Wanda Sykes Trolls Ricky Gervais at Golden Globes

Presenter Wanda Sykes accepted the Golden Globe award for best comedy special on behalf of Ricky Gervais. Gervais was not present at the ceremony. While accepting the trophy, Sykes thanked 'God and the trans community.' This comment referenced Gervais' status as an atheist and his history of drawing criticism for jokes mocking trans people. The moment was seen as a direct critique of Gervais' controversial material.

The Golden Globes ceremony featured a notable moment involving Wanda Sykes and Ricky Gervais. Gervais won the award for best comedy special but was not in attendance to accept it himself. As the presenter for the category, Sykes took the stage to accept the trophy on his behalf.

During her acceptance, Sykes delivered a specific line that quickly drew attention. She stated she wanted to thank 'God and the trans community.' This phrasing was deliberate, playing on two distinct aspects of Gervais' public persona: his well-known atheism and the controversy surrounding his comedy.

The remark made by Wanda Sykes was not random; it was a direct reference to Ricky Gervais' recent work. Gervais had faced significant backlash for jokes included in his comedy special that were perceived as mocking transgender individuals. The controversy had been a major topic of discussion in entertainment circles.

By thanking 'God,' Sykes highlighted Gervais' atheism. By thanking the 'trans community,' she acknowledged the group targeted by his jokes. The combination of these two elements served as a pointed critique of the comedian's rhetoric. Sykes utilized the acceptance speech to make a statement without directly attacking Gervais, relying on the audience's awareness of the ongoing controversy.

The moment quickly became a focal point of the evening's coverage. Sykes' decision to use an acceptance speech for Gervais to make a political and social statement was widely noted. It transformed a standard awards moment into a commentary on the current cultural landscape regarding comedy and sensitivity.

The interaction underscored the ongoing debate about the boundaries of comedy. While Gervais received the award for his work, Sykes ensured that the conversation surrounding his win also included the criticism his material generated. The incident demonstrated how award shows can serve as platforms for broader social commentary.

The interaction between Wanda Sykes and Ricky Gervais at the Golden Globes highlighted the intersection of comedy, awards, and social issues. By accepting the award on Gervais' behalf, Sykes provided a platform for a critique of his anti-trans jokes. The moment remains a significant example of how public figures use high-profile events to address controversy.