Ricky Gervais is hosting the Golden Globes on NBC for his fourth time this coming Sunday, which makes me happy. He hosted the Globes from 2010-2012 and is returning after three very successful years of Amy Poehler and Tina Fey doing host duty. How did the discussion get back to Ricky doing the Globes? I am sure it had to do with ratings, maybe sadism was a catalyst, I don’t know. Ricky claims he turned them down at first. I am an award show junky so I would watch were it hosted by a sleeping duck, but I am still optimistic. The Hollywood Reporter interviewed Ricky recently and it’s a good read. The whole article is here. Below are a few highlights:

NBC is the only broadcast network with zero nominations this year.
Yeah, well, I’m surprised they did that well. That’s a joke, don’t print that!

Is it true that you were the one who brought John Oliver to Jon Stewart’s attention for The Daily Show?
Yeah, I think my input has probably been greatly exaggerated. I don’t think I had any influence other than Jon asking me if someone might fit in.

You carry a pint of beer onstage at the Globes. Do you bring that yourself or does the Beverly Hilton provide it?
I think it’s a half. I don’t think it’s a full pint. I just keep having them top it off backstage. They provide my beer for me. I do love the idea of me turning up with a six pack, like I’m having a barbecue. Shorts, six pack, and then it’s straight out on stage. That’s sort of what I want to be like. I don’t like the fuss. I don’t want rehearsals, I don’t sit down and have a team of writers. I come up with ideas as I go along — if they’re good enough I remember them, and then I go out there and do it.

Have you looked at the nominations this year? Are you rooting for anything?
No, I haven’t seen a lot of films. The first film I’ve seen and I absolutely love was Black Mass.

Johnny Depp was snubbed, actually.
Wait, they nominated The Tourist but not this one? What’s going on!?

You’ve never done any musical numbers or skits. Why?
Who wants to see that? Who wants to see someone showing me they can sing and dance? I don’t care. Tell me a joke.

[From The Hollywood Reporter]

How quickly he tap dances away from that last question about musical numbers. There is nothing Ricky wants to avoid more than discussing his former over-moussed, skinny tie wearing Seona Dancing days. Bitter Heart, Ricky?

If I am being honest, I love Ricky. I didn’t always; I disliked The Office (his) and held it against him. Then I watched Extras and fell in the kind of love that greatly obfuscates my view of what is good and rational (this happens all the time, just fyi). I understand fully that Ricky lives so far up his own @$$ he pays his colon rent but I generally find him funny. I hope Ricky is on his game not just cruel like his last stint in 2012. In a year that offers bear violation and a US election as material, he should have enough topical material to avoid alienating the entire room. Why is Stephen Merchant not co-hosting with him? Couldn’t you just see Stephen slowly slide his hand over Ricky’s mouth when he is the only one laughing at his jokes? I also want to see what Jane Fallon is wearing, I usually dig her red carpet style.

Photo credit: WENN