Ricky Gervais Wins Best Stand-Up Special at Golden Globes Despite Controversy

Ricky Gervais had one more joke to play on the Golden Globes audience: not showing up to collect his award.

The British comedian and incendiary five-time Globes host won the 2024 Golden Globe for best performance in stand-up comedy on television for his Netflix special Armageddon.

“Thank you so much for all your lovely comments & kind words about my Golden Globe win,” Gervais wrote on X. “Best fans in the world.”

The award came despite Gervais generating plenty of controversy for his jokes in the special about terminally ill children.

Earlier, Gervais tweeted that he didn’t think he’d win the category: “I’m nominated for another Golden Globe tonight. This time for my Netflix special #Armageddon. Won’t win, but it’s nice to still be up there in the mix, flying the flag.”

I fucking won! pic.twitter.com/qi7np1J6KQ

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 8, 2024

Armageddon was released Christmas Day and generated headlines for Gervais’ joke about “baldy” cancer patients. The joke sparked a Change.org petition requesting Netflix remove the bit from the show. Gervais called the protesters “hecklers” who are “faux” offended. “These are all jokes, OK? I don’t even use that word in real life, the R-word. ‘You just used it, Rick.’ Yeah, in a joke. That’s not real life, is it? I’m playing a role,” he said in a mock conversation. “‘You sounded pretty convincing.’ Yeah! Because I’m good.”

Gervais won a competitive category that included Trevor Noah (Trevor Noah: Where Was I), Chris Rock (Chris Rock: Selective Outrage), Amy Schumer (Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact), Sarah Silverman (Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love) and Wanda Sykes (Wanda Sykes: I’m an Entertainer).

The stand-up category was just added for this year.

“This is the first time stand-up comedians have been acknowledged at a major awards show,” said Jim Gaffigan when presenting the award. “For 80 years, good-looking people threw a party and now you’ve finally decided to invite the talented people.” (In fairness, the Grammys have long presented an award for best comedy album).

Here’s a complete list of 2024 Golden Globes nominees and winners.