Ricky Gervais Skips The Globes, Wanda Sykes Accepts His Award With A Special Message

Ricky Gervais did not attend the Golden Globe Awards this year. Wanda Sykes did, and she made the most of the moment. When Gervais won best comedy special, Sykes walked onstage to accept the trophy in

his absence. She paused briefly, glanced at the room, and delivered a line that instantly cut through the air.

She thanked “God and the trans community.” The audience understood the reference without any extra explanation. According to Variety, Gervais has long identified as an atheist, which made the opening part of the joke land quickly. The second part carried more weight, tied directly to the backlash surrounding his 2022 Netflix stand-up special SuperNature.Sykes let the line breathe. The laughter did the rest.

A Callback To A Controversy

The comment echoed a debate that never fully settled. SuperNature drew widespread criticism for jokes that mocked trans people, with many calling the material harmful rather than provocative. Gervais never issued a public apology or detailed response after the special aired.

Netflix stood firmly behind him at the time. CEO Ted Sarandos defended the platform’s approach by saying comedians figure out where the line is by “crossing the line every once in a while. I think it’s very important to the American culture generally to have free expression.”

That context sat quietly behind Sykes’ remark. She did not name the controversy directly or spell anything out for the room. The audience connected the dots on their own.

A Roast That Didn’t Spare Anyone

Before announcing the winner, Sykes warmed up the room by taking aim at every nominee. Her delivery stayed light, but the punches landed cleanly.

Bill Maher heard, “You give us so much, but I would love a little less. Try less.” Brett Goldstein got praise mixed with menace when she said, “You are handsome. You’ve got that great super villain voice, and you are charming. You would’ve made a great Menendez brother.” Kevin Hart was called “the richest guy in this category,” followed by the observation that he still wanted the win the most. Kumail Nanjiani earned, “I love that you prove that male comedians can be funny without being chubby.” Sarah Silverman got the quiet sting: “I love that we are such close friends. We haven’t talked in five years, but we are so close.”

Then Sykes turned back to Gervais. “I love you for not being here. I love you, Ricky, but if you win, I get to accept the award on your behalf, and you are going to thank God and the trans community.”

He won, and she accepted.

Gervais, Awards And Familiar Discomfort
The Golden Globe went to Gervais for his Netflix special Morality, beating Maher, Silverman, Nanjiani, Hart and Goldstein. He previously won the first-ever Golden Globe for stand-up comedy in 2024 for Armageddon.

Across his career, Gervais has earned 10 Globe nominations for television work, including The Office and Extras. He has also hosted the awards ceremony five times, becoming known for performances that lean heavily into discomfort and confrontation.

Last May, while receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Gervais summed up his approach to comedy. He said he “likes that people feel slightly uneasy” when he starts a joke, adding, “I can justify anything. I’m never that brutal. It just seems like it.”

This time, the unease arrived without him needing to step onstage.