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 Kathy

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Ricky Gervais is funny but last night he was just tasteless. I hope he hired body guards to get him to his limo after the show. Surely he doesn't expect to be invited to host again...it is one thing to be funny but it's an awards show, not a roast. The "toilet humor" about the president of the Foriegn Press.

By mary

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It only goes to show you, once again, that we don't take celebrities as seriously as they take themselves. No matter how many times you say it, we don't think you're as cool and above all others as you see yourself. Read the posts, the normal world thought Ricky was funny, even if he was a tad over the edge, but I think he said a lot that most of us feel anyway.

Wednesday 19 January

By Allen

Think Gervais was funny? Maybe in England or some other 19th century country. He's rather like a cinder in one's shoe, isn't he? Or perhaps a toad with a bad fungus.

By Francerants

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Ricky was funny. Celebrities will spend the next two months patting each other on the back with all these award shows, they need some tethering to planet earth.

Check out my top 2010 Celebutards picks.

bit.ly/ifEhnC

By Tammy

Totally GREAT!!!!! So sick of celebrities thinking they're in a bubble and can do whatever they want with no consequences! I never watch these shows where they give themselves these meaningless awards but I wish I'd watched this one! I think Ricky was awesome, hats off to you!!!!! You deserve the trophy!

By Reece

Well what did you expect?
Haven't you watched is animated HBO show The Rick Gervais show?
Did you miss his hour long monologue on the same network?
He dosen't pull punches, and he talks about anything.
Hollywood stars make too much money and think they are way too important. Good for ricky!

By sasha

Thank God for ricky gervais he made those awards tolerable and oh so funny. Yes being rude is funny. if you just want cutesy nauseating humor go watch the disney shows and majority of the other crap that's on TV that's so corny it makes me want to puke. Bravo Gervais....Satire still lives!!!

By MAGOOS

Amid a galaxy of egos, Gervais stood out as the most boorish of them. Crude, rude and not even funny, Gervais did his bit for off handed rhetoric. Ship him back to the UK.

By alex

Everything Ricky said was right on!!! He's sooo refreshing. It's so nice not to have to hear all that sucking noise and adoration by some people. The actors are just that...some aregood while others not so good....and so it goes. Thanks for the Satire and reality Ricky. Let's keep him in America!!!

By moodsinger

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Seriously? You thought it was funny? I love Ricky as much as anyone when he's in a movie, but his jokes fell flatter this year than last year, and that was just sad . ..

By Mike

Beyond putting an end to his not so hot career he was a total embarrasment. The problem is that things have gotten so bad, because of all the crappy reality shows, that some people actually think this is entertainment. Its not about to change soon folks. Thank god for Utube...entertainment is only a click away.

By Jeremy

So what if he didn't play to the room, what about the people who watch at home that is why this show is on television.

The same thing happend to Jon Stewart when he was hosting some show that people at home thought he did great but the people there didn't like it.

By Laughing Eagle

Seems like a lot of people here really loved Gervais' tactless "jokes".

It's amazing what envy will do to people who I'm sure are otherwise very nice...

By Heartbreak Kid

Lighten up, ya friggin' crybabies

By me

What a horrible remake of a Dean Martin roast!. They were funny.

By Diana Woods

Ricky made the big mistake of thinking he was funny or liked. He wasn't a good host even if he hadn't been so mean spirited. Funny doesn't mean you trash people behind their backs or in front of them. Who does he think he is? He's not ready for primetime. Even his movies aren't funny.

By Eileen

I LOVED Ricky last night! Wha, wha, wha...poor celebrities...can't take a little joke at your expense? Well guess what...Ricky was there to entertain us NOT you! And he did that very well. Celebrities are unbelievable babies. It's OK as long as he is making fun of someone other than me. Great Job Ricky. I hope you are asked back, because you were laugh out loud funny!

By bella

Ricky was Fantastic!!!!! Loved it!

Tuesday 18 January

By Diana

All those Hollywood uptights need to loosen up...have a drink, have a sense of humor...don't take yourself so serious.

By jivejerky

Mad respect for Ricky after slammin these self important overpaid f*cks.

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