Summary
The mischievous legend strikes again with an unforgettable stand-up special that will have you roaring with uncontrollable and uncomfortable laughter.
Want a way to break up the family tensions and fights this year (or make them)? Stick on Armageddon, the world-famous BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning genius mind behind The Office, Extras, and After Life, totally uncontroversial superstar Ricky Gervais!
Gervais takes the stage for a provocative new special, riffing on the end of humanity, political correctness, family weddings, funerals, human stupidity, mollycoddled Westerners, and Artificial Intelligence. He’s taken this set on a world tour and if you weren’t able to see it live, then at least we can rely on the streaming giant Netflix to host it for us.
It’s safe to say Ricky is known for his not-giving-a-fxck attitude and defining comedy through his jokes. He leaves no stone unturned and no one is exempt from his comedic wrath — he doesn’t discriminate. In a tweet/xeet (whatever it’s called now), he writes, “In this show, I talk about sex, death, pedophilia, race, religion, disability, free speech, global warming, the holocaust, and Elton John. If you don’t approve of jokes about any of these things, then please don’t watch. You won’t enjoy it and you’ll get upset.”
And he’s right!
Ricky Gervais: Armageddon review
No fancy trailer to open the show, no fancy entrances, and no fancy clothing, Ricky simply walks out on stage dressed in black shushing his audience and gently commanding the stage. Straight into fascism, and becoming woke, Ricky talks about changing words and how we can use them, such as queer and handicapped.
Gervais has a cheeky grin throughout his set and honestly, I find him so endearing to watch. His politics embedded in his sarcastic stories is brilliant, and he’s speaking what everyone else is thinking but doesn’t dare say. He’s using his platform to poke fun at a world that cannot take a joke, and I love him for it.
He brings up classic jokes about dying children, and when the audience makes uncomfortable sounds he explains what jokes are and what playing a role means. Even though it’s slightly patronizing, the audience is in stitches.
Armageddon is about the end of the world, which brings up his section on death, and his hate for weddings as they are needy and arrogant. He talks about his bloodbath of a funeral (future plans) as people will be after his money/fortune, and how he doesn’t care. It’s taking serious, scary subjects and with his hard-hitting, truth-telling style, we’re able to laugh at ourselves.
For me, his story about his mother and being a child staying away from pedophiles was hilarious. I spat my tea out, not just from his words, but from his accompanying actions too. Then there’s little racist Timmy… again, I was laughing out loud and trying to re-tell the story to my horrified family.
Is Ricky Gervais: Armageddon worth watching?
Overall this set is one of his best, if not his best. I don’t know how he’s going to top himself, but I can’t wait to see what he comes up with — no doubt society will provide the majority of the content. Here’s to you Ricky, thank you for being your true, wonderfully awful self — never change.
From homophobic laws, Elton John, Vikings, global warming, cats, and people taking credit for others, there is something in this set for everyone. Comedy is something to be defended in this modern era, and his comedy is unapologetic, fresh, and frantically funny. Coming out on Christmas day is a genius move — if you’re sick of your family, want to cause some drama, or simply need a break, stick this on and be entertained and enthralled for an hour. It’s the must-see comedy special of the year.
What did you think of Ricky Gervais: Armageddon? Comment below.
