Last month, Sam Smith did what many people have done: made a simple joke about how self-isolation and quarantines are difficult for many people, especially people who struggle with mental health issues. Sam posted photos where they were having a jokey little “meltdown” and Sam also posted a message pleading with fans to “Please, please stay safe…I really, really hope you’re okay and hope you’re mentally alright… this is going to be challenging for anyone who gets in [their head] a little bit like me.” That’s all. It was cute and sweet and very human. Well, Ricky Gervais took that in the worst possible way and used it as a jumping off point to lambast celebrities “whining” about corona-lockdowns.
When pop star Sam Smith broke down in tears on Instagram in their £12million house, complaining about being in isolation, there was one man the singer was not getting sympathy from.
Funnyman Ricky Gervais says celebrities, including himself, should not be whining about having to stay indoors. Instead, he says, Britain should be lining up on a Thursday evening to applaud our NHS heroes. In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Ricky said: “After this is over I never want to hear people moaning about the welfare state again, I never want to hear people moaning about nurses again. Or porters. These people are doing 14-hour shifts and not complaining. Wearing masks, and being left with sores, after risking their own health and their families’ health selflessly. But then I see someone complaining about being in a mansion with a swimming pool. And, you know, honestly, I just don’t want to hear it.”
Despite his serious, almost angry tone, he then quickly adds with his trademark chuckle: “I didn’t go out much anyway, and there’s always too much booze in the house. It’s always been the 6pm watershed for as long as I remember. Obviously, I am looking at the watch.”
“I had no money growing up, I didn’t have any until I was 40. But I still had everything. My mum, she gardened, she grew, she cooked, she sewed, she knitted, she decorated, she did everything she could. And she gave me everything I wanted except money. I also realised growing up that all the best things were free — friends, nature, learning and healthcare. And that’s why I gladly pay my taxes. And that’s why I clap the NHS.”
Yes, it would truly be impossible to clap for carers and give much respect to healthcare workers and essential workers AND also recognize that some regular people – nay, even celebrities – might mention that they are struggling with the lockdown. These quotes originate from a longer interview Ricky did with the Sun, and I looked through the entire piece and I don’t see where Ricky name-checked Sam specifically. It might be that the Sun just decided to name-check Sam, even though Sam has been posting IGs to support the NHS and medical-support charities. Who knows. But I will say this – I’m shocked by how much I loathe Ricky Gervais these days. He thinks he’s so edgy and contrarian when really he’s just trying to appeal to the *worst* audiences. “Yeah, how dare people talk about mental health in a quarantine, what whiners!”
Photos courtesy of WENN/BBC.
I’m with him, I think it’d be best for most celebrities to stfu on how rough it is or how they are coping. Because as much as I appreciate kiM k saying she knows how much it sucks, she isn’t stuck in an apartment or her house in WI, no she has a humongous yard with every single possible thing to keep her kids entertained. And that’s not to pick on Kim k, she has actually annoyed me the least, but people like jlo and Arod pleading with people to stay home make my blood boil. They need to sit down and shut up.
Agreed.
Agreed. Dont forget Ellen DeGeneres who lives in a huge mansion. He is referring to privileged people like celebrities while people are struggling to keep food and needs and much of them living off of daily work or have suspended wages (What Disney or McDonalds are doing is immoral)
Ellen is just missing a crowd of people to bully. I hope her wife is ok.
agreed. I personally have a lot of respect for ricky and could not agree more with what he says here
Honestly, I feel the same way. I know Ricky is hated on this site but from how his words come across in print here I just don’t have a problem with what he’s said.
I get that people who are stuck at home are struggling with the isolation. But I simply can’t relate to celebrities in mansions with lots of leisure time. Like Goop telling us to take a bath every night to relax from the stress….huh?
I’m a nurse & my life is basically a chaotic clusterf*ck right now.
I’m working overtime for the last 7 weeks, & yes I have a sore across the bridge of my nose from masks.
I’ve been self quarantined from my children & husband for 2 weeks now.
My husband is self employed & thankfully has been able to stay home with our kids & help them with school.
I haven’t talked to them on the phone or on Zoom for over 24 hours (I got off work last night after they’d gone to bed & I clocked back in at 5:30 this morning. My son is in 3rd grade & my daughter is pre-K, she just turned 5. My husband said she’s been waking up around midnight crying. I know all of this is confusing & stressful for both of them, even though we’re trying our best to keep things upbeat for them.
For those who might say Well this is the career you chose so why are you complaining about it? I actually love being a nurse & I have no regrets about my chosen field of work. My complaints are only about the separation from family I’m experiencing & the potential financial impact……because while I’m grateful to have a job & be earning a paycheck my husband is the breadwinner here, his income is easily double what mine is.
Thanks for letting me vent a little…have a coffee break here at work ☕
Stay safe & healthy everyone.
All best for you, what you are doing is great, your work ethic.
Vent away, I have nothing but respect for frontline workers. Yes you might have chosen to be a nurse, but you didn’t choose to be a nurse in the midst of a pandemic where you cant see your kids. I don’t think anyone here would begrudge you a bit of complaining right now 🙂
Annika, thank you, thank you, thank you for sacrificing so much to care for the sick. I hope things get better for you soon.
Thank you for everything that you are doing and sacrificing to protect us
@Annika Thank you for taking the time to vent and share your story with us. I’m an RN, but in a private office; I cannot imagine how difficult it must be in the hospital. I keep checking in with my hospital nurse/PCT friends to see if there is anything I can do to help support them, because there is no doubt you all have it the toughest right now. Thanks for doing what you do.
I am trying not to complain because I know how fortunate I am to have a roof over my head and food on the table. That said, I think it is fine to express concerns about mental health.
100% with Ricky and you all on this. A lot of celebrities have not read the tone right throughout this. On which, I don’t see how anyone would think Sam’s post was ok and Ricky’s comments weren’t… Sam Smith tweeted that whole quarantine meltdown thing before the UK even went into official lockdown. That was announced on March 23 and he was already complaining on March 20, the day restaurants etc were ordered closed so until this point all he had to do was precisely nothing. So, I am sorry but this clearly wasn’t something he could possibly have been genuinely struggling with. It was an asinine joke about a situation that hadn’t even fully escalated whilst the nation was facing huge uncertainty over what it would mean for people’s jobs and livelihoods when we hadn’t yet been given a clear picture of incoming measures. He was clearly doing it for attention, which is his general approach to everything. Can’t bear him and want to know why it’s OK for him to make crappy jokes about the situation but not Ricky Gervais? I think/hope this lockdown situation is going to change celebrity culture in a big way depending on how they responded to it and a lot of them aren’t doing so great, let’s be honest. They are coming across as narcissistic a*holes and I hope we all reassess our interest in them.
I think he said it all wrong but he kind of has a point. Everyone is finding this hard, even if you’re a multi millionaire or a billionaire but we aren’t all equal in this. There are people living in huge homes, with their home cinemas, gyms and a bank account big enough to survive for years. Even a small private outdoor space is a real luxury. There are people living in tiny, cramped apartments, fearful about how they can pay their bills or whether they’ll have a job to return to after all of this.
We all have to look at what we have and work on being grateful.
This.
Celebrities are absolutely entitled to have mental health issues, and be depressed about this. Sure. But I’m also entitled to not have to hear about it because they have the resources to deal with it. Chris Cuomo said it very well when he admitted that he is in the best possible situation – he has money, he has a wife willing to take great care of him, he has a job, connections, etc. He’s got resources to deal with the crap coming at him. That’s the right way to talk about what you are going through – yes, share, but be frank about your privilege. Otherwise you get no sympathy.
A good friend of mine has ongoing mental health issues and I asked her how she is doing because she’s a front line medical worker and a single mom. Her reply? “I can’t afford to have a breakdown.”
So yeah, much as it pains me to say it, I’m with Ricky on this one.
I agree – he worded it in a very Ricky Gervais way, but I think his general point stands.
i’m on day 30 of the quarantine and I try not to complain too much. I know I “can,” there are some aspects of this that are hard, and “crisis schooling” is for sure a stressor, but I also realize how lucky we are, relatively, in this situation. This is hard for everyone in different ways so its not that I don’t think people can or should complain, but there is definitely an element of “read the room” that is missing with some of these celebrities.
Same I try to not complain bc I know many ppl are in a worst position than me, but celebrities in their “we are just like you” mode annoy me a little
I’m with him. I’m a therapist working with the Medicaid/Medicare/uninsured population. Considered essential so I still have to go into an empty clinic for no reason, seemingly just to expose myself to virus from coworkers several times a week.
I’m talking on the phone with people who are really suffering from this, mentally, financially, physically. Some are in DV relationships they had planned on escaping. I don’t want to hear it about how hard it is while on a pool float, or hear encouragement to stay at home from j lo after her outing to her gym, or any of this other BS. I want all celebrities to do what rihanna is doing and just give away money and shut up.
I agree with Ricky Gervais. I’m an at-home carer so I have travel from one vulnerable person to another in London. It is scary right now. A lot of vulnerable people are scared, not just of the virus but of being left alone. I feel lucky that I can still work and don’t have to worry about money, but I get annoyed at celebs complaining about not being able to go out when they can get everything they need.
Ricky is wrong about the clapping.
How about British people stop voting in governments that underfund the NHS and its staff?
NHS do not have PPE and are dying because of it.
Properly funded healthcare?
‘But how are you going to pay for it?’
Team Ricky all the way. Whiners like Ellen et al moaning about how isolation in their obcene manse is like jail, are irritating as hell.
Agree. If they need to complain, they should at least know their audience. Call/facetime/zoom celebrity friends who are equally as miserable in their gilded cages and kvetch all you want.
I agree. I’m an at-home carer so I have travel from one vulnerable person to another in London. It is scary right now. A lot of vulnerable people are scared, not just of the virus but of being left alone. I feel lucky that I can still work and don’t have to worry about money, but I get annoyed at celebs complaining about not being able to go out when they can get everything they need.
Agreed! Ellen really pis*ed me off the other day with her comparing hanging out in her multimillion-dollar mansion to being in jail. Like i (someone who spent 4 months in jail) said then, NO it’s nothing like being in jail and she really needs to realize how she’s much more fortunate than 99.9% of the population and STFU! I am with Ricky 100% on this. The only people i have any tolerance to hear any whining/complaining from right now are first responders/medical workers, people who lost their job, people who are trying to get by while cooped up in a tiny apartment with 3 kids… Wealthy celebrities really need to read the room right now and just not complain about anything.
Yeah, I’m agreeing with him though. I think it’s one thing to whine a bit to your friends/family that you’re bored, but it’s another to post online. I still have to go into work surrounded by 100’s of people because we are “essential”. And I’m not important like nurses or grocery workers. It’s incredibly frustrating to see people complaining while they’re safely tucked into their houses. Meanwhile everyday is like a ticking time bomb for those that work outside. Don’t get me started on celebrities complaining or saying we are all in this together. Nah.
Allz – just want to say you ARE important. Thank you for what you are doing.
+1
I like him. I don’t back everything he says, but I agree with him a lot and I think he’s really funny. I feel like the way he is is part of his act. I agree that people that are in very good circumstances, even if depressed about it, should probably just be quiet. Some people are really going to come out of this in bad positions, and while I’m not saying mental health isn’t important, it falls lower on the hierarchy than food and shelter, IMO
I think Ricky is a jealous loser.
Jealous of what? He’s worth $130mil
It’s wrong to compare who’s hurt/suffering more. Yes, some are locked in mansions with a huge yard, but a mental health issue, and some are locked in a small flat with abusive partners, and some are pulling 18 hour shifts in COVID-19 hospitals. Everyone has scars, some are less visible to others, but not less legitimate nonetheless. Someone always got it better or worse. World is in deep shit already, why add more aggression and devastation?
I’ve had to check myself a few times to think about all the instances one could find themselves during this time. And there’s plenty of horror to go around if you give the situation a thorough chance to sink in. I get what he’s saying, but it’s like he’s purposefully targeting only people free of all the serious crap humans have to put up with on a daily basis.
While not really liking the messenger, the message gets the point across.
I am not even hating on Sam Smith and his message either. His fans have been open about their struggles as well and he was trying to help a bit.
The Sun continues to be garbage. Pitting people against one another is their bread and butter and Ricky could have did this on his IG and still got press.
I’ll be honest – I’m sort of team both of them in this scenario?
I don’t think Sam was a fair target for Ricky, though. I do agree that there have been FAR TOO MANY celebrities complaining about the lockdowns while living in mega million dollar mansions, without having to worry about how they’re going to afford food or power or whatever else. I’m really unsure why he didn’t specifically take a swing at someone like Ellen though – that would have been a fair person to call out, I think. Why not rip on JLo and ARod? Why not rip on someone like whatsherface – the Wasp or whatever her character name is who actively flouted guidelines publicly. Those are the people who should be making him angry, but it’s interesting that they’ve gotten through relatively unscathed.
When it comes to mental health issues they definitely don’t discriminate based on wealth, but someone who has the kind of money, privilege and access that Sam does definitely has a leg up over the people who are low income or no income. One thing I would really like to see is celebrities donating to mental health initiatives alongside food banks and things like that. Thankfully, we have more access now than people used to have as far as telehealth and things like that. But it definitely still isn’t easy, and Sam has a very valid point. There are a LOT of people suffering.
I normally can be a bit neurotic and get inside my own head, but I typically can cope. I know that I’m lucky because of that. But we found out our office was shutting down in December, and my end date was supposed to be May 1. Right now we have a buyer, but there’s been so little communication over the last few weeks because of covid. Our end date letters have been suspended and likely we’ll be leased back to the current company for a while for the transition. I have literally zero idea of if I’m guaranteed a new job, or how long I’ll be working here. And that’s been super stressful. If I don’t get a job, I do get severance which will cover something like 4 months of regular wages, and I’ll be eligible for EI. But I have to keep telling myself that getting worked up isn’t productive because I just don’t have ANY control over the virus, OR my job. Whatever happens happens. And I’m SLOWLY becoming more at peace with that, and just trying not to drive myself insane. And I know I’m SUPER lucky. I know SO many people are in worse situations, so I can’t even imagine how much people are suffering with mental health issues right now.
Reading the article it doesn’t say he mentioned Sam Smith at all. He appears to be talking about celebrities in general.
Ahhhh so it was just The Sun trying to stir up more specific drama. The way they worded that I wasn’t sure if it was a direct response to Sam, or if it was just a generalized statement.
Ricky Gervais is a celebrity who whines about celebrities whining. Like he did at whatever award show he hosted complaining about rich actors. Thing was, no one pulled him up for being a very rich actor. He gets away with it because, why? I find him disingenuous and it’s weird people don’t notice the hypocrisy.
I like him. He says all the things I’d like to say to them.
But he is that he complains about. It’s hypocrisy. You know he’s Uber rich bitching about rich people. He’s a celebrity whining about celebrities. Who can’t see that? Y’all fall for like he’s one of you. He’s not. He’s them.
He’s not laughing at them for being celebrities. He’s laughing at them for being full of shit, which they are. Just because he’s a celebrity doesn’t mean he can’t point it out.
He also donates a ton of money to charity. Remember that all of the celebs that have ‘foundations” are donating other peoples money and passing it off in their name…looking at you Oprah. I make donations yearly to several charities that I support however, I always decline when a store asks me to donate. They take our dollar donation and donate in their name for a tax write off.
I think there’s a balance. I think this is hard for everyone, but, obviously, we’re not all in the same situation.
It’s been hard for me, but I’m not sick, I’m in a house with a backyard, and at this point I’m not worried about my next meal. I realize how lucky those things make me. I do think there is a difference between acknowledging something is a hard or is a challenge and whining about your situation. As I said, I realize that I’m lucky in this situation, but it’s still difficult not seeing other people for such an extended time (I live alone) and not being able to go anywhere. I think this is hard for everyone, and I can’t fault anyone for acknowledging that.
So long as those that have their health and are not worried about their next meal or paycheck do not act as if they are the most putupon, then I can’t fault them for acknowledging that it’s hard or that they are struggling – especially those who do it while trying to help others.
I agree with you. I feel very lucky I’m financial secure but I life in a small apartment and can’t really go outside it has gotten to me a couple of times but then I remember all those people putting their lives on the line so I can go get food at the store, and I just think how lucky I am. im not worried about losing my home, or getting food. I don’t have to educate kids (don’t have any).
I think my issue with some of the celebrities is they aren’t talking about how this is hard and to remember we aren’t meant to be alone so if your feeling down reach out they are complaining about not going out. And I get that it sucks but if I had a backyard with a pool I would still not love this hut at least I could get air.
I think it’s perspective and empathy and for a lot of celebs it’s been about them and not a collective us. (Not all celebs some have really stepped up)
To quote a wise man, “Money can’t buy you happiness, but it can sure make you comfortable in your misery.”
I am not saying that rich people don’t struggle with issues, but struggling in a mansion with millions in the bank is way different than what the rest of us are dealing with. Most of the problems that cause us regular people anxiety stem from money issues. It’s very tone deaf to do the whole “Stars! They’re just like us!” right now.
Agreed with him. I had Ellen Degeneres in mind reading this article. I don’t know about Sam Smith, it’s not fair he was named by the paper (and not Gervais)
I think Sam Smith’s joke wasn’t funny. Like I don’t take offense to it, but it didn’t make me laugh or anything. Like pretending to cry? I’m not sure how it was a joke. It didn’t make sense to me, and I’m not humorless in the least.
As someone who has both an anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder in the time of Covid-19, I would prefer celebrities to make donations to mental health causes as some others have said. It’s scary not knowing how long I can afford my regular therapy sessions, and if I lose my job there’s no way I can continue to afford my medication.
Essentially, if Sam Smith was making that joke to make people like me feel better/seen/heard, they failed.
I used to absolutely love Ricky Gervais…..but the fact that he still hasn’t done anything significant directed at Trump tells me a lot about him. I know he thinks Trump is an absolute joke…..his only reason for studiously avoiding him must be to avoid pissing off his supporters……the idea of that taints all his other work as far as I’m concerned.
He’s slammed Beavis and Butthead for their disgusting trophy hunting, so there’s that.
Why should he go after Trump ? He’s not a journalist or a political figure. He can make jokes (or not make them) as he pleases. Are you avoiding any comedian who hasn’t made fun of Gervais? I am a bit confused here
Bella Dupont, I’ve seen him make jokes about Trump over the years. He has definitely done it, perhaps not on a Kathy Griffin-esk scale!
I think this lockdown is making a lot of people reassess their relationship to celebrity culture and how they feel about the concept of fame. We’re seeing who the real heroes are – and they’re not famous, they’re not powerful and they’re certainly not rich. Sure, this time is scary for all of us regardless of social or financial status, but I don’t find it helpful that celebrities are trying to relate or create togetherness when we live in completely different worlds and that togetherness will be kaput as soon as this is all over. The reality is, ultimately their privilege and money puts them above the mess most of us are in. I’m sure their content is helpful for some, and that’s absolutely fantastic – but personally, it’s not for me. I like to see celebrities donating money to people and organisations who need it and that’s about all I can stomach rn.
Honestly Smith posted the photo how long into lockdown? few days? I remember seeing it and thinking that it was not appropriate. Their message was nice though but could have gone with some other image. So I do get Ricky’s point cause I think I had a same reaction. no matter how much I like them.
It was around the same time as Gal Gadot’s world-changing Imagine celeb singalong… 😁
I am torn on this. I was in quarantine and after this in self-isolation for 4 weeks and my anxiety came back after 20 years without. Without my children I would have slipt away. I am essential in my Country ( iam respobsible for unemployment benefits) and still have 3 Kids at home ( Schools are closed) …everyday i work 10 hours and homeschool afterwards and iam exhausted from all the personal stories i hear from my costumers….. i think both is draining…
Ricky Gervais is that guy who didn’t notice when his jokes stopped evolving and he became preachy. He’s been preachy for years. I hate preachy comedians.
In general, if you still have your job, your health, and maybe even work from home, it’s not the best idea to broadcast your meltdowns. I moan to my colleagues who are in the same situation. I don’t moan to my bff who works in a hostpital. General rule of thumb, if you must whine, don’t whine to someone less privileged or fortunate. There are few people in this situation as or more fortunate than celebrities with money and mansions. So please don’t whine to us unless it’s really entertaining at the same time. And don’t preach either.
General rule of thumb, if you must whine, don’t whine to someone less privileged or fortunate.
This.
Sorry I agree with him! I know people are having mental health issues but celebrities whining when they can go outside and many aren’t concerned about money it’s to much to take. Sam Smith should have said I know isolation can be bad and effects our mental health but physical distancing doesn’t mean you stop talking. You know like KAMALA HARRIS says in every interview she gives.
But whining about being trapped inside when you have a gorgeous large home with a yard, pool and gym is just like shut up!
So go Ricky!!
I only read the segment of the interview you quoted – but I agree with every word he said in those pull quotes.
There’s a big difference between dealing with mental/emotional issues and pure whining by people who are blessed with money, great homes and the ability to sit this out in relative comfort.
I consider myself fortunate to have a home to stay in and living on an adequate retirement income though not lavish. My husband and I can make do and appreciate it. Every day I say how lucky we are and how hard it is for women who are single mothers to deal with no income and homeschooling and childcare and everything else. Mental health of course is a vital part of every life but I have to agree that it is difficult to relate to the challenges of someone who is young and wealthy and lives in a home like that. Something like this can make you realize what is important and what you need to do when hopefully this passes. So take a seat Sam and listen to music or watch the 8 million things on Netflix you have been meaning to and be happy that if need be you can afford to have stuff delivered.
“It was cute and sweet and very human”
Yeah, no. It was annoying as hell and having a “joke” meltdown to bring attention to mental health is just as stupid as that fucking “Imagine” video.
I’m with Ricky.
I’m with him. It’s not that you aren’t allowed to feel even if you’re rich and privileged–but maturity is about learning to control your impulses, and taking time before you speak to think about how your words might affect others. Rich people complaining publicly when their are so many people really suffering under the extreme stress of losing businesses and jobs, and fearing for loved ones, is tone deaf. I wish celebrities would shut up during this time unless they’re talking about supporting others.
I agree with Ricky. I was just put on furlough for two months. My employer will reevaluate in two moths if they can/want to bring people back. I will still get benefits but no pay. I’ll have to apply for unemployment on Friday. Who knows if they will bring people back then or ever. I have just enough set aside to float for a month if need be.
That being said, I realize I do have certain advantages. I’m still young and work in a field that always needs bodies (I.T.). I have no dependents. Others are not so fortunate.
So yeah, hearing celebrities who have millions in the bank and don’t have to worry about making rent/mortgage/bill payments wine about the situation can STFU. Sorry you’re not able to get the proper attention your fragile ego craves but there are others in worse situations. Recognize that.
I know he doesn’t get any love on this site, and I absolutely see why. But, I dont see how he’s wrong here. So many posters on this site came after Ellen and Justin Timberlake for their clueless comments. He’s just saying the same thing but because he’s Rocky Gervais he comes off like a jerk. Yes, celebrities are allowed to have mental health issues but when I haven’t worked in a month and I’m cooped up in 1000 sq feet with 2 kids wondering if I need to get a job at a grocery store and risk my life to pay some bills I dont want to hear how celebrities in their mansions are struggling to take care of their own children for the first time.
He’s not wrong…. does no one remember what that vapid useless idiot Vanessa Hudgens said? I have a feeling a lot of celebrities feel the same way she does, they’re just smart enough not to say it on Instagram.
I totally agree with Ricky, any social media or “news” is all about the haves crying about being bored. I am super lucky, I have a job (where I’m working overtime from home to help with COVID related financial stuff, which I’m glad to do), a house with a yard and I live alone with my dog. It does suck … BUT it is really for me just super inconvenient and a little lonely, I would never ever post something whining about how hard it is for me. That’s just bad taste.
I agree with Ricky and appreciate what he does for the animals. I don’t think his most recent GG hosting gig was well done however. Too much shooting oneself (HW industry) in the foot.
Read this headline..Agree!
He’s obnoxious, sorry. I don’t care what he says. Agree with everything @emmy and @Calibration said.
He’s not one of us. He’s one of them trying so hard to be “down with the people.”
Sorry, Ricky, you’re worth more than a hundred million. You stopped being an Everyman a long time ago.
He’s nothing but a whiner whining about people caring. Sometimes, a celeb will take the pill out of the privilege Matrix and he’ll shame them for it and act like an edgy teenager nihilist.
He sucks and he’s just doing this for publicity. And, hey, it worked. We’re talking about him.
By the way… I read this article regardin Sam Smith “joke” about the isolation and how hard it was for people with mental illness. I really don’t see where the joke was ? It seemed fairly well-intentioned