The death of comedy has been greatly exaggerated. For proof, look no further than two recent Netflix specials, one by Ricky Gervais and the other by Dave Chappelle.

Both comedians are predictably catching heat from the usual suspects. Gervais’ special inspired a Change.org petition demanding that Netflix remove a particular joke, and Chappelle earned a news headline from Variety proclaiming, “Dave Chappelle’s Obsession With Mocking Trans People Continues in New Netflix Special.”

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The most amusing thing about the petition is that it targets one of the funniest parts of Gervais’ special, called Armageddon. Gervais jokes about making video messages for terminally ill children with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The audience may wonder what child would request a video from this dark-humored, cynical boomer as their dying wish. Gervais clarifies that he doesn’t do it unless they ask. “I didn’t burst into hospitals and go, ‘Wake up, baldy!’ Watch me twerking on TikTok,’” he quips. “I always start the video the same way. I go, ‘Why didn’t you wish to get better? What, are you f***ing retarded as well?’”

The funny thing about this bit in particular drawing controversy is that Gervais immediately........

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