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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The author of the article ripped Ricky Gervais for ripping the celebs. The difference: Ricky was genuinely funny; the author is neither funny nor in tune with what people enjoy.
It takes an unusual ego (and talent) to be an actor. I think they can handle some gentle-jabbing that is all "part of the show." If not, step out of the limelight you chose to be in.
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He was perfectly hilarious! Screw the poor baby celebs who can't laugh at themselves. The one about helping the head of the HFPA of the toilet and popping in his teeth made me spew my drink.XD
Laugh out loud funny! He wasn't on the show enough imo. Go Ricky!!
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Loved it, Ricky was great!
The person who wrote this is too entrenched in the Hollywood scene, and thus too defensive of it to even take humor in jokes that all of America enjoy.
Thanks Ricky for having a microphone and saying what Americans want to hear.
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So there was an emcee that didn't treat Elitist Hollywood with all the butt kissing they believe they was "entitled". Ricky Gervais's humor is known to be caustic. It's like being surprised at the insults if you hire Don Rickles to emcee. If you wanted cutesy humor, then hire a Hollywood A-list cmoedian like Billy Crystal or Robin Williams. By the way: GREAT JOB MR. GERVAIS!
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loved him--he is fearless--everything he said was accurate--about the movie the Tourist, Charlie Sheen etc. All accurate--he just put a spin on it. Hysterical. I love this man.
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So, i was watching him after reading the article, hoping to think he was an awful human being, but i was laughing so hard...sorry everything he said was true! Go Ricky!!
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Good for Ricky! If you can't laugh at yourself and your peers, then go home! I love Ricky and his humor. Just like Kathy Griffin - he isn't afraid to say what most are thinking, and put the self-centered A listers in their place. This show is just too over the top with everyone kissing everyone elses butt and I thought Ricky was just great! Loved Tina Fey and Steve Carell - they were soo funny and along the same line as Ricky. PS - what was with all the bad hair last night?
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well, your name is Jimbo.
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Ricky was fantastic! The Globes knew what they were getting when they asked him back for a second time. Celebrities take themselves way too serious. They all need to get a sense of humor...
Bravo Mr. Gervais!
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Screw Ricky...send his back to Britain!
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Ricky is funny and pooooor celebs whose lives are out there for all to see and know have to take it in the chin, that's part of the job too!
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Grow a thicker skin folks! When you hire Ricky G you know what you get...it would be like hiring Howard Stern and then getting upset that he has lesbians making out on stage...hollywood needs to not take itself not so serious...there are real people with real problems out here. Boo hoo....
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I thought he had writers for those jokes. At any rate, some were funny but shocking. Oh well never hurts to see the celebs knocked back a few steps. Anytime, anyone can take a dig a Angelina, tramp husband stealer, I absolutely love it.
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Like many viewers, I only watched because Ricky was hosting. I really could care less if he offended any of the overpaid Hollywood stars. Hollywood offends groups of people on a daily basis anyway.
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Ricky was great, he said everything people were dying to hear.
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I don't even know who this jerk is. Actually I don't care who this jerk is and I think that most of the world doesn't care either. These people are relevant only to their small environment. Most of the people he slammed have more talent than he will ever have.
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Awww, did he offend you? How cute.
We've found a HFPA member. Grow a pair and quit crying.
I thought Ricky was awesome! He's hilarious and down right entertaining. I doubt, however, he'll be hosting next year. We will see.
A lot of people WERE laughing and they should, with their holier than thou attitudes.
Even us southern girls can handle a good joke or two!
CSB
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I felt he went a little too far. Poking fun is one thing, being mean-spirited is another. And I did not appreciate him ending the show with his remark about thanking God for making him an atheist, so not funny.
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