Luke Mockridge apologizes for the Paralympics “jokes”. “Gags that have to be explained are not technically good.” He is “sorry”.
After a huge wave of criticism and outrage, comedian Luke Mockridge (35) apologizes for the Paralympics jokes.
“Of course, it was never my intention to ridicule people with disabilities – especially during these great Paralympic Games,” he writes, explaining: “I developed the jokes together with a Paralympic athlete and comedian to draw attention to the fact that pity is often the worst form of exclusion.” The response was “enormous and entirely positive,” “especially from people with disabilities.”
“Gags that have to be explained are not technically good”
But he also admits that this was “not clear” in the “short trailer clip” that “went viral”. “Gags that have to be explained are not technically good,” says Mockridge. “Comedy and sport are supposed to be fun – always! Today it didn’t work, and that’s on me,” he writes. In the post, Mockridge also reports on his “own experience working with disabled people”. He said he had “always experienced a sharp, black sense of humor” that he celebrated. “I’m really sorry that I didn’t manage to convey that properly and that I hurt people.”
Invitation from the German Disabled Sports Association
the German Disabled Sports Association (DBS) responded in a statement. “We would like to encourage people to watch para-sports live in order to experience the impressive achievements that people with disabilities are capable of – and to understand what an enrichment they are for our society,” the statement said. “We do not want to devote any greater attention to this contribution.”
“I am very happy to accept the invitation from the German Disabled Sports Association and am looking forward to the change of perspective and to actively learning,” Mockridge responded in his post.
Excerpt from the podcast “The Germans”
The bone of contention is an excerpt from the podcast “Die Deutschen” by Nizar (40) and Shayan, in which Mockridge was a guest. In the episode, which was published in mid-August, the trio talks about, among other things, the Paralympic Games, which will end this Sunday with a big closing ceremony after eleven days of competition.
Two-time Olympic champion Kristina Vogel (33), who has been paralyzed since a training accident in 2018, spoke out in shock on Saturday. In the comments, she wrote: “So many insults are boiling in my heart right now… I don’t understand how someone can be so derogatory!” The former track cyclist also drew attention to this in her Instagram stories.
New comedy quiz “What’s in the box?” is coming
From September 12th, the broadcaster Sat.1 will be showing Luke Mockridge’s new comedy quiz show “What’s in the Box?”. The broadcaster has not yet commented on the new criticism of its presenter.
For Mockridge, it is a TV comeback as a presenter after around three years. A former partner made serious allegations against him in September 2021. Mockridge denied the accusations and the Cologne public prosecutor’s office dropped proceedings. As a result, he temporarily withdrew from public life. From 2022, he went on tour again.
Source: Stern
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
