December has been such a refreshing month on Netflix, as pre-woke comedy has made a remarkable comeback. Matt Rife, Dave Chappelle, and now Ricky Gervais have delivered some hammer-blow, top-tier comedy content on the platform this month.
I think it’s safe to say that the world is healing, and woke culture is being cast back into a shadowy little corner of the internet in which it should reside.
While Ricky Gervais’s comedy show doesn’t really dive into the whole mortality angle as much as the title suggests, it is a show that further reinforces what audiences have come to expect from Ricky: sharp wit, a no-f**ks attitude, and an endearing quality that fully engages his audience, pretty much saying what the majority of us are thinking with brash bravery and expert comedic delivery.
Gervais built his reputation on clever observation and biting satire, often targeting ego, hypocrisy, and the absurdities of modern life. In this particular stand-up, all of those are addressed. While it does feel a little similar to his previous shows in some of the topics discussed, there’s also a freshness in the delivery, with Ricky leaning into more provocative jokes in this outing.
Playing ping-pong with the boundaries of free speech is a joy to behold, as Ricky delivers a smart, shock-value show with sharp wit and an admirable doubling down on his own beliefs, laughing in the face of his harshest critics.
Mortality does show slight restraint here and there, but it’s a solid show for anyone wanting to continue their Christmas comedy run on Netflix. Out of the three, I’d certainly say this was the strongest in terms of execution and material.
Comedy is funny once again, and comedians are fighting back, telling the jokes they want to tell without fear of being targeted or cancelled. The mob is dwindling, common sense is finally returning to the world, and if stand-ups continue to double down on their material, just think of what the future could hold. I can’t wait for the day when we get an old-school comedy movie back in cinemas that doesn’t care who it offends—and I’ll be there, popcorn in hand, to witness every glorious second of it.
Hats off to you, Ricky. Thanks for being you. Never change.
Mortality by Ricky Gervais is now available to stream on Netflix.
Our Review
Summary
Cancel Culture meets its loudest heckler in Ricky Gervais as sharp wit, cheeky Chappy schoolboy humour and anti-woke comedy combine forces in this rather splendid, laugh a minute and jaw-droopingly funny stand-up that is a must watch on Netflix this December and beyond.
