The Golden Globes are a fake awards show basically invented by a small circle of foreign journalists so that they could go to parties and hang out with Johnny Depp (remember my thesis: foreigners love Johnny Depp). The only reason to ever think about or consider watching them is to see what Ricky Gervais will say, so of course they’re having him back to host again this year. The part where the HFPA was supposedly mad at him for making fun of them was all hype. They’ll let him say whatever he wants because he gives them exactly what they need — to seem relevant.
The group, composed of 83 entertainment journalists from around the world, voted Wednesday to bring back the performer for a third consecutive year, though a small but vocal minority dissented. Sixteen out of the 62 members who voted were opposed to Gervais’ return, according to a person who was present at the meeting but asked not to be identified because of the confidential nature of the proceedings. In a statement on the Golden Globes website, the HFPA said the group was moved to bring back Gervais after meeting with NBC official Doug Vaughan.
A blog post on the HFPA site acknowledged that “while many welcome Gervais’ return, not everyone is happy with the decision because last year his blunt one-liners targeting big-name celebrities caused anger and resentment in some quarters.” The upcoming ceremony is set for Jan. 15 and will air on NBC.
Gervais also took a shot at the HFPA leadership. “I had to help the HFPA president off the toilet and pop his teeth back in,” he said of the then-HFPA President Philip Berk. The HFPA sent strong signals immediately after the show that it would not invite Gervais back. Berk said afterward that Gervais “definitely crossed the line” and that “some of the things were totally unacceptable.”
However, the members who voted for Gervais said that the actor’s quips, and the buzz that came with them, in fact informed their vote. [LATimes]
And for our patrons who still prefer to order off the old menu, Billy Crystal will be hosting the Oscars.