Ricky Gervais is at it again, this time mulling over the end of humanity in his Netflix special “Armageddon.” Pandemics, nuclear war, climate change – it’s all fair game in Gervais’ relentless pursuit of comedy. But it’s not just the end of the world he’s concerned about. No, Gervais has his sights set on a more immediate threat – the “woke” mindset.
In “Armageddon,” Gervais takes aim at the “woke mind virus” as dubbed by none other than SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. And he does it with such precision and humor that it’s impossible not to appreciate the brilliance of his takedown. When the usual suspects of woke culture dub the special “boring,” you know Gervais is hitting the bullseye.
But “Armageddon” isn’t just a scathing critique of woke culture. It’s a saucy TED Talk on comedy and culture, with Gervais gently scolding us for being “offended” by jokes that don’t fit neatly into our preconceived boxes. He opens by admitting, “I have some terrible f***ing thoughts,” in a nod to the human condition – we can’t control what pops into our heads.
Next, he delves into the woke mindset, taking on open border policies, the Word Police, and the ever-shifting landscape of what’s considered “offensive.” Every woke warrior is in his comedic crosshairs, from those who put “anti-fascist” in their bios to the evolution of certain words from taboo to acceptable. “Just be patient,” he cautions, as he lays out his perspective with expert comic precision.
And then there’s the “n-word” routine – a masterpiece that shreds a core woke principle. It’s classic Gervais, using humor to convey a point in a way that few others can. He also takes aim at organized religion, human folly, and even Biology 101. His personal anecdotes are crisp and witty, ensuring there’s never a dull moment in the hour-long special.
Of course, if you’re looking to be outraged, “Armageddon” has plenty to offer. Gervais fearlessly tackles sensitive topics like pedophilia, disabilities, and racism, all without flinching. He even takes a well-aimed jab at late-night propagandists, without even needing to mention any names.
“I don’t like it when a comedian just spouts his own political views and it relies on the audience agreeing with him to get a round of applause. I think that loses something comedically … a joke shouldn’t have a political wing,” he quips, hitting the nail on the head. And yes, it stings a bit.
Gervais doesn’t shy away from pushing the envelope, even acknowledging when he might have gone too far. But he’s not concerned about the Twitter scolds waiting to pounce on him. No, he cares about the audience hungry for a good laugh – the ones who bought a ticket to be entertained.
In the end, “Armageddon” may enrage the usual suspects, but that’s all part of the show. Gervais isn’t here to play it safe or cater to the politically correct crowd. He’s here to make us laugh, think, and maybe even question our own beliefs. And for that, we should be grateful for Gervais and his fearless brand of comedy.