Latest news with #GuinnessWorldRecord
Economic Times
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Ricky Gervais breaks records, reflects on free speech and launches comedy contest
Ricky Gervais performs on stage during his Mortality tour, following his record-setting Armageddon show at the Hollywood Bowl Ricky Gervais brings his new stand-up show Mortality to the Hollywood Bowl, continuing his long-standing tradition of using dark comedy to explore difficult topics. Known for mixing satire, brutal honesty, and humor about aging and death, Gervais previously broke a Guinness World Record at the venue in 2023 with his Armageddon tour. The current show continues this trajectory, leaning into his signature comedic style that provokes thought and laughter in equal measure. The Mortality tour incorporates commentary on life's final chapter, framed in a comedic format designed to engage audiences intellectually and emotionally. Gervais describes his approach as a 'magic trick,' built on formulaic misdirection that allows controversial topics to be explored through humor. The tour highlights his continued appeal among audiences willing to engage with challenging material delivered through carefully crafted jokes. Also read: Peacock's The Office Follow-Up Series: What we know about cast, plot and production team Gervais was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing his place in entertainment history. The recognition follows a career that includes acclaimed TV shows, international stand-up tours, and high-profile awards hosting gigs. Gervais, known for criticizing celebrity culture while working within it, acknowledged the irony of the recognition. He reflected on how being immortalized in Hollywood contrasts with his own minimalist lifestyle and desire to return home early. The ceremony was scheduled for the day before his Hollywood Bowl appearance, allowing him to optimize his time in Los Angeles and return home promptly, which he described as a personal priority. In addition to his tour and recent accolades, Gervais is promoting the Spirit of Comedy competition, a UK-based contest designed to spotlight emerging stand-up comedians. Sponsored by Dutch Barn Vodka, a brand Gervais co-owns, the contest offers the winner a chance to open for him at London's OVO Arena Wembley. Also read: Was it all joke? How stand-up comedy helped reelect TrumpThe collaboration with Dutch Barn Vodka stems from Gervais's interest in the company's ethical practices, including sustainability, vegan production, and fair labor. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with his personal values and allows him to give back to the comedy community. Gervais noted the contest's potential to support new talent while offering creative fulfillment on his part. Gervais continues to advocate for creative freedom in comedy, arguing that offense is often misattributed due to misunderstandings about the intended target of jokes. He stated that comedians are increasingly scrutinized for addressing taboo topics, but that satire remains essential for exploring societal norms. He distinguishes his work from political rhetoric by emphasizing that comedians create fiction to provoke laughter, not literal statements meant to harm. Gervais reiterated that audience members can choose to disengage rather than censor performers, framing comedy as an intellectual pursuit governed by structure and timing rather than ideology in an interview with The Los Angeles Times. Also read: Trump skips White House Correspondents' Dinner again; Watch journalist & celebs take over red carpet Gervais described the comedy process as mathematical, where structure and timing produce a reaction. He explained that the ability to provoke laughter, regardless of personal agreement with the punchline, is what defines a joke's success. For him, the only censorship should be personal choice, not imposed regulation.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ricky Gervais breaks records, reflects on free speech and launches comedy contest
Ricky Gervais returns to Hollywood Bowl with new tour Mortality Ricky Gervais brings his new stand-up show Mortality to the Hollywood Bowl, continuing his long-standing tradition of using dark comedy to explore difficult topics. Known for mixing satire, brutal honesty, and humor about aging and death, Gervais previously broke a Guinness World Record at the venue in 2023 with his Armageddon tour. The current show continues this trajectory, leaning into his signature comedic style that provokes thought and laughter in equal measure. The Mortality tour incorporates commentary on life's final chapter, framed in a comedic format designed to engage audiences intellectually and emotionally. Gervais describes his approach as a 'magic trick,' built on formulaic misdirection that allows controversial topics to be explored through humor. The tour highlights his continued appeal among audiences willing to engage with challenging material delivered through carefully crafted jokes. Also read: Peacock's The Office Follow-Up Series: What we know about cast, plot and production team Comedian receives Hollywood Walk of Fame star Gervais was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing his place in entertainment history. The recognition follows a career that includes acclaimed TV shows, international stand-up tours, and high-profile awards hosting gigs. Gervais, known for criticizing celebrity culture while working within it, acknowledged the irony of the recognition. He reflected on how being immortalized in Hollywood contrasts with his own minimalist lifestyle and desire to return home early. The ceremony was scheduled for the day before his Hollywood Bowl appearance, allowing him to optimize his time in Los Angeles and return home promptly, which he described as a personal priority. Spirit of Comedy contest promotes emerging talent In addition to his tour and recent accolades, Gervais is promoting the Spirit of Comedy competition, a UK-based contest designed to spotlight emerging stand-up comedians. Sponsored by Dutch Barn Vodka, a brand Gervais co-owns, the contest offers the winner a chance to open for him at London's OVO Arena Wembley. Live Events Also read: Was it all joke? How stand-up comedy helped reelect Trump The collaboration with Dutch Barn Vodka stems from Gervais's interest in the company's ethical practices, including sustainability, vegan production, and fair labor. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with his personal values and allows him to give back to the comedy community. Gervais noted the contest's potential to support new talent while offering creative fulfillment on his part. Gervais defends free speech in comedy Gervais continues to advocate for creative freedom in comedy, arguing that offense is often misattributed due to misunderstandings about the intended target of jokes. He stated that comedians are increasingly scrutinized for addressing taboo topics, but that satire remains essential for exploring societal norms. He distinguishes his work from political rhetoric by emphasizing that comedians create fiction to provoke laughter, not literal statements meant to harm. Gervais reiterated that audience members can choose to disengage rather than censor performers, framing comedy as an intellectual pursuit governed by structure and timing rather than ideology in an interview with The Los Angeles Times. Also read: Trump skips White House Correspondents' Dinner again; Watch journalist & celebs take over red carpet Gervais described the comedy process as mathematical, where structure and timing produce a reaction. He explained that the ability to provoke laughter, regardless of personal agreement with the punchline, is what defines a joke's success. For him, the only censorship should be personal choice, not imposed regulation.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
World's longest hairball removed from teen's stomach at SMS Hosp
Photo/Agencies JAIPUR: The SMS Hospital doctors surgically removed a 210-centimetre-long trichobezoar (a collection of hair) from the stomach of a 14-year-old girl, a resident of Barara village in Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday. It is believed to be the longest trichobezoar ever recorded in the world. The previous record stood at 180 cm. The trichobezoar was entangled throughout the small intestine, which made the surgery a challenging task. Removing it in one piece was a major challenge, as breaking it could have necessitated multiple incisions in the intestines. In the operation, which lasted about two hours, and notably, no blood transfusion was required, the doctors managed to remove trichobezoar in one piece. The girl was brought to the SMS hospital with complaint of abdominal pain and vomiting for over a month. Upon examination, doctors found a hard mass in her abdomen stretching from the stomach to the navel and the upper right part of the abdomen. A CECT (Contrast Enhanced CT scan) revealed a swollen stomach containing an unusual object. The girl was diagnosed with a psychological condition known as Pica, where a person eats non-edible substances. "She began with ingesting chalk in her school since Class 6, influenced by her peers' behaviour, and later she started eating hair. As we operated upon her, we found wooden pieces, rubber bands, pieces of stones, threads and other non-food items closely packed in the bunch of hair forming a long trichobezoar," said Dr Jeevan Kankaria, of surgery department at SMS Hospital, "When we measured, we found it 210 cm long, which is the world's longest trichobezoar ever removed from the stomach of a patient. We will apply for a Guinness World Record for it," said Kankaria, who has four Guinness World Records in surgeries. The girl is now receiving treatment in the hospital. She will be discharged soon once the doctors ensure that her condition has improved. The girl is a Class 10 student and belongs to a farmer family.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Celebrity Designer Tosha Henderson shares her journey, Dress for Success
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)— Prepare to look your best at Dress for Success! Tosha Henderson has designed for celebrities such as Laverne Cox, Kanye West, Telma Hopkins, Nene Leakes, and many more. Dress for Success helps unemployed and underemployed women achieve economic independence by providing no-fee programs, development tools and professional attire to thrive in work and in life. More Cares Krewe Marissa Diaz took over the Cares Krewe to talk to miss Tosha Henderson, a popular local figure in the Shreveport-Bossier area, to hear about Dress for Success and passion for fashion. When asked about Project Runway, she said, 'Project Runway was a journey. It opened up the doors for me to travel more out of the country and do more big events, but Shreveport-Bossier is my heart.' Tosha is also the ambassador for Dress for Success. She said, 'To be an ambassador for something this special was full circle. I love giving back, and this is a beautiful way to give back.' The Cares Krewe continues its mission to highlight businesses that help the community grow. Designer aims to break fashionable Guinness World Record The Cares Krewe looks for deserving recipients each week! You can nominate someone to receive a surprise today. Just click here to submit your nomination or to give us an idea of an organization deserving of a surprise. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
UPI
a day ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Daredevil backflips on fire to break Guinness World Record
May 29 (UPI) -- A British daredevil broke a Guinness World Record when he performed 7 backflips in 30 seconds -- while on fire. Ryan Luney, 28, a daredevil with multiple Guinness World Records titles to his name, donned protective gear and was fully engulfed in flames for his acrobatic feat. "I was freezing," Luney told Guinness World Records. "I'm wearing a couple of layers underneath that are soaked in a gel and put in a fridge for 24 hours to help protect me from the fire -- it was extremely cold." Luney successfully set the record for the most standing backwards somersaults in 30 seconds (full body burn), and was immediately sprayed with a fire extinguisher and wrapped in a towel to extinguish the flames. "There are so many records for full-body burns that I didn't even think I could have a chance at even touching, so now that I've done this record, I've kind of got the bug again and I'm thinking I could do more," he said.
