I have gone back and forth on Ricky Gervais for years. I used to think he was hilarious, but at some point, I really started finding him so boorish. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good Hollywood roast, but Ricky became one of those dudes lamenting “cancel culture” (before that was a thing) and he seemed particularly thin-skinned for someone who talked so much sh-t. After his 2016 Golden Globe hosting performance, Ricky was basically thrown out of LA and no one wanted him to host anything ever again. I remembered that his 2016 Globe monologue was bad, but I’ve just been watching it again and holy sh-tballs. Everything has such a gross vibe when he starts out by telling transgender “jokes” and deadnaming Caitlyn Jenner, then the camera goes to Harvey Weinstein, who is sitting front and center. God, this wasn’t even four years ago! Jesus Christ.
Well, get used to all of that and more, because Gervais is coming back to host the 2020 Golden Globes.
After repeatedly stating he would never take the job again, Ricky Gervais is returning to host the Golden Globes for a record fifth time. The British comedian previously hosted the event from 2010 to 2012 and returned for the fourth time in 2016. Gervais’ hosting stints have been marked by infamous jokes at the expense of Hollywood A-listers such as Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lawrence as well as the organisers of the event the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).
“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,” said Gervais in a statement.
“There is always a palpable electricity in the room when Ricky takes the Globes stage. His return as master of ceremonies at the Golden Globes is much anticipated,” said Paul Telegdy, chairman of NBC Entertainment. “It is sure to make for an unexpected evening. We can’t wait to see what he has up his sleeve.”
On one side, I’m happy because it will shake up the awards season early on and possibly bring us all together to discuss and hate on Ricky Gervais. The awards shows have been increasingly tedious the past few years as far as hosting/jokes, so even though Gervais is a thin-skinned jackass who loves to punch down, at least we’ll move out of “safe” hosts. But yeah, it’s going to be a mess. Who will Ricky Gervais punch down on in 2020? Rape victims and feminists, is my guess. Who will he defend? Probably Louis CK (one of his good friends) and Harvey Weinstein.
Photos courtesy of WENN & the BBC/WENN.
I used to find him funny too, but now I find him REALLY annoying.
Him hosting is not a plus for me. I wish they’d just keep throwing money at Amy and Tina to do it, or have no host like the Emmys or whatever.
I have never found him funny – i have gone from finding him annoying to wanting to punch the smugness from his face.
Yes, Amy and Tina were by far the best hosts. Or get Tiffany Haddish and Maya Rudolf to do it! That would be a HOOT
Maya and Tiffany would be great too!
Yes, Amy and Tina or Maya and Tiffany. If rhey really need a white male, Stephen Colbert with Steve Carell. They have such an incredible chemistry. All are way funnier. I just watched Gervais and his whole routine “oh I don’t care, I don’t want to be here” is annoying as hell and I did not laugh once during entire monologue. Be offensive, criticize PC, but being funny an obligation here and just is not funny, he is straight up offensive without the funny part. People seem not to get the difference between making a joke that may offend and being straight up offense to the point it may invoke some nervous and awkward laughter. I don’t understand why they could not choose someone else, literally anyone else…
@SM, yes to all of that
He’s the only actually funny person ever hosting that. I hope he delivers
same
+1
yes!
Last I heard he was re-tweeting Trumpian racists and moaning about “PC culture,” like its 1999 or something.
I’ve never seen that on his twitter. He’s a passionate animal rights activist and the majority of his tweets are on that subject. Whenever he has a new project, he’ll tweet about that. But he’s definitely prickly.
https://twitter.com/rickygervais/status/1190985014198120448?lang=en
Blair White is one of those YouTube politicos on the right who actively posts racist b.s.
That’s pretty bad. Disappointing that he’d follow trash like her. Apparently his love for animals doesn’t extend to the human variety.
The Oscars got it right with no host, just get to the awards and the annoying monologues are old and boring. Last time Ricky was a toothless tiger and so nice. Unless he rips them a new butthole I say pass.
It’s harder for GG, because they have different format. The Oscars is line a concert, but GG have guests sitting behind tables, eating and drinking, guests engaging is way higher, and, what is the most important, scene is small, so it will be really complicated to do some huge numbers. GG is more talking and joking, so to change it it will be needed to change entire format of the show.
He’s a transphobe so No!!!
He isn’t transphobe for defending a person’s right not to have to wax testicles if they don’t want to.
I’ve also gone back & forth with him – I loved his early work (The Office, Extras), a shame he and Merchant seemed to have a falling out. I don’t think he punches down though; he took big shots at Hollywood royalty too. It was a bit “Dad jokey” last time, he sometimes veers into Dad jokes & 14 year old boy jokes, but when he’s good he’s good!
I just listened to him on Sam Harris’ podcast Making Sense andhe talks about his take on Cancel Culture. I surprisingly found his take pretty refreshing. I am a fan and this made me even more of one.
Ugh no. The goal is to increase viewers, not drive the few remaining away! Terrible choice.
These shows are so choreographed now with everything approved by 20 people to not offend anyone in audience or at home they’ve become even more bland than then already were. Host at this point is just to move show along. They need a good mc not a comedian anymore.
But probably 20 white guys so chances are they’ll still f**k it up
Well, I liked when he did it first time, but second, no, not really. We’ll see what will happen till January, But nobody on HFPA watches Netflix is a joke. I’d like to see fresh and young comedian, honestly.
Him? Seriously? After the way he’s recently acted on Twitter?
Töo bad no woman was available…
Lately he’s been searching his own name on Twitter (not hashtags or tags, just his own name) and replying to any tweets that mention him that aren’t complimentary with insults about how rich he is. Which hen causes his followers to pile on to that person! Ugh.
I never realized it before but he and Leonardo Dicaprio look alike.
That doesn’t sound like Ricky. He’s a bit of a misanthrope but he’s not a misogynist.
He’s gonna go after Caitlyn Jenner again (he’s got a lot of beef with some of the transpeople, as seen on his Twitter, so he won’t let it pass), will not go after Louis CK, but will not defend Weinstein either. He won’t go that far. That’s my prediction at least.
I’m not a fan, to be honest. I like his jokes usually but not his delivery, which makes otherwise solid jokes unfunny.
Massive fan. Anyone who can write ‘After Life’ and ‘Derek’ is a genius in my book.