Ricky Gervais addresses jokes without apology

Jan 05, 2012 8:05 PM by Sara McGinnis

Posted in Entertainment / Television

Get Ready For Ricky Gervais Round Two!

Ricky Gervais has a funny way of explaining a joke that lets you know there's no bit of remorse from him involved. The comic has opened up about why it's not his problem if you took offense at last year's Golden Globe Awards.

Ricky Gervais, Jane Fallon

Ricky Gervais is gearing up to host the 2012 Golden Globe Awards. Before the jokes get cracking the controversial comedian has a bit of explaining to do. You see, it's obviously not his fault your sense of humor is lacking.

"The simple fact is, offense is taken, not given," Ricky Gervais wrote in a new article for Entertainment Weekly. "It's up to you if you're offended or not. And remember, just because you're offended, it doesn't mean you're right."

From there the 50-year-old, seen here with longtime girlfriend Jane Fallon, offered explanations -- but no apologies -- for some of his most offensive lines from the 2011 Golden Globe Awards broadcast.

Regarding Hugh Hefner, who at the time was set to walk down the aisle with Crystal Harris, Gervais wrote:

"(I said) 'Congratulations to Hugh Hefner, who's getting married at the age of 84 to 24-year-old beauty Crystal Harris. When she was asked why she was marrying him she said, 'Because he lied about his age. He told me he was 94.' Ageist? I don't think so. I was suggesting that maybe the romance was based on something other than love..."

Ricky Gervais' column also addressed his bit about the age of the Sex and the City 2 cast, suggesting the posters for the movie had been so heavily airbrushed Kim Cattrall was barely recognizable. Not mean-spirited at all he insisted -- quite the opposite in fact. He wrote:

"Kim Cattrall believed this to be ageist. But she's wrong. It's the opposite. Why airbrush a poster of middle-aged women to make them look 25...? The joke is about bowing to societal pressure to appeal to shallow audiences."