - a move that highlighted the divide between the two men on issues of free speech and comedy. Gervais has never publicly defended his anti-trans remarks, despite being praised by Netflix chief Ted Sarandos for pushing boundaries in comedy.
The jab at Gervais comes as no surprise given Sykes' own history with tackling taboo topics on stage. She's known for her sharp wit and willingness to take risks in her comedy, often leaving audiences uncomfortable. For his part, Gervais has always prided himself on being provocative, saying that he "likes that people feel slightly uneasy" when he starts a joke.
The 2022 Netflix special "SuperNature" sparked controversy with its trans-themed jokes, which Sykes now seems to be using as ammunition against her fellow comedian. Despite the tension, Gervais' star continues to rise at the Golden Globes - winning his fifth invitation to host and landing the inaugural award for best comedy special.
Sykes' win in 2024 marked a turning point in the feud between the two comedians, with many interpreting it as a victory of principle over provocation. The irony is not lost on Sykes, who chose to accept the award from home rather than attend the ceremony itself.