Ricky Gervais To Host 2016 Golden Globes
Ricky Gervais is known as one of the most controversial comics out there, but that won’t stop him from heading up his fourth Golden Globes next year.
Psssst!#HesBack#GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/KqBIsVMkQt
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) October 26, 2015
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced today that Gervais has signed on to host the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards, set to broadcast for a live three-hour spot on January 10, 2016. The show will be hosted at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Gervais hosted the awards for three consecutive years between 2010-2102 before being replaced with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Until now, that is. The three consecutive year-long contract for Fey and Poehler ended this year, and contrary to Gervais’ claim that the HFPA wouldn’t invite him back, they did, and this will be Gervais’ fourth time serving as emcee of the show.
The announcement that Gervais will be hosting the Golden Globes came less than a week after the announcement that Chris Rock will be hosting the 2016 Oscars in February.
NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt released a statement regarding Gervais hosting the event.
“We’re excited to have Ricky Gervais back to host the most enjoyable awards show of the season in his own inimitable way. Disarming and surprising, Ricky is ready to honor — and send up — the best work of the year in film and television. Fasten your seat belts.”
Lorenzo Soria, President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, chimed in on Gervais as well.
“Ricky Gervais left us with a lasting impression and we are thrilled to have him back in our show as we honor the best in film and television. His off-the-cuff wit and quirky charm will surely have the room and audiences around the world at the edge of their seats.”
Gervais informally confirmed the good news by retweeting the post by the Golden Globes, as well as posting his own tweets, including one with the photo from the Golden Globes tweet, declaring, “RT to raise anxiety.”
I'm making a list. I'm checking it twice. Gonna find out who's naughty and nice. #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/Q4ZiTjQMCP
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) October 26, 2015
Gervais’ previous hosting endeavors for the Golden Globes did manage to net solid ratings, but there were some debates about if Gervais’ comedy went too far. In fact, in 2012, former HFPA President Philip Berk, while declaring the show “terrific,” stated that Gervais “definitely crossed the line.” Such comments led Gervais to swear off hosting the show again, telling his agent to “never let me be persuaded to do it again [though]. It’s like a parachute jump.”
However, the fact that Gervais’ final stint in 2012 attracted nearly 17 million viewers and a majority of positive reviews caused NBC to take note. The broadcasting company reminded the public of Gervais’ success in their press release. Barry Adelman, Exec. V.P., Television for Dick Clark productions and executive producer of the 73rd Golden Globes shared his excitement.
“What will he say? What will he do? We can’t wait to find out, and we are so happy that he’s back!”
All nominations for the 2016 Golden Globes, which will be voted on by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, will be announced December 10.
[Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]
