Oh Ricky, You Weren't Fine: Gervais Banned From Globes Hosting Duties?

By Rob Shuter Posted Jan 17th 2011 11:02AM

Ricky Gervais trashed Angelina Jolie, Charlie Sheen, Hugh Hefner, Mel Gibson, God, Tom Cruise (and the list goes on) last night when he hosted the Golden Globes. But the joke that got him in the most trouble was when he made fun of Philip Berk, the current head of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA for short).

"Ricky will not be invited back to host the show next year, for sure," a member of the HFPA tells me, adding that Gervais' relentlessly mean shtick could have even larger consequences. "For sure any movie he makes he can forget about getting nominated. He humiliated the organization last night and went too far with several celebrities whose representatives have already called to complain."

Berk verified on Monday that Ricky has ticked off the HFPA, telling the Hollywood Reporter that the two-time host went too far with his jokes aimed at other celebs.

"He definitely crossed the line," Berk said. "And some of the things were totally unacceptable. But that's Ricky. Any of the references to individuals is certainly not something the Hollywood Foreign Press condones."

This opening monologue at Sunday's ceremony set the tone with Gervais announcing, "It's going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking -- or as Charlie Sheen calls it, breakfast."

Next the British comedian went after Angelina who was sitting at table one and not laughing when he said, "It seems like everything this year was 3-dimensional -- except for the characters in The Tourist," Gervais said. "I haven't even seen 'The Tourist' -- who has?"

However, the remark that upset the most attendees was when he described Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor's performances in 'I Love You, Phillip Morris' as "two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. So, the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists, then." The not-so-subtle dig at Tom Cruise and John Travolta (we can presume) was met with boos and groans.

Humble Pie was soon served up by Cruise's 'Tropic Thunder' co-star, Robert Downey Jr., after Gervais made fun of him for his long-conquered troubles with the law and drug addiction.

"Aside from the fact that it's been hugely mean-spirited with mildly sinister undertones, I'd say the vibe of the show's pretty good so far, wouldn't you?" Downey Jr. asked.

After that, Gervais knew he had lost the crowd, and his few remaining appearances on stage were met with stifled laughs and stern faces. A popular Twitter phrase during this part of the show: "Where's Ricky Gervais?"

Ricky explained his nearly hour-long absence in comments to BBC News a day after the show. "I was allowed to choose who I would introduce in advance. I obviously chose presenters who I had the best jokes for, and who I knew had a good sense of humor."

He added, "Everyone took it well and the atmosphere backstage and at the after show was great."

To make matters worse, though, Gervais' last words in the telecast were, "Thank God for making me an atheist." Smooth move!

"Ricky blew it big time. It's one thing to make fun of celebrities but it's another to make them totally uncomfortable," an insider tells me. "People in that room were furious but had to sit and smile because the camera's were on them. It really says something when several people who attended said they would have felt safer with Kathy Griffin hosting."

Ricky, if you're going to be naughty, don't forget to also be NICE!

Too Rude! Too Funny! React to Ricky on Facebook

► Jo Piazza: Yes, Ricky Gervais Was Too Nasty at the Golden Globes

Tags: golden globes, ricky gervais

Comments

(1031)

Monday 17 January

By jen

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

He's my hero too Jason. Becky WTF does MLK day have to do with loving Ricky Gervais, You're a moron with no sense of humor. Oh and by the way if you had a run in with any of those celebrities they would no doubt treat you like garbage ( don't doubt it for a second )

By Casey

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Becky, that's a fat girls name.

By SweetyPy

Hey Jen and Casey-Don't hold back. Can't YOU express yourself without name calling! "a moron, a fat girl!" Oh Brother-how old are you two??

By Bonbon

OMG What big crybabies, Ricky was hilarious, lighten up with your big heads out there, they showed Angelina at one point and she actually looked like she was taking it in stride, President of Foreign press is a huge baby, Ricky was just joking!

By Lisa

Thought Ricky was HILARIOUS!!

By Eric

I thought everything was OK, but knew he was losing the audience when Robert Downey JR. came up mentioning how "mean spirited" the show was. But I agree with others, he really didn't say anything that people don't talk about anyway. This was no celebrity roast. Robert Downey did have problems with alcohol. Demi Moore's ex-husband is old enough to be her current husband's father. Tom Cruise and John Travolta's sexual orientation has been fodder for decades and I think they and their reps "doth protest too much".

By Paige

I agree, he was hilarious and only said what everyone really wishes they could say anyway. These people need to get over themselves. With very few exceptions the majority of them are overpaid, whining, crybabies who can't laugh at themselves but have no problem living on the money they make making fun of others!

Tuesday 18 January

By goldilocks

Vote down Vote up Report this

If he really won't be invited back, too bad he didn't just do all the Mel Gibson jokes they told him he couldn't do- he should have just gone for it!

By cmag

ricky was hiliarious. he is the best thing on that show. i will see his act and movies anytime. the young hollywood group that is now grownup (hanks, tim allen, downey) all good actors, have lost their sense of humor. sorry the joke is on people whose lives are public jokes.

By Erik

Ricky was brilliant, and if you do your homework there were a lot of people in that room who felt the same. The Globes have never been interesting until last year and this year's broadcasts. People who can't laugh at their own dreck are boring... hence, the HFPA (wankers), and most of the Hollywood/Sorkin "elite".

By mike

I thought he was the worst MC the show has ever had. No need to go on national TV and be so rude/hateful to the show and its guest.

By MARYANN

I GUESS YOU NEVER HEARD OF MR.DON RICKLES !

By riverdew149

I thought that he was funny. It really wasn't that bad.

By PLG

What did everyone expect? He went on Ellen last week and said he must not have been BAD enough last year since they invited him back and that he would make sure he was BAD enough this time. Personally think it was a good PR move, who is everyone talking about in the offices today?!?

Let me put it this way....I watched it. He must have done something right.

By Danielle

I totally agree with you!! What do they expect? He was funny and truthful. Leno, Conan or David make fun of these people but does anyone say anything????

By savannarichie

Excellent point!

Talk show hosts say this sort of stuff ALL THE TIME and they hardly ever get called out on it.

By Dwight Pettit

...and for this we had to outsource? We couldn't have found someone at least, or even MORE offensive, here at home?

By Claire

I hope you are joking.

By great granny

I was offended for the last statement he made about God. The stars are guilty of all the statements he made. While they were true, it was in poor taste to remind the viewing public of such. Personally i was disappointed in Ricky. Have watched and enjoyed his movies. Will wait, watch and see what Ricky does to repair his image.

Page 5 of 52