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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Tags: ricky gervais

Comments

(92)

Monday 17 January

By ACG

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Geez Ricky, why don't you just punch everyone in the face? Even that wouldn't have been as bad as those jokes you made.

Tuesday 18 January

By charles

shut up Mr. Piazza!

By trishmartin45

These Hollyweird types need to lighten up...they all tend to take themselves way too seriously. They are adults who act like children, pretend to be someone else for money, and then get pissed if someone makes fun of them. Get over it guys! You only lend credence to it when you call attention to what's been said. Ignore it, grow up and MOVE ON!

By APerfectGentlman

Jo Piazza, didn't you used to work for the New York Daily News? Sheesh. Toughen up, cupcake. You seem to have gone soft since you left.

By Genesiswozzer

Gervais was brilliant, the only reason we kept watching this vile indulgance. God bless our English tell it like it is humour! It's called "taking the piss" Most scary moment? Natalie Portman and her terrifying extended cackle!

By janice

SORRY! RICKY'S GOTTA GO!
DON'T LIKE MEAN PEOPLE ...... NO WAY, NO HOW!!

By Juli perna

He was drunk..but I have to admitt I he kept me awake.. The show boring till I saw Joli facial expression's too Brad .. too funny...

By James

BooHoo. "You said something bad about me and now I will see that any film you are in wont get nominated". Is that what the Golden Globes are about?

By kayskollectibles304

Terrible show. Terrible Host. Rude, Mean Spirited are just a few adjectives for his behavior. He's not funny at all.
L Kovach

By Lissette- Miami

One of the best shows I have seen. Ricky was hilarious, I was laughing out loud.

Everything he said was true. Who saw the tourist? he was brilliant..

By I KNOW FUNNY

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! POLITICALLY CORRECTNESS IS DEATH!
His joke about "Thank God I'm an Athiest, is funny now, but while on God's Judgement Seat, it won't be at all humorous for Ricky.. ... That Said, ALSO it is true that......IN A WORLD...

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!!!

Wednesday 19 January

By Prema

No one laughed because everyone was mortified that their images were being shattered--everyone was trying to maintain their pretense you know--to the other celebriites--so fake--and they don't like it being made known. Whatever--I think he did great!!

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