Gervais Brings Sharp Tongue As Host Of Golden Globes Awards
Three times is the charm – if that's not the wrong word for Ricky Gervais' third year as sarcastic steward of the Golden Globes.
His monologue didn't shock quite as much as the way it did last year, but it had its share of insults.
"Nervous? Don't be," he grinned at the room-full of glitterati at the top of the show, aired by NBC on Sunday. "Tonight you get Britain's biggest comedian, hosting the world's second-biggest awards show on America's third-biggest network." He corrected himself: "It's fourth."
"The Golden Globes are to the Oscars," he went on, "what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton – a bit louder, a bit trashier, a bit drunker and more easily bought – allegedly."
After last year's shindig, when Gervais insulted nearly everyone in sight, an invitation back for the British comedian seemed doubtful.
But the Globes loves to court outrageous behavior. That meant another turn for Gervais as host. He explained he had been warned by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that were he to insult anyone on hand, or "offend any viewers, or cause any controversy whatsoever – they'll definitely invite me back next year as well."
As the evening progressed, only Madonna dared to challenge Gervais.
Introducing her as an awards presenter, he described Madonna as "just like a virgin," then erupted with a theatrical cough. Madonna fired back, "If I'm still just like a virgin, Ricky, then why don't you come over here and do something about it?" She paused. "I haven't kissed a girl in a few years – on TV."