January 24th, 2011
11:26 AM ET
Judd Apatow takes aim at Ricky GervaisA week after Ricky Gervais unleashed a stream of controversial jokes while hosting the Golden Globes, filmmaker Judd Apatow is biting back at the comedian. “What did you think of Ricky Gervais? I didn’t like him. I thought he was mean,” the "40-Year-Old Virgin" director said while hosting the Producers Guild Awards this weekend. Gervais’ quips left many questioning if he'd gone too far, and Apatow took his hosting gig as an opportunity to defend the targets of the Brit's punchlines.
“He had that joke about the guy on 'Lost,'" Apatow said. "He said he ate everybody else. Let’s be honest, Ricky Gervais just lost weight. Even now he’s four pounds away from not being allowed to do a joke like that. Did he lose weight just to make fat jokes? You think that’s how mean he is?" Apatow also came to the rescue of Cher, Hugh Hefner, Tom Cruise and Tim Allen. Gervais joked as he introduced Tom Hanks and Allen, “What can I say about our next two presenters? The first is an actor, producer, writer and director whose movies have grossed over $3.5 billion at the box office. He’s won two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes for his powerful and varied performances starring in such films ‘Philadelphia,’ ‘Forrest Gump,’ ‘Castaway,’ ‘Apollo 13’ and ‘Saving Private Ryan.’ The other is Tim Allen.” But, Apatow told his audience Sunday, "Who looks good standing next to Tom Hanks? We all look like a piece of [expletive] standing next to Tom Hanks!" Apatow went on, "Tim Allen did 200 episodes of ‘Home Improvement.’ He was in three of the highest grossing movies of all time. And his latest just crossed the one billion mark. Whereas ‘The Invention Of Lying’ made $18 million dollars worldwide...Leave Tim Allen alone." Not that Allen needs much defending – he and Hanks got their own rebuttal in at the Globes. “Like many of you, we recall back when Ricky Gervais was a slightly chubby but very kind comedian,” Hanks said as he took the stage, which Allen followed up with a well-timed, “Neither of which is he now.”
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Hey, Judd, way to suck up!
I remember kids like Ricky Gervais in school–the kind who thought that as long as you were reasonably good-looking you could barb everyone else and come out ahead.
Most people grow out of that kind of unacceptable behavior as they mature. Apparently the rest go to Hollywood.
It was comedy. Thank goodness for all of the Gervais' in the world. The Tim Allen line was great. Obviously Allen is a success and also a comedian. That is the point.
I found Ricky Gervais to be extremely funny at the Golden Globes
So let me get this straight...Judd is saying that Ricky was mean so he then does the exact same thing by saying mean things about Ricky? Ok that is the definition of hypocrisy right? Good because I have long believed that these butt kissing liberal Hollywood phony morons were also hypocrites. Thanks for the confirmation Judd.
"But, Apatow told his audience Sunday, 'Who looks good standing next to Tom Hanks? We all look like a piece of [expletive] standing next to Tom Hanks!'"
Ummmm... pretty sure that was the point of the joke... wow, and this guy is in comedy? Hard to believe if he lacks a sense of humor so obviously...
The entertainment- Jewish lobby is at it again. This time the young gaurd take it up – Apatow and Gandolfincus
Never thought Apatow was any good.
I bet Apatow hates Carlin as well. You think George Carlin was nice?????????? Ricky Gervais is genius period. F that wuss Apatow for not taking a joke about these people that have enough money to NOT give a F***.
Unlike Gervais, Apatow is NOT FUNNY!!!!!
I find it somewhat ironic that "comedians" had the most difficult time with Ricky Gervais' jokes. Apatow makes a living off of making fun of people. Oh, but I suppose celebrities are off limits. Suddenly, I don't like this dude anymore.
Absolutely correct.
Add the cookie monster to the list of ex fatties, which is lead off by Morticia. These east coast elites can take a complex compliment. Congratulate the cookie monster, but none of the others.
Good for Apatow. I was born in Scotland and just didn't get the "Brit Humor" Stupid jokes from a man that could not take the temperature of the room, once he sensed that the jokes were just not landing, why not switch to something gentler or just different. Stupid Cow.
Add Apatow to the list of pu55ies, which is led off by Robert Downey. These Hollywood phonies can't take a simple joke. F Apatow and the rest of them.
Good for Apatow. Standing up for those poor celebrities after those terrible Gervais jokes about facts about their lives. Oh brother. And repeatedly pointing out how bad Invention of Lying did, classic. Lets take a look at your writing portfolio: Dont Mess with the Zohan, Fun with Dick and Jane, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Celtic Pride, Funny People, The Ben Stiller Show, Freaks and Geeks, Undeclared. Wow that a whole list of awful. But its much better than Gervais, who created the Office and Extras, two Emmy winning shows. And making fun of his weight? You realize you both are about the same weight now right?
Good for you. Way to leave out movies like Anchorman, 40 Year old Virgin and Superbad to Apatows credits.
802: I think that's his point. Apatow's 'selectively' picking on Gervais' low-grossing movie to "prove" that he's not as good as Tim Allen. My goodness – there's no comparison there! 'The Office' and 'Extras' are two of the best, most inspired and brilliantly conceptualized comedies of this decade, possibly ever. How can Apatow compare anything Tim Allen did to Ricky Gervais' stuff?! Blows my mind.
Thank you Bob, exactly. And Apatow only wrote one of your examples, merely produced the others
Judd Apatow also shared his thoughts on Ricky Gervais outside on the red carpet:
http://gtcha.me/gQtwYz
Judd Apatow also shared his thoughts on Ricky Gervais outside on the red carpet:
http://gtcha.me/gQtwYz
Okay, Ricky's a grown man and can and should be able to take a hit or two in return for some funny jokes; but do we still need to be pizzy about it? Judd I hope you're not becoming a kizzazz sellout; I truly love several of your movies. Or is Mr. Apatow just mad that they keep mentioning his movie everytime they talk about that loon who tried to kill his girlfriend?
better check out this http://www.SUPERSONIC.US.COM
So he spent his time joking about another presenter? Wow, way to fail. I'm embarassed for him.
Someone please give Ricky a cookie!
Are all those celebrities so thin skinned that they can't take a joke? Pahleeeez....get over yourselves!! Hadn't the Golden Globe event organizers ever seen Ricky Gervais before he hosted the awards? I thought he was hilarious!!