Susan Boyle, Ricky Gervais Feud: Singer Hits Back at Comedian After Insensitive Insult

Posted on Mar 5th 2012 12:50PM by Sarah Chazan

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It looks like Ricky Gervais' big mouth has gotten him into some trouble again. The always-edgy comedian has found himself in a war of words with Susan Boyle after targeting the singer during a recent stand-up routine.

The root of the new feud stems from a portion of Gervais' 'Science' show from this past October (2011). During the set, Gervais went on a tirade against the 'I Dreamed a Dream' songstress, calling her a 'mong' -- which is a British slang term for someone with Down Syndrome.

"She would not be where she is today if it wasn't for the fact that she looked like such a f-----g mong," Gervais callously said to the crowd.

"When she first came on the telly, I went, 'Is that a mong?'" continued the comedian.

It took Boyle months to respond to Gervais' rude insults against her, but the singer has finally broken her silence to the Sun, saying it's Ricky with the problem ... not her!

"I can take whatever Ricky says, because I'll tell you something -- he's the one with the problem, not me," shares Boyle. "Ricky's a talented man but he's wasted himself with those comments. I think people who liked him are not so keen now."

In his defense, Ricky has previously said: "I have used 'mong,' but never to mean Down Syndrome and never would. The meaning of words change over time, 'gay' for example. The modern use of the word 'mong' means dopey or ignorant, it's in slang and urban dictionaries."

To her credit, Susan has tried to take the high road while defending herself against Gervais' derogatory remarks. "I've had a lot of insults. Do you know what I do? I ignore them," says Boyle. "I just get on with my life. Those who have something to say usually have nothing to do."

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Filed under: Hot Off the Press

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joyanto

It was wrong...................... be quite & listen.
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May 01 2013 at 3:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Gramie

Darlin'. I think you've gotten it wrong. It sounds as though you're the one with the problem and you aren't a whole hell of a lot to look at either! You're not too funny either, except when you look in the mirror.

April 17 2012 at 7:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dunlop Law Firm

I fail to see what people find entertaining about Ricky Gervais. There's no quetion that he was referring to people with Down syndrome. What a mean-spirited, rotten person to pick on some of our most vulnerable citizens. Shame on you, sir!

April 17 2012 at 2:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

nikkitytom

Nastiness is NEVER funny. This remark goes way beyond the pale. The man has no class and obviously no conscience. He not only insulted a lovely brave and inspiring woman, he insulted millions of people who are personally familiar with Down Syndrome. Shame on you Gervais. Shame!

April 17 2012 at 1:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

angelsandpixies

I actually like Ricky and I like his "fangs'. It is amazing that Susan has risen from obscurity, and has had so much success, because she has a good voice. I am happy for her. Just being honest here, she just is not a good looking person, but so what, really, plain people like her exist. Ricky is a comedian that pokes fun of her for her obesity and all that goes with it. "Mong" must be a British slang word for the American version of "Retard', both are vulgar terms for people with Down syndrome. He was just trying to be funny, I realize it is rude and wrong, but lighten up, he is looking for laughs, not for political correctness. *shrugs*

March 09 2012 at 12:15 AM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

NANCY

He is totally lying! First he admits to making the following statement ""When she first came on the telly, I went, 'Is that a mong?'" continued the comedian.
Ricky has previously said: "I have used 'mong,' but never to mean Down Syndrome and never would. The meaning of words change over time, 'gay' for example. The modern use of the word 'mong' means dopey or ignorant, it's in slang and urban dictionaries."
SO WHEN RICKY SAW SUSAN ON THE TELLY FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHAT HE REALLY WAS SAYING IS "IS THAT A DOPEY PERSON"! OR IS THAT AN IGNORANT PERSON"!!
Sorry Ricky, you can not explain yourself out of this one. I used to think you were sort of funny and now you just disgust me.

March 08 2012 at 10:08 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

Ralph

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March 07 2012 at 2:40 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

adreamergirl

Ricky I use to like your humor very much... but, I have to say you seem to just be mean now. Are you UN happy? Why are you striking out at so many people lately? I guess you called Sisam a "Mong" If you knew me it would be something worse. I have only one leg and only two toes and half a foot on the left leg. Plus a doctor messed up my left eye so it is stuck in the corner of my eye to your I would look deformed. Rocky you are a brilliant man very quick witted why do you feel the need to attack people? I try to teach my son that people like you must not like themselves very much to continue to strike out like this. My son has had 11 heart surgeries with 3 more to go... he is ten years old I wonder what word you would use to make fun of my child. Ricky either put the weight back on and bekinder to people or ijust be quiet, what do moms say if you can’t say something nice doing say anything at all?

March 06 2012 at 11:50 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply

bmitche

We have a society today where people speak without even thinking. Maybe it's the tongue's fault. "The tongue is mighter than the sword"

March 06 2012 at 3:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

SIGRID

It was very, very wrong for him to say that, but I have to admit I see what he's talking about. Sorry.

March 06 2012 at 2:36 PM Report abuse Permalink -3 rate up rate down Reply