Gervais & Netflix: Ricky Gervais vs. the Trans Mob

At some point, every rock band that continues to tour becomes an oldies act. There’s always a new album to promote, but there isn’t always a new album worth listening to. Bands learn that people want to hear the hits.

Ricky Gervais is still funny, but at times in his new Netflix special SuperNature, I had the sense that I was listening to the Eagles rolling out “Lyin’ Eyes” one more time. Did you know that Gervais is an atheist? Well, let him blow your minds with this thought: He doesn’t believe in anything supernatural. He doesn’t mind if someone sends prayers his way should he get cancer, but he’s going to stick with the chemotherapy anyway, thanks very much. Prayers and chemotherapy are fine, because they yield the same result as just chemotherapy. Moreover, he thinks empirically measured and scientifically observed nature is really super. Super. Nature. Get it? Gervais even keeps the title logo of the show projected on a podium to his left, which is a bit cringey. Comics are supposed to be cool. Logos are not cool.

About the Author

Kyle Smith

Kyle Smith is the film critic for the Wall Street Journal.

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At some point, every rock band that continues to tour becomes an oldies act. There’s always a new album to promote, but there isn’t always a new album worth listening to. Bands learn that people want to hear the hits.

Ricky Gervais is still funny, but at times in his new Netflix special SuperNature, I had the sense that I was listening to the Eagles rolling out “Lyin’ Eyes” one more time. Did you know that Gervais is an atheist? Well, let him blow your minds with this thought: He doesn’t believe in anything supernatural. He doesn’t mind if someone sends prayers his way should he get cancer, but he’s going to stick with the chemotherapy anyway, thanks very much. Prayers and chemotherapy are fine, because they yield the same result as just chemotherapy. Moreover, he thinks empirically measured and scientifically observed nature is really super. Super. Nature. Get it? Gervais even keeps the title logo of the show projected on a podium to his left, which is a bit cringey. Comics are supposed to be cool. Logos are not cool.