Yes, Ricky Gervais Was Too Nasty at the Golden Globes [Video]
Pop-Ed: We love a good joke at Hollywood's expense. Heck, we like lots of good jokes at Hollywood's expense. But at last night's Golden Globes, even we felt a little yucky when
Ricky Gervais stuck his toe on the line of good taste and then decided to dive headfirst right over it.
Gervais started out by ripping into Charlie Sheen, admittedly an easy target, so easy that those jokes about Sheen being drunk by breakfast were given a pass. Who among us hasn't laid into Sheen these past few months? It was an ample way to start.
But then Ricky went after a weaker target, 'The Tourist.' Sure it was a critical and commercial bomb, but Johnny and Angie aren't exactly the kind of stars who laugh along with the joke. "I haven't even seen 'The Tourist,'" Gervais said. "Who has?"
He then dug into the Hollywood Foreign Press (his hosts for the evening) for allegedly nominating 'Burlesque' after being bribed with tickets to a Cher concert. He continued by mocking Cher herself, saying it wasn't a halfway decent bribe anyway because no one has wanted to go to a Cher concert since 1975. Dude, what did Cher of all people ever do to you, Ricky?
Watch the monologue after the jump.
Gervais then mentioned that the special effects team from 'Sex and the City 2' should have been nominated for making the cast look younger on the movie poster.
"Girls, we know how old you are. I saw one of you on an episode of 'Bonanza.'" Apparently, Ricky's mom never told him the two taboos in comedy are still a woman's age and her weight.
His most shocking joke of the night came when he mentioned that Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor were heterosexual actors who played gay characters in the film 'I Love You Philip Morris.'
"So the complete opposite of some Scientologists, then," Gervais said. He admitted his lawyers had vetted that joke. Even that didn't settle the groans echoing throughout the ballroom.
Later in the show, Gervais introduced Bruce Willis as Ashton Kutcher's dad. Come on, that one is just dated.
Introducing presenter Robert Downey Jr., Gervais went through a list of the actor's films and added, "But many of you in this room probably know him best from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail."
Downey Jr., felt compelled to dig back at Gervais on behalf of his fellow celebrities.
"Aside from the fact that it's been hugely mean-spirited with mildly sinister undertones, I'd say the vibe of the show has been pretty good so far, wouldn't you?" Downey Jr. sniped back.
And when Gervais introduced Tim Allen with little fanfare, Allen snapped back that he would always remember Gervais as a "slightly chubby but kind comedian, neither of which he is right now."
Here was the problem with Gervais' jokes: He didn't play to the room. He went after soft targets with some hard jokes. There's a reason every Oscar host gives Jack Nicholson hell every year -- it's because Nicholson laughs back from behind his shades and knows how to play along. Most of the time at last night's awards, no one was laughing with or at Gervais.
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That's why Ricky's great - because he doesn't bother about playing to the room or pampering privileged and humorless celebrities! Like Colbert's correspondent's dinner from a few years back, this just proves that even if the room turns on you, it can still make for some bitingly funny viewing at home.
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Amen! The poor celebrities can't take a joke, boo hoo...
No sympathy here
Gervais was very funny!
Ricky Gervais was superfunny. it's plain offensive to trick people pay money for sh-t like The Tourist and the like so I think celebs got their fair share of sh-t. they can go soothe their pain with all the money they have now.I love reading this , So does My boyfriend .he is almost 11year older than me .i met him via age'lessmate.c'om a nice place for seeking age le ss love.which gives you a chance to make your life better and open opportunities for you to meet the attractive young girls and treat you like a king. Maybe you wanna check it out or tell your friends..
I've never understood what was so funny with Steve Colbert.He's just another "politically correct" Liberal Establishment hack...
Haha Ricky is awesome, although the Hugh Hefner joke left a bad image in my head.
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that one was laugh out loud funny!
Gervais did these jokes for the home viewers, not so the room full of celebs or the star Fers outside screaming at the red carpet would like him. There's something to be said for that.
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That's brilliance. We know the show and industry's a joke. He knows it, too. The people in the room, not so much.
I hate to tell the Hollywood celebs but that was entertaining. And if they can't take that level of teasing, then I don't know. I guess they wouldn't do well in the real world. I usually think award shows are incredibly boring but I thought it was funny this year. Learn to laugh at yourself Hollywood.
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I liked how he left it to the viewer to decide which Scientologist he was talking about. There are so many it would be hard to sift through all of them. Hmmmmm...now who could it (they) be??
Robert Downey Jr...terrible actor.Ironman was a joke with him as the lead. Next time find a man to star in the lead
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Robert Downey Junior is witty and entertaining!! I Love to watch him!
Screw those celebrities. Viva Ricky!!!
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I thought Gervais did an excellent job. If they, celebrities, can't take a joke or some criticism then they need to make a new career choice. In fact I can think of a few H-wood people I'd like to see make a new career choice.
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I thought Ricky was really funny!
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I thought Ricky was hilarious. He made the whole show . I actually wished he had been on more than he was . The guy is great!
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I think the author of this article needs to chill out a bit. Ricky was making fun of celebrities who make millions of dollars for doing next to nothing. And after watching the video, it seems like everyone was laughing and having a good time. Sorry not everyone licks these peoples feet.
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So you didn't actually watch the show. There were many awkward silences and groans. It also looked like he omitted some planned remarks in some of the later intros he made because things were getting so tense. He thoroughly offended the head HFPA. He won't be asked back.
I usually enjoy Ricky but not tonight. There's a fine line between good natured ribbing and mean spirited nastiness. He crossed that line. It was just bad taste. I doubt he will be asked to host again.
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He very clearly said he didnt want to be asked back. It was hysterical, you need to loosen up.