British comedian Ricky Gervais stressed the importance of free speech in a new interview Thursday, saying that while he strives to make his jokes bulletproof, he also believes that offending people is collateral damage in comedy.

Mr. Gervais, who is hosting the Golden Globe Awards for the fifth time on Sunday, told The Hollywood Reporter that he has no plans of watering down his material for the politically correct masses.

People like the idea of freedom of speech until they hear something they dont like, he said. So theres still a pressure, but that doesnt mean Im going to water it down or back down and not say what I want. Its just another form of what weve been through many, many times it used to be called P.C. I think those things start off with very good intention and then theyre mugged.

Its a good thing to not be racist and sexist and homophobic, but its not a good thing to not be allowed to make jokes about those things, because you can tell a joke about race without being racist, he continued. Im happy to play by the rules. Its just that the 200 million people watching have different rules. Thats the plight. When people say, He crossed the line, I say, I didnt draw a line, you did. Its relative. Its subjective.

Mr. Gervais came under fire for his 2016 performance at the Globes after he cracked a joke using Caitlyn Jenners former name, Bruce, and mocked Jenners driving in reference to a fatal crash in which the former Olympian was involved. Mr. Gervais said Thursday that he is not transphobic and that his joke was misunderstood.

I can justify the jokes, but I get it, he said. Some people, when you deal with contentious issues or taboo subjects, the very mention of them is the sacrilege. Thats why they stay taboo. People straight away, particularly with a comedian, if youre joking about a subject, they think youre anti it as opposed to pro it. Ive tried to explain this in [the Netflix special] Humanity. Its an occupational hazard of being outspoken.

I think offense is the collateral damage of free speech, and its no reason not to have free speech, he added. Thats what Id say its the lesser of two evils. Having free speech and some people getting upset by it is the lesser of two evils because not having free speech is horrendous.

Mr. Gervais said hes trying to write bulletproof material for this years Globes so that it can stand the test of time 10 years from now.

Kevin Hart [lost] his job [as Oscars host] for 10-year-old tweets that he said he was sorry about and deleted at the time, he noted. So theres more pressure on making [the jokes bulletproof]. Its the world [watching]. This isnt me in a comedy club.

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Ricky Gervais: 'Offense is the collateral damage of free speech' - Washington Times