To whom it may concern
Firstly, let me say this. I’m not a fan of Ricky Gervais. I don’t like his stand up nor do I have a liking for his movies. As a matter of fact, his movies have been average at best. So to clarify, I’m not some madcap Riccckkkkkyyyy fan defending his good honour. Personally, I couldn’t give a flying monkeys wings about it.
My reason for writing this digital letter is an observational one. I, like millions of others watched the Golden Globes this past Sunday. And for the first time, I laughed at a Ricky Gervais joke. And then I laughed again and again….and a few more times after that. Then he disappeared off stage for around an hour and I stopped laughing and almost fell asleep. It’s been portrayed in the media that people like Johnny Depp, Bruce Willis and a number of other stars were a bit upset at the lambasting they apparently received at the hands of Mr Gervais. Let’s be honest, The Tourist is shite and Bruce Willis is certainly old enough to be Ashton Kutchers grandfather, let alone father. Downey Jr. did spend time with Betty Ford and so on, it’s common knowledge and there’s plenty of jokes about it and I’m sure he’s made a few about it as well. And to my eyes, said movie stars took it on the chin, smiled, laughed and some even gave as good as they got. And let’s not forget the gay Scientologist quip. How we all laughed. Who could it be? Besides it being potentially obvious, nobody really cares.
And that’s the point. Nobody gives a flying monkeys arse about who’s gay, who’s been in rehab or how lacklustre Tim Allen’s career has been. Seriously we don’t. We’ve all got plenty of other things to be doing. Like worrying about money and stuff. Will there be enough money to feed the kids, put clothes on our back and buy that shit hot Terminator bust from Sideshow collectables. If somebody started crying their eyes out because of one of the Gervais jokes, then, seriously, lock them up…or shoot them.
Even De Niro (Hi Bob!) joked about the Hollywood Foreign Press and how all they do is pose for photos with the stars. BIG DEAL! And yeah, Ricky said he had to help up your president dude off the shitter and put in his teeth. BIG DEAL!. Yeah, we laughed, and even laughed at Bob’s jokes too. And then we forgot about it. Until we were reminded by the usual holier than thou media outlets screaming murder and what not. Again, we don’t really care. Is the HFPA president’s reputation in tatters because of the toilet and teeth gag? Seriously is it? Course it’s not. So why the big fuckin hoo haa? Is Downey Jr. at home trying to comprehend what happened? Nah. I wouldn't think so.
You might think we really care deeply about the movie stars. We don’t really. Sure we might cry when they die, get hurt or make shit movies like The Tourist, but for the best part we want to see them on the big screen, blowing shit up, showing their reproductive bits and engaging us on a number of levels. We’ve got other stuff going on in our lives, as opposed to many thinking we need to be rubbing the ego’s of “stars” and worrying about their reputations. Its not like we’ll never go to see a Johnny Depp movie again, because an English comedian said it one of his movies were rubbish. We’re not as shallow and pretentious as that. Maybe you might know some who are? Watch out for that mirror on the wall.
The old saying “If you can’t laugh at yourself, then who can you laugh at?” comes to mind. I’m sure you’ve heard it? When one laughs at themself, the surrounding groups (or millions in this case) laugh with as opposed to at. It’s only when knickers get in twists that we laugh at.
Anyway, I have to go now, but seriously what's the big deal? Nobody is dead! Reputations (or perceived ones at least) are all still in tact. And to be honest (again) nobody gives a shit. Lighten up…FFS!!!! So, just get back to making movies and posing with movie stars!
Your pal
Vic Barry (a non Ricky Gervais fan)
