Yes, Ricky Gervais Was Too Nasty at the Golden Globes [Video]

By Jo Piazza Posted Jan 17th 2011 06:00AM

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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Comments

(92)

Monday 17 January

By As I See It

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Dorita,

Ricky was inappropriate. It wasn't a roast. It was an awards show. Just because you don't see anything wrong with his boorishness and cheap shots that's your problem. Both Robert Downey and Tom Hanks put him in his place. I think he's done in Hollywood now. Back to the UK. He royally screwed himself.

By Melody

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@As I See It - The "awkward silences and groans" were because the place was full of pampered, narcissistic, over-paid egomaniacs who believe they are "untouchable" because of the grandiose images they have of themselves. Who knows... maybe they COULDN'T laugh because of all the Botox. And the raised eyebrows you spotted in the room?... brow lifts, lol. Maybe the "holier than thou" crowd in the audience wasn't laughing, but normal, real people at home were rolling on the floor. GO RICKY!!! You speak for normal hard-working Americans!

Tuesday 18 January

By I KNOW FUUNY

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I only saw these clips, but RICKY IS and WAS HILARIOUS!! I agree with others here F those who can't take a joke. The more outrageous the better
A world without Sam Kinison, George Carlin or a Bill Hicks absolutely NEEDS a RICKY GERVAIS FOR SURE! I hope his popularity soars as it should!!!

By Gabe

I only watched the Golden Globes this year just to witness Ricky Gervais rip into the celebraties. I heard so much about last years Golden Globes that I didn't want to miss it this year... I was so glad that I watched it because he made that show an enjoyable experience for me. He didn't hold back and I'm glad he didn't.

By ms

Ricky was funny. He roasted the celebrities and delighted the audience. The author of this article seems like too much of an insider who sports fans would call a homer.

By lindy

Sorry, but i agree with most everyone else; Ricky was very funny. He only said what most of us think. Why tiptoe around these celebrities feelings? Jeez

By lita

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I dont know what most of us think, I know what I think and I just don't see how this man is funny. In my opinion there is no intellenge to is jokes he goes for the lowest kind of like middle school kids, that are jerks but think they are funny. It seems that as long as its rude its funny.

By Sian

Agree with what other people have said, why should Ricky bow down to these people? If they can't laugh at themselves then they're in the wrong industry. Also I have read interviews where he has said that if he's asked back again then he hasn't pushed it far enough. I'd much rather he took it a bit too close to the knuckle than play it safe.

By Rach,

I reckon most of them would be able to laugh at themselves. Except maybe ridiculously uptight people like Angelina Jolie.

By Suzy

Celebrities should be prepared to be slightly "roasted," while in
attendance of an awards show. Especially a show that's very laid-back like The Golden Globes. However, Ricky Gervais was a bit harsh in his jokes. Most of them were okay (not very funny, but not bad) but the joke that made me feel bad for one of the actors
was the "past drug addiction," of Robert Downey Jr. That was hitting a bit below the belt. But that's JMO.

By Sherry

I thought he was absolutely awesome. American actors take themselves WAY too seriously and can't seem to take a joke. I thought he was the best part of the night - too bad they held him hostage through most of the second half of the show.

By M

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.

By film buff

Who wants to hear sanctimonious very very rich people prattle on in their narcissistic glory? Yuck. You go, Ricky! Knock
'em down!

By YellowRose3218

Ricky said things that others would have been to afraid to say.
And he was hilarious. If the hollywooders cant take a joke, they are in the wrong business. Some of those people think they should be off limits, Ricky was happy to show them different.
Ricky did a great job.

By JB

totally agree !!! As a lover of Award Shows...he was a nightmare and ruined the show for me. He was like a male version of Kathy Griffin..

By kaden

I THOUGHT IT WAS AWSOME, DO THEY EVER THINK ABOUT HOW THEY BASH PALIN BUSH AND CHENEY, WAS NICE TO SEE THE LOW LIFE'S GET IT RIGHT BACK, THEY DID NOT LIKE IT, NOT THAT THEY WILL BE NICER AND KINDER TO PEOPLE, THEY ARE TO DRUG ENDUCED TO KNOW BETTER

By Sally

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I guess you're too dumb to realize half of Hollywood are Republicans and actually went out and campaigned for Bush during his second run for President. Stop lumping everyone into one catagory.

By Phil

Ricky Gervais was too mean! Period!

By david

I CAN NOT STAND THIS NON FUNNY GAY BRIT WHO PICKED THIS FRUIT PIE TO BE BE ON THE SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Jimbo

We turned it off because of the tasteless, and tacky jokes.

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