Ricky Gervais is preparing for his most controversial stand-up tour to date, titled "Legend," which is slated to cover provocative and taboo subjects such as Jimmy Savile, suicide, and Hitler. The tour is scheduled to embark on a global journey before being released as a Netflix special under a significant financial agreement with the streaming service. Gervais recently previewed material from the new show at a performance in London.
During the London gig, Gervais addressed the legacy of Jimmy Savile, remarking on his "depraved acts" and the public's reaction to his escape from justice. "He raped disabled children in comas. Then he died, and then we found out. People are angry, saying, ‘He didn’t see justice. He had a great life, and he got away with it’. Did he, though? Is that a great life?" he reportedly told the audience. He followed this by saying, "If someone said to me, ‘Just f*** these disabled kids,’ I’d go ‘Eugh’. So, in a way, I’m worse than him because at least he gave them a chance.”
Gervais also touched on Adolf Hitler, suggesting that the dictator had some positive contributions before the Holocaust. "I’m not defending him, but he did do some good stuff. Adolf’s early work… he sorted out the transport system, he invented the people car," Gervais stated, adding a remark about his own writing credits for "The Office."
The comedian also discussed the use of racial slurs by his nieces and nephews and his own interactions with internet trolls. He described how he could potentially incite online trolls to commit suicide, expressing a dark thought process about their perceived future actions. Gervais also alluded to wishing he had a firearm at home for end-of-life scenarios, referencing a desire for assisted suicide if he were paralyzed.
Gervais has previously asserted his belief that he will not face cancellation, emphasizing free speech as a fundamental human right. He has observed a shift in public discourse over the past decade, noting a growing fatigue with what he perceives as excessive complaints. "Free speech is the most important human right there is, and it is the right for which all other rights come. Without free speech, you can't have human rights, and people shut you up because they don't like what you are saying, and that is always suspicious," he commented.
The "Ricky Gervais: Legend" tour is scheduled to run from September 2026 through the end of 2027. Gervais explained the tour's title was chosen partly to provoke a reaction, stating, "The new tour is called Legend… just to annoy people, really. Just so they go, ‘Ooh, who does he think he is? He’s changed’. I don’t think I have changed. I still feel working-class. I know I’m not. I live in a big house. But I want people to know where I came from."
Netflix has acquired the rights to stream "Legend," with the financial terms of the deal remaining undisclosed. Gervais, however, described it as his "favourite deal so far." His previous tours, including "Humanity," "SuperNature," "Armageddon," and "Mortality," have all achieved significant commercial success, breaking box office records and topping Netflix charts upon release.