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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Was Ricky Gervais offensive with Colin Farrell drunkard jibe?

Posted on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 10:26 PM

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Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais is catching flak for his anti-Irish joke aimed at actor Colin Farrell as he prepared to make his entrance at Sunday night's ceremony. We had dozens of calls to our offices all this week complaining.

Gervais, sipping a beer on stage was certainly up for mischief."The great thing about the Golden Globes is that it crushes prejudice and stereotypes." he began. "A particular stereotype is that Irishmen are drunk, hairy hell raisers. Now please welcome Colin Farrell.

Farrell did not look too pleased with the mocking introduction but let's face it he has been called worse, the 'Lusty Leprechaun' among other names.

The British actor had earlier thrown the same accusation at Mel Gibson, whose mother comes from Ireland. 'I like a drink as much as the next man, unless the man in Mel Gibson' he said.
Now some Irish were obviously deeply insulted.Others less so. Gervais has a cutting edge humor not often seen over here.

But in this case I can't really blame him.Just look at Irish actors who have become famous. Richard Harris, Peter O'Toole , Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Colin Farrell in his heyday.
Yes, drunkards all and proud of it too.

Of course Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson would be the exceptions but the Hollywood drunk Irishman is a stereotype --not without reason I'm afraid. Gervais was only stating the obvious.

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rexnine | Jan 21, 2011, 10:17 PM EST

Ricky is , to simply put it: A pompous ass. If you asked Ricky to look-up "humility" in the dictionary and report back what he found; He would reply he saw a "picture of Ricky Gervais". John Stewart is not Only funnier than Ricky...He's a good citizen! Ricky is a clown, And that's all he is. I can work my job Monday through Friday, and be a clown on the weekends. What Does Ricky have to offer society?

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ancavker | Jan 20, 2011, 02:17 PM EST

youngpike: Please do not paint with a broad brush. Just because so many Irish ape and copy the English, does not mean they are one and the same. There are still osme Irish who wish still be simply Irish. The Irish copy the English because they believe them to be better. How come the Irish cannot get over their old inferiority complex after all these years??

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forflann | Nov 03, 2010, 11:33 PM EDT

OMG!!! I remember my Belfast Irishman sayin theres two kind a people in this world, Irish and those that wish they were.

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YoungPike | Jun 16, 2010, 09:05 AM EDT

The Irish-Americans need to lighten up and get a sense of humor!Go to England and you'll find the Irish and the English are one and the same. And as for Peter O'Toole being Irish...he's got an upper-class English accent.

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Realist | Feb 02, 2010, 03:18 AM EST

You really have got one great big chip on your shoulders about the British, haven't you? I suggest you pack in the old victim routine chaps (it's well past its sell-by date anyhow) and grow a sense of humour.

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yetiweasel | Jan 24, 2010, 06:26 AM EST

Just looking and listening to garvals makes me wanna puke.

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ganjadec | Jan 24, 2010, 04:41 AM EST

Who cares what a man who comes from a nation of soccer hooligans and paedophiles thinks?

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ladygirl | Jan 24, 2010, 03:25 AM EST

Get over yourselves!! It was funny! Sometimes the truth hits hard but if you can't laugh at yourself then you are in for a hard life. I loved Ricky Gervais and I am glad he makes no apologies...

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SmartSistahLL | Jan 24, 2010, 02:36 AM EST

Since Gervais isn't Irish, he shouldn't be making comments about the Irish. Let Irish folks make comments about their own cultural group. It wasn't funny. Colin Ferrell deserved a better intro, as did Mel Gibson...those two actors have accomplished so many other things, so their personal struggles shouldn't have been highlighted for comedy. Poor taste. Ricky Gervais sucks!

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rosyposy | Jan 23, 2010, 06:58 AM EST

what is black and blue and floats in the thames? an englishman who told toooooo many irish jokes.

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joycelips | Jan 23, 2010, 12:16 AM EST

Gervais was offensive across the board but, I found him particularly offensive with Colin Farrell. The reason being that Colin has been clean and sober for some time now and the Gervais' remark was not at all funny. I found it to be nasty! Further, I think his so-called "humour" thrown at both Colin Paul McCartney was more than annoying -- I found it to be disgusting!

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ciarrai | Jan 22, 2010, 11:50 PM EST

Gervais was quite funny at times. However, the zinger he threw at Paul McCartney and the one at Irishmen were annoying. I was coming up with lines I might have spoken had I been Colin Farrell. I wish someone had ripped him on McCartney' account. Don't mess with a Beatle. Ever.

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skmcoke | Jan 22, 2010, 03:46 PM EST

My thought is that we need to get a sense of humor! I didn't find Ricky particularly funny, but he was an equal opportunity insulter. He wasn't picking on the Irish - he was just picking on whoever happened to be coming up. Comedy is the last stand against "political correctness" - let's not lose it too!

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shrinnkie246 | Jan 22, 2010, 11:52 AM EST

I've never been impressed with Gervais's jokes. Frankly I've never thought they were very funny and I didn't find them funny last Sunday night at the Golden Globes either. I hope they get someone else for next year's show.

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brennanirish | Jan 22, 2010, 10:58 AM EST

Gervais didn't say "Hollywood" in his comment, he said "Irishman". Much different. Intentional Slurs like that are always supposed to be laughed off by the Irish. Gervais is pathetic so was this article.

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