'What happened to hard-hitting truth-teller comedians?’ | Graham Linehan on the rise of woke comedy

[@etzared8908]

In 30 years nobody will have heard of, let alone be watching, Acaster, but people will still be enjoying Black Books and Father Ted in the same way my dad still watches Dad's Army in his 90s.

[@joanr3189]

And The IT Crowd!

[@clemfandango619]

​@@joanr3189absabloodylutely.

[@andrewjohnston2850]

count arthur strong not so much

[@pincermovement72]

If we carry on down this road those shows will be banned .

[@I_Don_t_want_a_handle]

Not if they have been removed from all streaming services and possession of a copy is deemed illegal, they won't. Watch this space.

[@barriewilliams4526]

Ricky Gervais, absolute legend!

[@marianac715]

One of the very few comedians who really make me laugh.

[@RodChampers]

He loved vaccines and lockdowns

[@pikehead1]

Amen

[@frankgradus9474]

By the by, You might want to see an 18-minute film, it's available free on the Net: "Такое настроение, адажио Баха и небольшой фрагмент из жизни девушки Лены"

[@steveb951]

Used to be, Office, Extras were amazing and so is afterlife. His standup though has gone down hill and has become very predictable.

[@missykins3193]

‘Regime comedy’ is a brilliant term. The anti woke comedy is funnier.

[@purplemonkey649]

Woke comedy is a oxymoron

[@staninjapan07]

I like that. Regine Comedy. Heil Ricky!

[@GH-qp6dn]

Frankie Boyle and Kevin Bridges are two excellent examples of “regime comedy” in Scotland.

[@MIKE-TYTHON]

@@GH-qp6dnwhat do you mean by that? Not trying to be offensive just actually interested?

[@pablolowenstein1371]

The young woke are 'regime groupies'...losers.

[@adriansolomon6805]

Graham seems to be getting even more popular these days...that pleases me❤

[@Robin838]

And relaxed.

[@ChrisInTheNorth]

Linehan has become a bigot whose wife left him because his obsessive hate

[@Josh-sj9ig]

And cries less in interviews...

[@MrJevman]

If Gervais wasn’t causing “controversy” Acaster would have nobody to grift off.

[@lorree1]

And if Gervais wasn't causing controversy not that many would be watching him as his jokes weren't that funny.

[@MrJevman]

@@lorree1 He’s only “controversial” to people who want to be offended, dude.

[@deanlowdon8381]

⁠@@lorree1Spot on. He knows he doesn’t need to bother crafting a comedic routine because he can just say ‘controversial’ things and his audience will lap it up.

[@ShallowDepression]

​@@deanlowdon8381Or, he's a funny guy telling funny jokes 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@lorree1]

@@deanlowdon8381 That's exactly how it felt. It was like, if I talk about this it'll get a rise, rather than it actually being funny. Don't get me wrong, some of it was funny but a lot of it wasn't.

[@avv397]

The late very missed comedian Sean Lock provided a world-class report to a heckler in the balcony yelling "You're not funny". Sean flashed back: "So all these people down her laughing, that's just coincidence, is it?"

[@primeryai]

Sean Lock was so effing brilliant ❤

[@nuthatch1899]

Graham Linehan is willing to engage in discussion which many are unwilling to do.

[@mgcarmkm4520]

And he paid a heavy price. His career was ruined while his so-called colleagues knifed him in the back. It's a conspiracy of silence.

[@oopster74]

No, he's simply an ignorant bigot. Don't believe me? Watch the episode of The IT Crowd with the trans character in it.

[@PeterSmith-bj4ml]

​@@mgcarmkm4520Silence of the Lambs.

[@TheEducator89]

The best thing about him here is that he constantly calls James Acaster James McAster. Shows how irrelevant Acaster is in the comedian community.

[@colinchristie8642]

😆 This isn’t a discussion.

[@Sam-gw5pl]

James Acaster is like a petulant child who’s eaten too many skittles and found a dress up box and starts showing off to the adults.

[@jimmythemadostrich8947]

And Ricky Gervais is still doing w*nking material.

[@lee4171]

Perfect description.

[@markgt3492]

100%🫡

[@mesolithicman164]

Either that or he's the worst kind of cynical careerist. Saddam Hussein's court jester.

[@I_Don_t_want_a_handle]

@@mesolithicman164 neither is exclusive of the other. He's both.

[@Thirdfish]

Acaster crying in his beer that Ricky is No 1 on Netflix.

[@thebatman4279]

Crying into his soy latte more like.

[@steveb951]

@@thebatman4279so people who vote Tory can’t enjoy Soya milk and there’s no recorded case of lactose intolerance if you area right wing.

[@Warp75]

George Carlin was right on the money he saw everything for what it really is

[@skemsen]

“Sit back and enjoy the freak show” Yeah, he was a sage in that regard 😅

[@simonford7806]

one of the best

[@cupidstunts.stcmedia.6618]

He was a genius of comedy. r.i.p George 🙏👍

[@Oflaherty86]

Carlin was one of the greats, but he wouldn't of wasted time with transfer or woke issues. He was too busy telling people how they were really being funked.

[@Warp75]

@@Oflaherty86 Woke is part of it he would have ripped the shit out of it & the yanks invented it.

[@dougieladd]

LOVE RICKY GERVAIS! He is the bravest and the most honest and truth telling comedian alive! He's a National Treasure that should be protected at all times!!

[@rjim1]

I couldn't agree with you more, he's a genuine legend and I really hope he continues on for years to come because we have nobody even close to his genius or bravery!

[@audie-cashstack-uk4881]

His ok but his humour is one dimensional each joke scene charecter follows the exact same programme it’s been like that since the office it’s the same joke re told 10000 x a bit like watching deadpool

[@ponynuts101]

@@audie-cashstack-uk4881 it’s his style 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@bubble6853]

Love Rickey personaly if you don't like it don't listen I don't like spaghetti so I don't eat it . Quite simple

[@caff55]

@@audie-cashstack-uk4881 You could make that accusation against the whole of the woke comedy scene!

[@patavinity1262]

The irony is that the 'trans community' has indeed been long overdue a challenge.

[@paulinegauthier1867]

😂

[@misterjames4206]

I challenge them to prove more than 2 genders

[@stuyrides5144]

You can see now why james acaster is not funny. And ricky gervais is.

[@Thirdfish]

Yep!

[@ots1634]

Ricky used to be good in the early 2000s and he wasn’t political then

[@mrchico2621]

I hadn't even heard of James Acaster before watching this video

[@orsors2129]

My mother's funnier than him and she's been dead 10 years.

[@deanlowdon8381]

Gervais used to be funny, but now he’s made his millions he’s just become lazy and his last few stand-up specials weren’t even remotely funny.

[@StellaKnights]

half a million trans people in the uk dont talk rubbish that would be 1 in 134 people , many young people are acting trans or bi or whatever gets them attention , genuine trans people is a tiny tiny amount and most will regret what they did in their teens and twenties to try and fit in or feel special

[@craigmacdonald7764]

Graham one of the greatest comedy writers ever

[@yesbwana]

...who went on a witch hunt against a comedian who faced prison time for teaching his pet pug dog to seig heil.

[@titteryenot4524]

@@yesbwana He did. But tbf, he apologised and admitted he was wrong.

[@yesbwana]

@@titteryenot4524 after the woke turned on him.

[@titteryenot4524]

@@yesbwana Huh? He still publicly apologised. Not many do that these days. Moreover, he did it sincerely. I disavow your woke suggestion.

[@yesbwana]

@@titteryenot4524 lol. disavow all you like. he still only apologised after the woke crowd labeled him a 'terf'. that's just reality. how brave of him to cling on to credibility with people who actually support free speech.

[@headpeace1018]

Boyle and Acaster either don't understand the issues around the Trans debate or they're cowards.

[@lavienestpasunlongfleuvetr2559]

I think it's a bit of both - they're wilfully ignorant about the subject.

[@oliverbrown8038]

hypocrites

[@purplehaze8557]

Acaster is just an unfunny dumbo. Boyle is a colossal hypocrite.

[@paulbromley6687]

Can I answer this one….

[@Delboy591]

Cowardly shills

[@sznwlc_9472]

If James Acaster's a comedian, then I'm the Hubble Telescope.

[@rafezetter8003]

Not your taste? So what? I think a great deal of celebrities and similar are overrated pricks - but that's just my opinion, doesn't make them "not" what they are - just not to my taste. You see how that works? No ofc you're obviously a woke liberal, who doesn't accept different OPINIONS.

[@lilacfloyd]

Looking at (comedian) stars. :)

[@Harker777]

James Webb - Get with the times

[@lilacfloyd]

@@Harker777 James Acaster telescope?

[@nomoresunforever3695]

He's a comedian. You just don't like his jokes.

[@Thegeordiemonkey]

Acaster is a knob.

[@Delboy591]

Agreed. Total nob

[@daisyjanepink1833]

Graham Lineman is an awesome hero

[@Reality6789]

He is also an awakened leftie

[@thetransagender2866]

A Cadburys hero is the only hero this 🔔 end is

[@johngreenhorn8853]

The hero tried to get Count Dankula cancelled,Karma is a be itch.

[@sexycenturion7074]

i member when he wanted a man arrested who made a joke about a dog doing a salute. im glad hes seen some reason. dont trust him though.

[@johngreenhorn8853]

@sexycenturion7074 Aye it was Count Dankula,anyone with any sense knew it was a joke.

[@Tess_Tickal]

Linehan is a feckin' genius.

[@Dekoherence-ii8pw]

FECK!!

[@simonchapman7146]

James Acaster's stand-up routine is about as funny as Arthur Fleck's in the Joker. Don't think there's any danger of him knocking Gervais off the Netflix top spot any time soon.

[@thebatman4279]

People used to laugh when James said he wanted to be a comedian. They're not laughing now.

[@mattpinnington4778]

Ricky Gervais = Legend.

[@pincermovement72]

Graham was a darling of the left but when he was attacked he for a long time looked like a rabbit in the headlights. He couldn’t compute the vitriol he suffered and his non personing , no longer invited to the party’s and self aggrandising events really hit him hard . Being a massive Father Ted fan I’m so glad he is finally getting it and hitting back against these comedy destroyers.

[@danieltaylor1784]

I think when he was a darling of the left, the left was still a compelling side of the conversation. Been a wild fucking decade

[@brightonduder]

Linehan was a very aggressive regime man on twitter himself a few yrs ago. Like many left leaning dissidents - he’s been welcomed into the fold by the rest of us. I’m glad he’s on our side now - I’ve always loved father ted and the IT crowd

[@johnhopkinson4054]

The irony is Gervais never responds or has anything to say about inferior comedians taking shots at him because he knows his standing and that they are beneath him.

[@ayeright320]

They just know it's a way to get press coverage like people trying to show up on JK Rowling's Twitter feed. It's pathetic really

[@cj4857]

He probably doesn't even care lol

[@Summer21.]

Acaster is such a sad, petulant, childish arsehole saying things like that on Twitter.

[@andrewpatterson5349]

The difference between james acaster and Ricky' gervais.....Ricky gervais is funny, educated and talented! James Acaster is like watching a 2 year old having a tantrum, and we all know how funny that is don't we? How the hell he gets work just beats the hell out of me. I've even seen him on 8 out of ten cats and thought " wtf were you thinking of Jimmy" !!!

[@Ligerpride]

Acaster speaks about trans issues like they are some sort of ancient story of woe and hardship. They've been an active talking point for all of about 10 years and it still doesnt make it legitimate.

[@PeterSmith-bj4ml]

Sounds a bit like Oscar. 'Mr. Henry James writes fiction as if it were a painful duty'. Ditto some comedians.

[@deanlowdon8381]

They’ve only become an active talking point in the last 10 years because our politicians and media have run out of other groups to scapegoat for all the problems facing society.

[@Ligerpride]

@@deanlowdon8381 no, it's a deliberately created issue out of nothing. It wasn't a thing 20 years ago bar an extremely minor amount of people.

[@deanlowdon8381]

@@Ligerpride All I can say is that I hear a lot more people moaning about trans people and trans issues than I ever actually hear from trans people. Now that it’s no longer socially acceptable to be racist or homophobic, I guess all the boring bigots needed a new group to spend their days blaming for all the problems in their pathetic lives…

[@SmogSmog-kw7ss]

None of us abroad know who James Acaster is.

[@Chewligan1]

Thank god for brilliant writers like Graham to trash this woke world we are forced to endure.

[@artspooner]

Woke and anti-woke.

[@lindastone6868]

Treating them like we treat all the others with delusions, and not affirming their delusions would be a good start!

[@paradox7358]

Without risking offence, you cannot have comedy.

[@andyscott6315]

Agreed

[@notgarybrown]

And James Acaster triggered GBNews so job done I guess.

[@Justthegoodstuff-gh2xx]

@@notgarybrown How are they "triggered"?

[@TheCrappyRobot]

​@@notgarybrown Stop projecting.

[@andyscott6315]

@@notgarybrown is not liking something being triggered?

[@jokulsnow9903]

Comedians are to free speech as the canary was to the coalminers. It is perhaps the most important modern form of art.

[@HonestBottom]

Good comparison sir or madam

[@lilacfloyd]

@@HonestBottom "sir or madam"? Non-binary. :D

[@HonestBottom]

@@lilacfloyd Those were the only options I was offering, sir or madam 😂👍

[@helendancelot]

Excellent comparison

[@mattmatt4000]

@@HonestBottomjust address them as “person”. It’s the only non offensive way 🙂

[@andrewross1809]

Well said Mr Linehan

[@partalanpartridge1655]

There are comedians I do like, and those I don't. I watch the ones I like, and don't watch the ones I don't like. It's pretty straightforward.

[@mysportsroundup5387]

If YoU dOnT LiKe It DoNt WaTcH It. Has always been a dumb take. How would I know if I don’t watch? You are allowed to dislike things and form opinions on why and challenge people who do it’s called a debate. People can’t discuss anymore though, they are just to sensitive about their opinions and take everything personally. I like and dislike a lot of Ricky’s work. The office, Extras, Ricky gervais show. His XFM radio shows were all hilarious and I have seen all many times. Derek & Afterlife are pretty bad in all aspects and his recent stand ups have been lazy, boring and many other things apart from engaging, original and most importantly comedic.

[@ratatat9790]

Challenging concept

[@Steph8244]

Feel lucky to have grown up in the 70s and 80s. Dick Emery, Ronnie Barker, Billy Connely, Tommy Cooper, Harry Enfield, Benny Hill, Ken Dodd. The good old days! ❤🇬🇧

[@vinny3266]

💯 Not forgetting Dave Allen 😘

[@trainzplay9069]

So so True ,Great was the days you either went out to the working mens club for a pint and a laugh or stayed in with true comedy like the wheeltappers and shunters club, Larry Grayson generation game or even terry wogan taking the mick on the eurovision song contest

[@trainzplay9069]

@@vinny3266 And may your god go with you ... goodnight

[@paulbromley6687]

You must accept the part line or suffer the consequences, we have diversity now in comedy and you must listen and laugh at Nish Kumar, Rosie wotsit, erm those others on Apollo etc who tick all the right boxes but no one watches because they couldn’t be funny if their lives depended upon it.

[@ValTwineDeaner]

I absolutely agree, I loved the comedians back then. Especially Dave Allen and Tommy Cooper. I'm 64, so I grew up in the 60's. I loved "On The Buses", "Till Death US Do Part", "Love Thy Neighbour", "Rising Damp" etc. And you know what the best part of those were - black people ALWAYS got the better of white people, it was hilarious. Us Brits used to make fun of ourselves, it was our unique humour.

[@paulmoore120]

When did this country go mad ?

[@ashleywebb2736]

There's the rub

[@NewWorldStoner]

No coincidence it was around the time Tiktok got traction

[@ashleywebb2736]

@catscan2022 good point. We all cheered on but looking back it unleashed made comedy political .

[@christinewilkinson2424]

Ricky Gervais is brilliant and shows things up for what they are at the moment. I'm a disabled Christian and he has taken the pee out of us mercilessly but I think it's great and funny. I've laughed so hard watching his live shows I've found it hard to breath at times. He does go very close to the edge at times, ive winced at some jokes, but no subject is off limits to him and that's how comedy should be isnt it? Keep making us laugh Ricky ❤

[@madeinireland2383]

I'm sure Ricky is losing sleep with the thought of what's his name having a pop at him .

[@Tess_Tickal]

Who?

[@wolverine343534]

The Ricky Gervais special is absolutely brilliant. It’s quite simple, if you don’t like a comedian, don’t watch them! As RG keeps telling folk, it’s a ‘JOKE’. If you can’t handle jokes, don’t watch standup comedy! His jokes are just that, jokes! I never really liked Chubby Brown, so I never watched his standup. If you don’t like a comedian (or are anti-comedy which seems like it is a thing these days), don’t watch them.

[@KevPage-Witkicker]

Aye... but even Chubby Brown showed a different side to himself by appearing in League Of Gentlemen. His act is an act. Acaster's act is his selective personality.

[@oliverbrown8038]

Not my words 'James Acaster the guy who pretends to be autistic', so true, he hasn't much left after that.

[@TaraAmrit]

Disability appropriation for cheap laughs is as low as it gets.

[@oliverbrown8038]

there is lower@@TaraAmrit

[@oliverbrown8038]

we are all hopelessly floored and disabled in one way or another. My point was that Acaster needs to get off his woke high hoarse@@TaraAmrit

[@DC3Refom]

i have autistic , dyspraxia , add and I dont give a shit either way , also , fuck , woke bollox and also the hyper emotional , delusional leftwards.

[@TayWoode]

Does he really claim that? I’d just say he’s a little brat who screams a lot

[@valerielow6684]

He goes viral when he attacks somebody who is actually funny, unlike him.

[@captainbanana1831]

Leave the kids alone

[@lavienestpasunlongfleuvetr2559]

And keep men out of women's spaces.

[@geoffroberts1131]

We can tell you're on the ball by your brilliant analysis and hilarious name😂

[@martinhambleton5076]

Ricky is a comedian thats funny. Well done Ricky! Other comedians please take note. We actually laugh at Ricky.

[@sratus]

He's a poor stand-up.

[@SharonY515]

Loved Ricky Gervais! His Netflix show is so funny.

[@johnnyNobCheese]

I'd never heard of James Acaster til you guys gave him airtime

[@thomasanders1314]

An English Lesson with Ricky and Karl Pilkington is legendary.:))

[@HonestBottom]

Feckin hilarious mate 👍😂

[@rafezetter8003]

Woke - and they became cowards.

[@richalderson6069]

I just read Graham's book Tough Crowd, it's was brilliant, funny and heartbreaking as well, thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@nbridge2070]

Just purchased it myself, will begin reading this week.

[@Jassa_9393]

Great point by the last commentator that buying into this punching up and down routine is accepting progressive lingo, which we should not.

[@awm1527]

We will see (well hear about it) all of these left wing "comedians" like Acaster and Nish taking the pee out of Starmer and the Labour party when they get in next year, that will then be "punching up" as they put it as it will be that Government running the country, and they won't have a pop at the nasty Tories as I'm guessing that will be punching down.... Let's see where that goes...

[@BAztid]

A hell of a lot of people are laughing with Gervais. Can they all really be terrible people?

[@BAztid]

@catscan2022 Exactly. Same across the pond with all the folk who voted Trump in. That's a crazy number of "bad people"...

[@BK10011]

This for me is an extremely easy debate to resolve James Acaster & Frankie Boyle = Not Funny, lazy, tired virtue signalling routines… Ricky Gervais = hilariously funny, honest, challenging & speaks for many…..

[@475fire]

That guy hasn't got anything on Ricky. Absolutely nothing! Ricky is funny!

[@AntonSmyth-od6rc]

How many times can they say these things. On stage, to applause, being paid. And still claim they are being silenced? It's realllly boring to everyday working people who have to button up and do as told at work.

[@DarrenAndOzzy]

Acaseter is the establishment, he's an alphabet person and as such, is protected on all levels, by the establishment... If he was anti establishment, he would be attacked just like Gervais

[@pipinfresh]

I'm ashamed to say James Acaster comes from my home town. We are around the same age and I hung out with him a few times, we had similar friend groups. I remember seeing him doing shoe at a local music festival, I think it was one of his first, I didn't think he was very funny, my opinion hasn't changed much.

[@titteryenot4524]

_I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately._ (George Carlin)

[@AndyML3883]

So when a comedian is exclaiming their feelings about a specific matter, please ask them not to use the safety net of saying " it's just a joke" when in reality they are telling us their position on a topic. Bernard Manning told racist jokes. When asked by Mrs Merton if he was a racist, he said yes. Ricky Gervais doesn't tell jokes. He tells us how he sees the world. If someone takes offence, only then do they say "it's just a joke"

[@ayeright320]

@@AndyML3883 How do you know? What you're seeing is an act unless you know them personally. I don't believe Bernard Manning was racist particularly it's just a fashionable thing to trot out.

[@titteryenot4524]

@@AndyML3883 You have no right not to be offended.

[@AndyML3883]

@@ayeright320 He admitted it when asked on the Mrs Merton show.

[@AndyML3883]

@@titteryenot4524 I couldn't give a fuck either way but I hate it when people hide behind their true feelings by saying it's a joke. Bullies do that.

[@escapetheratracenow9883]

"In a democracy, it is necessary for people to learn to endure having their sentiments outraged - Bertrand Russell "

[@StellaKnights]

great comedians say the stuff we are all thinking , its relatable and when they are really great it does cross the line a bit

[@kmaddison5045]

I love Ricky Gervais!

[@jab-gn3sw]

Calling him a comedian is the JOKE FFS

[@Joe-d4s4x]

Have you even seen any of his stuff

[@ShallowDepression]

​@@Joe-d4s4xPanel show comedian zzz

[@Rabbiting0n]

Everyone is failing to mention that the James Acaster clip is years old, so unless he is able to see into the future, someone else has just dredged up an old clip and the media are now deliberately failing to mention that this is old material as it suits the agenda.

[@thegoblinking66]

There is nothing worse than a comedian that has been told they are not funny. They tend to end up on GB 'News' and just slag every other comedian off with tears in their eyes and jealousy in their voices. All I hear when these two speak is, 'why do you love this other comedian and not me!'

[@geeman4041]

I think they were saying that they love Ricky and his act . . Not jealous just admiration 😅

[@mick8473]

I've never met a trans person and I've travelled around the UK for decades. So why are they so prominent ?

[@AntonSmyth-od6rc]

Because people like Ricky endlessly waffle on and on about them

[@gearupgifts]

Roy Chubby Brown. A stand up comedian vilified for his sexist, racist jokes. Has been touring for over 50 years and has a tour lined up for 2024. He's not my cup of tea but I have absolute respect for this man who just kept on touring - even through the hardest of times and for him it was the 1980's and 1990's. He just kept touring. I won't be going to see him but lots of people will and I wish him a successful 2024!

[@I_Don_t_want_a_handle]

I shall not, as I cannot stand the man. Nevertheless, I hope those who do go to see him have a nice time.

[@colinu9209]

Acaster is not anti establishment, he is anti comedy ! Someone should tell him that you don’t have to shout to be funny . It’s tiresome and does not make up for the lack of comedic material .

[@richardswallow1967]

Acaster is is as funny as having piles……

[@grandmiserthe3rd434]

If you can make Gen Z laugh ...you can plait sawdust .

[@RickRubinesque]

It's a McCaster disaster.

[@ControlVee]

Good to see Diane Spencer on the panel.

[@captainbanana1831]

I am so happy with the Dunder Mifflin sweater I bought dot I love Ricky Gervais… Love… Any truth teller would probably be on the same list

[@Nick-vl7df]

The best thing about Ricky Gervais is he's already made it. He's probably got more money than he could spend. And doesn't give a flying fuck what people say.

[@TAL20013]

Gervais said it best "i just dont care"

[@pikehead1]

I'm left wing always have been , but I hate this woke agenda. As for what has happened to Graham its disgusting, the bloke just said things that 99 % of the general public would agree with. Anyhow happy new year comrades.

[@GrandDuchessAniya]

There's nothing worse than a comedian who has sold himself or herself out.

[@dungareesareforfools]

The concept of woke comedy is like the concept of being cool by handing in all your homework on time.

[@momoalami3143]

Charlie Chaplin used to make people laugh without saying a word. So called comedians nowadays talk so much and they are not even funny. They just lowed clowns

[@funkybuddhaInit]

Feels like most people here didn't watch the Acaster special and didn't get the point he was making. After that clip he quips "Fuck off! Leave Ricky alone!" Guys it's a joke, It was hilarious. Ricky isn't untouchable. You have to admit that edgy comedians who keep going on about being censored while literally saying it on the biggest stages and reaching huge audiences is rather silly. That is what Acaster was highlighting. James isn't the only one who has noticed this. He used Ricky to highlight that point. It's unfair to assume he only did it to get viral. Lots of clips of his show circulated online when it released. Also isn't this a bit late? it came out in early 2021.

[@RichardHorrocks]

It's the THREAT of censorship that we protest. Actual censorship starts with the threat. And that threat is the antithesis of our values. Be honest... there are A LOT of people who would censor Ricky if they had the power to do so.

[@petersampson4635]

That guy was just screaming angry. And that is never funny. No matter how you say it.

[@nixonagnewreviews7206]

I like how he keeps calling him "McCaster" instead of Acaster lol. I bet James is crying into his morning Shreddies after having been subjected to such microaggressions all night by Mr Linehan lol

[@Bobmudu35UK]

I love it that the legendary comedy writer Graham kept getting Acasters name wrong.

[@quaid667]

I really want to say the arts have been tossed away over stupid shite and I really like Leo's shirt.

[@yaaraamozig4862]

Very interesting! Thank you

[@saskew8573]

I find both sides of this discussion funny, Acaster can be funny, so can Gervais, and both can be making jokes from the opposite angle. The main thing is that they are funny. Every comedian will make a choice o the subjects they want to make jokes around, and this is personal to them, and sometimes driven by other pressures (which channel they broadcast on), Gervais does not joke about Politics or Politicians in particular.

[@aindriubradleymarshall6226]

True Freedom petrifes most.

[@hyruleansans473]

If only Graham had stood up and backed Count Dankula when he was dragged to court for his pug joke

[@ayeright320]

He did, apologised and they're all good now

[@Tess_Tickal]

He apologised, move on, don't turn left

[@ticketyboo2456]

Who is Count Dukula?

[@johncook8141]

Absolutely Love the Totally Brilliant Ricky Gervais!!!!!!

[@hai56709]

Ricky Gervais, Comedy God.

[@lee84]

When Lineham talks you listen, that’s the respect he deserves

[@HonestBottom]

Im not a fan of Linehan, i bloody LOVE Gervais. He's a human being.

[@Tess_Tickal]

Say what now? Father Ted????????

[@HonestBottom]

@@Tess_Tickal Didn't like it man(/woman), I make no apologies other than apologising that I didn't like what loads of other people liked 🤷‍♂️ I'm dumb, I like stuff like Bottom lol

[@hazelnut975]

@@HonestBottom That’s ok I thought Bottom was rubbish but lots of people loved it. We’re grown ups and appreciate the variety for comedy tastes. 👍

[@HonestBottom]

@@hazelnut975 Oh definitely, I'm not saying Linehan is bad, just saying he's not to my taste, just like with music etc :)

[@helendancelot]

​@@HonestBottombottom was not for me

[@SmashTehGangs]

I'm a huge fan of Linehan's work. And on this, he is spot on.

[@kenfalloon3186]

When woke 'comedy' is the only thing alloŵed, anti woke comedy is absolutely necessary Graham

[@SwagDeez]

It’s great that Graham eventually apologised to him and all, but the fact that a man who tried to kick Dankula’s career to the curb over an offensive joke is now one of the main British figureheads of the comedy “cancel culture bad” crowd is laughable. Dude changed his mind eventually, but only when it affected him; until that point he was happily on the bandwagon. It’s easy to preach about how hot fire is after you’ve been burned.

[@Handles_are_garbage]

Yep. He's got no morals at all. He's only trying to build bridges because he's realised he's taken a flame thrower to to all the other ones in his life.

[@cnrspiller3549]

James Acaster is one of my favourite comedians and that from a comedy fan who is so hardline trans-sceptic that I will only use preferred pronouns if you genuinely fool me (ie Ladyboys of Bangkok level - none of this gynophile, Eddie Izzard bs). I even laughed at this Ricky Gervais routine; fair play ... make a name for yourself Acaster, life is short and our attention span is shorter still! But I also love RG's comedy - he is literally the jester pointing his fool's zany at the king and saying "you're fat!" The king HAS to laugh or he is revealed as a tyrant. Comedy of this sort is so important. As for strange, cultural Marxist notions of punching up or punching down; fu€# it - just keep punching stupid. Comedy is WAY too important for such ideological nonsense. Remember, when the King is fat and the peasants are all starving, someone needs to point it out.

[@redshift1058]

Ricky Gervais is hilarious, James Acaster is hilarious. Does James's bit reflect his true feelings about Ricky? Maybe, maybe not, but his delivery was excellent and made me laugh despite the fact I completely agree with Ricky. Isn't that just a sign of talented comedian and end of discussion? If you want people to be able to joke about stuff freely, you have to let it cut both ways. Neither of them are running for government so stop debating their act as if it's a party political broadcast. Ricky often jokes about kids having cancer, you don't for one second think that's something he is in support of so stop treating other parts of his act that way. It's comedy leave it alone.

[@SocialJusticeWorrier]

Gervais is funny, but he does push the climate grift for them.

[@lb7136]

yes, and he promoted the experimental treatments during the recent 'health emergency'. He's funny but v much regime comedy imo

[@OnlyAbuseMeLiver]

Yeah he pushes medical agendas too. If they're mainstream they're controlled, the idea that those two comedians are in opposition is an illusion.

[@gb7414]

I totally agree,frankie Boyle and Co have been such a let down during all this bs

[@caribstu]

Most hard hitting comedians can't get gigs. Besides the Barn Yard, and Unleashed, few venues book them, too scared of the problems violent woke mobs can cause. As for the token unhinged at @6:50 mins, there's NO SUCH THlNG AS TRANS KlDS.

[@johng1634]

The kids who are "trans" today would have been anorexic or bulimic ten or twenty years ago. The difference is that then they were treated and helped; now they are encouraged.

[@ph8077]

I hate woke ideology but I still think that Stewart Lee, Russell Howard, Frankie Boyle & James Acaster et al are all good comedians even though I don't agree with their politics to put it mildly ....however, I will draw the line at Nish Kumar, obviously!

[@titteryenot4524]

Agreed. I consider myself a centre-left liberal but can’t stand woke. Lee? A brilliant comedian. Boyle? A semi-decent comedian but essentially Jerry Sadowitz-lite. Howard? Mildly amusing but too obviously ‘right on’. Acaster is an interesting case as he’s not funny here, but I’ve seen him do completely apolitical routines that had me belly-laughing. Too many people go into these things thinking about where a given comedian stands politically, and if they are at a different point in the spectrum feel they can’t laugh. Let us not forget that Ricky Gervais (admired by so many GB News punters in here) voted for Jeremy Corbyn.

[@ste2442]

@@titteryenot4524lots of Corbyn voters comment on here , overwhelmingly agreeing with many of the posts .

[@johnthompson6059]

What happens to old fashioned daft jokes ?

[@Steinbecker]

Leo should Ave got Kate smurthwaite on with Graham there, it would have been nice to see her get Angry with him. 😂