Ricky Gervais to host Golden Globes in 2020
Hollywood’s biggest stars will be quaking in their boots with the news that brutal comedian Ricky Gervais is back as Globes host.
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Ricky Gervais will host the Golden Globes for a record fifth time in January, organisers have announced.
The annual film and television awards are seen by many as an important bellwether for Oscars success, but the ceremony’s more informal (and often alcohol-fuelled) tone is also a draw for stars and audiences.
Gervais’ no-holds-barred humour as host has drawn praise and criticism in previous years, when he took sharp digs at A-listers and the industry.
“Once again, they’ve made me an offer I can’t refuse. But this is the very last time I’m doing this, which could make for a fun evening,” Gervais said in a statement.
Lorenzo Soria, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, said Gervais’ return meant audiences should “expect the unexpected”.
Gervais hosted the ceremony for three consecutive years from 2010-12, before returning in 2016.
His most recent appearance saw Gervais crack risque jokes about former Olympic athlete and transgender activist Caitlyn Jenner, and scandal-hit director Roman Polanski.
Gervais, himself a multiple Golden Globe winner for The Office and Extras, greeted the crowd with the line: “Shut up, you disgusting, pill-popping deviant scum!”
Last year, 18.6 million viewers in the US tuned in for a ceremony hosted by comedian Andy Samberg and actress Sandra Oh.
The 77th annual ceremony will take place in Beverly Hills on January 6, with a total of 25 awards handed out for film and television across a three-hour broadcast.
In recent years, other major Hollywood awards such as the Oscars and Emmys have gone entirely without hosts, but US broadcaster NBC confirmed the Globes would not follow that trend.
“There is always a palpable electricity in the room when Ricky takes the Globes stage,” said Paul Telegdy, chairman of NBC Entertainment.
“We can’t wait to see what he has up his sleeve.”
Here are some of Ricky Gervais’ best jokes from Golden Globes gone past:
• “Looking at all the wonderful faces here today reminds me of the great work that’s been done this year … by cosmetic surgeons.”
• “For any of you who don’t know, the Golden Globes are just like the Oscars, but without all that esteem. The Golden Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton. A bit louder, a bit trashier, a bit drunker, and more easily bought. Allegedly. Nothing’s been proved.”
• “Actors aren’t just loved here in Hollywood, they are loved the world over. You could be in the third world and get a glimpse of a Hollywood star and it could make you feel a little bit better. You could be a little Asian child with no possessions and no money. But you could see a picture of Angelina Jolie and you’d think, ‘Mummy!’”
• “I hope I haven’t offended anyone. It’s not my fault. I like a drink as much as the next man. Unless the next man is Mel Gibson.”
• About the movie, I Love You Phillip Morris: “Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. So the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists, then. My lawyers helped with that joke.”
• About Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy: “She made her mark in comedy this summer by defecating into a sink. Amazingly, that’s still less demeaning than what most of you have done to make it in show business.”
• About Tom Hanks and Tim Allen: “What can I say about our next two presenters? The first is an actor, producer, writer and director whose movies have grossed over $3.5 billion at the box office. He’s won two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes for his powerful and varied performances starring in such films as Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Castaway, Apollo 13 and Saving Private Ryan. The other is Tim Allen.”
• “It’s going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking, or as Charlie Sheen calls it: Breakfast.”
• “There were a lot of big films that didn’t get nominated. Nothing for Sex and the City 2. I was sure the Golden Globes for special effects would go to the team that airbrushed that poster.”
• “Last year, our next presenter won both the Golden Globe and the Oscar for her work in Black Swan. This year, she took some time out to have a baby. Consequently, she’s been nominated for nothing. Really pathetic. But she learned that valuable lesson you all already knew — never put family first. Please welcome the very foolish Natalie Portman.”
Originally published as Ricky Gervais to host Golden Globes in 2020