I posted also about our Great Atheist humourist Ricky .....Prince Andrew and diCaprio deserved all the pedophiles and Epstein jokes

If the start up income for these actors was anything like the start up income and even established income of Canadian actors, they know about soup kitchens and living on the edge. Yes, they may have forgotten or repressed most of it, but his remarks were, in some senses, ironic and he knew his audience well.

The right message from the right atheist. But, really, does anyone really watch those silly award shows anymore? Hollywood and the entertainment industry generally are the very epitome of hypocrisy and illusion, incestuously connected to government agencies, the military and corporate oligarchs, essentially the propaganda arms of the US Ruling Class. I'm totally over all that crap, the phoney stars and their false progressivism. A few rich asshole stars at the top doing "good deeds", a swag of people below in the industry getting by, and a bunch of corporate oligarchs like robber barrons running the set up. In other words, Capitalism, wrapped up with phoney glamour.

Oh?
I don't consider myself a member of the "public" and I'd be more likely to EAT at a soup kitchen or use their shower than volunteer there!
That said, he made wish I was a cat

He is brilliant and right on point.

I strongly disagree. Actors are people with a podium that are within their rights to express not only their political beliefs but their opinions. As for their elevation within the economy, I am more worried about congress critters getting out and working in a soup kitchen, learning what it's like in the real world, than actors. And the way you can tell that actors are more successful at getting that message across is because the politicians criticize them for doing so.

Conversationally, most actors are more benevolent benefactors than Congressmen as well.
Look at Richard Gere, Kaepernick, Di Caprio, Bon Jovi, etcetera, and the foundations they've set up and non-profits they support. It is a reality on any level, if you don't have time to give, then give what you can. What they can give is their support monetarily and use their podium for those causes.

Seems like he was expressing his opinion.
In this country, everyone gets to do that.
Regardless of their job.

I like Gervais and his style of humor, but celebrities be they actors or football players have the right to voice their opinion either in front of an awards show or in a football stadium.

Okay Ricky has just gone up about 300% in my estimation, like Terry Gilliam the other day, people need to see British humour for what it is sarcastic, piss taking bombastic bubble bursting of the over entitled and self righteous prigs

Another "take": If you have a message, and a pulpit to deliver it from, perhaps you have a Duty to do so?!

I don't mind celebrities using their celebrity to send a message. There are many people in the world who are unaware of issues but pay attention to celebrities. Also celebrities enjoy the freedom of speech as much as anyone else. It's their choice. And I'm glad they have the courage to voice their concerns year after year knowing they will be ridiculed.

Frankly, I don't get why Gervais gets so bothered. It almost seems contrived to get the award show a boost in ratings, but I'm trying not to be that cynical.

Fabulous, just fabulous. Love his irreverence.

Very funny guy. I thought he was a bit hard on poor James Cordon

I love gervais. He is smart and perceptive. I had not heard his speech so i listened to your posted video. I did not hear him make the points you made so i can only respond to your description of them, and based on that i disagree. First of all, in the bit i heard, he was not himself apolitical. Second of all, if everyone there lives in an ivory tower, then does he include himself? Does he work in a soup kitchen? Does he know for sure none of them works in one? If he can use his celebrity to promote ideas -- and i am glad he does -- why can't they?

g