Ricky Gervais has once again stirred the pot, this time targeting pop icon Justin Timberlake following his recent arrest for drink-driving. The British comedian, known for his sharp wit and no-holds-barred humor, took to social media to mock Timberlake, who was apprehended in Sag Harbor, New York, for allegedly driving under the influence.
Timberlake, who rose to fame as a member of the boyband NSYNC before launching a successful solo career, claimed he had only consumed “one martini” when he was pulled over. However, the arresting officer’s report painted a different picture, describing Timberlake’s eyes as “bloodshot and glassy” and noting a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. The singer reportedly failed all standardized field sobriety tests and refused to take a breathalyzer.
Gervais, never one to miss an opportunity for a jab, tagged Timberlake’s X/Twitter account and wrote, “Did you get the bottle of Dutch Barn Vodka I sent you the other day?” The comedian’s post quickly went viral, garnering over 2.2 million views and sparking a flurry of reactions from fans and followers.
The timing of Gervais’s comment was particularly pointed, as he recently became a co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery, the company that produces Dutch Barn Vodka. While some fans found the joke hilarious, others felt it was in poor taste, given the seriousness of the charges against Timberlake.
Timberlake’s arrest has cast a shadow over his ongoing “Forget Tomorrow” world tour. The singer is scheduled to perform in Chicago on June 21, but it’s unclear how the arrest will impact his tour dates. Timberlake has been charged with one count of DWI and two traffic violations for failing to stop at a stop sign and not staying in the correct lane. He is due back in court on July 26, a date that coincides with a scheduled performance in Poland.
The arrest is the latest in a series of public controversies for Timberlake. In 2019, he publicly apologized to his wife, Jessica Biel, after being photographed holding hands with his “Palmer” co-star Alisha Wainwright. Timberlake admitted to a “strong lapse in judgment” but insisted that nothing inappropriate had happened. More recently, his reputation took a hit following the release of Britney Spears’s memoir, “The Woman in Me,” which detailed their tumultuous relationship and alleged infidelities.
Despite these controversies, Timberlake has remained a vocal supporter of Spears, particularly during her conservatorship battle. In June 2021, he tweeted, “No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body. We hope the courts, and her family make this right and let her live however she wants to live.”
Gervais’s latest dig at Timberlake is in line with his long-standing reputation for skewering celebrities. The comedian has made a career out of his irreverent humor, most notably during his stints as host of the Golden Globes, where he famously roasted Hollywood’s elite. His 2020 Golden Globes monologue, in particular, was a masterclass in biting satire, taking aim at everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to Apple.
The reaction to Gervais’s post was mixed. Some fans praised the comedian for his quick wit and clever promotion of Dutch Barn Vodka, while others criticized him for being insensitive. One fan commented, “The best post on X today, hands down,” while another wrote, “Too soon, Ricky.” The debate over whether Gervais’s joke was funny or inappropriate continues to rage on social media.
Meanwhile, Timberlake’s mugshot, showing his bloodshot eyes, has also gone viral, with many users mocking the singer for his appearance. One viral post featured a video of Timberlake dancing at a performance, captioned, “Sir, I’m going to need you to step out of the vehicle and walk in a straight line,” poking fun at his alleged inability to follow police instructions.
As Timberlake prepares for his court appearance and continues his world tour, the fallout from his arrest remains to be seen. The “Cry Me a River” singer is scheduled to perform in several cities across the U.S. before heading to Europe for shows in Poland, the UK, and other countries. His latest album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” released in March, marks his first solo effort in six years.
In the meantime, Gervais’s quip serves as a reminder of the comedian’s penchant for controversy and his ability to turn even the most serious situations into fodder for humor. Whether Timberlake will respond to Gervais’s jab remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Ricky Gervais is not one to hold back, no matter the circumstances.
