Ricky Gervais reacted to the Emmy Awards by sharing part of a speech he made while hosting the 2020 Golden Globes, calling out Hollywood stars for using the ceremony to make political statements.
‘If you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech. You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything,’ Gervais said five years ago.
‘You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.’
After Sunday night’s Emmy awards, Gervais reposted an X upload of the quote that had been shared by ABC News, along with the caption: ‘They’re still not listening’.
It came after several celebrities who shared speeches filled them with references to contemporary political issues.
Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, 30, used the end of her acceptance speech to spotlight Palestine.
After picking up the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, the actress concluded her address saying: ‘Finally, go birds, f*** ICE and free Palestine – thank you!’
Comic actress Megan Stalter, 35, another breakout star from HBO’s Hacks, had the phrase ‘Ceasefire!’ written on her purse on the red carpet. ‘It’s the most important to stick up for people and for peace,’ Stalter told Variety of the political statement. ‘We have to use our platforms.’
After Sunday night’s Emmy awards, Gervais reposted an X upload of the quote that had been shared by ABC News, along with the caption: ‘They’re still not listening’
Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, 30, after winning the honors for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, ended her speech saying: ‘Free Palestine!’
She posed the question: ‘What’s the point of being at these big events if you’re not going to use your privilege?’
Javier Bardem was another one of the Hollywood celebrities to voice his support for Palestine on Sunday’s red carpet, referring to a pledge more than 1,800 entertainment industry workers have taken to boycott working with Israeli film companies.
The Oscar-winning actor, 56, who wore a black and white keffiyeh around his neck, urged those watching to support the pro-Palestine movement in an interview with Variety, after the pledge was put together earlier this month – just ahead of the two-year anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 massacre.
‘Here I am today denouncing the genocide in Gaza,’ the No Country for Old Men actor said. ‘I’m talking about the IAGS, which is the International Association of Genocide Scholars, who [have thoroughly studied] genocide and declared [the current Israel-Palestine conflict] a genocide.’
On the red carpet, Bardem, a native of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain who is married to fellow A-lister Penelope Cruz, explained his views and objectives in detail.
‘That’s why we ask for a commercial and diplomatic blockade, and also sanctions on Israel to stop the genocide – free Palestine!’ Bardem said.
Bardem explained of organisation efforts he and others in Hollywood are taking amid the politically-tense situation.
‘We are getting together Film Workers for Palestine,’ Bardem said. ‘It’s a great union [and] group that is getting more and more people attached.
‘It’s also important to clarify to Paramount that we do not target individuals by their identity – that’s absolutely wrong – don’t send that message, that is a wrong thing.’
Javier Bardem, 56, was among the Hollywood stars to express their support for Palestine on Sunday at the show from the Peacock Theater at LA Live in Los Angeles
Bardem continued: ‘What we target are those complicit film companies and institutions that are involved in whitewashing or justifying the genocide of Israel in Gaza and its apartheid regime.’
He added: ‘And we stand with those who fight and stand in solidarity with the oppressed.’
The actor was nominated for best supporting actor in a limited series for his role in Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
Einbinder was one of the thousands of actors, directors and other film industry professionals – including Emma Stone, Joaquin Phoenix, Tilda Swinton and Olivia Colman – who signed the Film Workers for Palestine pledge to boycott Israeli film companies ‘implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people’.
She was asked backstage to elaborate on her pro-Palestine speech and decision to sign the boycott pledge.
‘I feel like it is my obligation as a Jewish person to distinguish Jews from the State of Israel, because our religion and our culture is such an important and long standing institution that is really separate to this sort of ethno-nationalist state,’ she told the press, reported Deadline.
‘Boycotting is an effective tool to create pressure on the powers that be to meet the moment. The Film Workers for Palestine boycott does not boycott individuals, it only boycotts institutions that are directly complicit in the genocide … I think it’s an important measure, so I was happy to be a part of it.’
Another pointed political reference came after HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver claimed the award for Best Writing for a Variety Series.
The show’s senior writer, Daniel O’Brien, said in the acceptance speech: ‘We share this category – we are honoured to share it with all writers of late night political comedy while that is still a type of show that’s allowed to exist.’
Megan Stalter at the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Peacock Theater on September 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California
Fans on social media reacted to Gervais’ comments, with some agreeing with The Office star and co-creator, and others calling him out for hypocrisy.
‘Still my favorite rant of all time,’ said one X user in response to Gervais’ post.
‘Mr Gervais, you are one of the few people with common sense and clarity in the entertainment biz,’ added another.
‘Should be quoted before every celebrity award ceremony. Perhaps one day they’ll learn,’ wrote one commenter.
However, another said, ‘Or they just don’t give a s*** about your opinion’.
‘Sorry, lecturing people is lecturing people. Saying do or don’t is lecturing. Maybe find another way to make your point!’ another added.
One more said: ”You don’t need to know ‘about the real world’ to call out genocide. What’s the alternative? Also, don’t mistake your own ignorance & apathy as universal or admirable.’
