Ricky Gervais isn’t a fan of the new culture of political correctness, but he says it’s does have an upside for him: It’ll make his new film funnier.
The British comedian, promoting David Brent: Life on the Road, which revives the iconic character from NBC’s hit comedy series The Office, said his new movie’s movie’s middle-management buffoon Brent has become more likable because of society’s increased sensitivities.
Gervais told the Sydney Morning Herald: “People in ordinary jobs get fired for tweets nowadays or for saying something that someone didn’t like.
“There is this rush to take offense and a desire for punishment. People want you to say you are sorry and they want their complaint to be heard.”
Gervais added of his David Brent movie, which will be released in the U.S. later this year: “It is more funny and cringeworthy because he is more behind the times in political correctness because it is much more ruthless now…he is the underdog; he is 55, in a room full of quite mean alpha males, and we sort of feel sorry for him.
“He is more us now; we identify with him.”
Gervais has frequently skirted the line when it comes to political correctness, most notably making jokes about Caitlyn Jenner when presenting the Golden Globes last January. He has also been criticized by disability groups for his repeated use of the word “mong” on his Twitter feed (although he has subsequently stopped using the term on social media).
