Ricky Gervais' Golden Globes Hosting Years: A Wild Ride Through Hollywood
Hello there, movie buffs and comedy lovers! Today, we're diving into the hilariously controversial world of Ricky Gervais' Golden Globes hosting years. From 2010 to 2012, and then again in 2016 and 2020, the British comedian left no stone unturned in his scathing, yet side-splitting takes on Hollywood's elite. So, grab your popcorn, and let's revisit these iconic hosting stints! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and ricky gervais golden globes host years.
The Golden Globes' Most Controversial Host: Ricky Gervais
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of each hosting year, let's talk about why Ricky Gervais was the perfect storm for the Golden Globes. With his deadpan delivery, unapologetic honesty, and no-filter approach, Gervais brought a much-needed breath of fresh air to the often-stuffy awards show. He wasn't afraid to poke fun at the industry's biggest stars, and that's exactly what made his hosting gigs so memorable.
2010: The First Time Around
In his first hosting gig, Ricky Gervais set the tone for what was to come. He opened the show with a monologue that was equal parts hilarious and cringe-inducing, leaving the audience both laughing and squirming in their seats. Gervais took aim at everyone from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association to Mel Gibson, and even managed to make fun of his own lack of fame in the U.S. This was just a taste of what was to come over the next decade.
The Mel Gibson Joke
One of the most memorable moments from Gervais' first hosting gig was his joke about Mel Gibson. Referring to Gibson's controversial past, Gervais quipped, "I'd like to quash rumors that the only reason The Hangover 2 isn't doing well is because it's in Chinese. The reason it's not doing well is because it's a sequel." Ouch!
2011: The Return of the Roast Master
Ricky Gervais returned for a second hosting gig in 2011, and he was more ruthless than ever. This time around, he took aim at everyone from the HFPA to Hollywood's ageism, and even managed to make a joke about the Charlie Sheen scandal that was unfolding at the time.
The HFPA Joke
In his opening monologue, Gervais took aim at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization behind the Golden Globes. "The Hollywood Foreign Press is made up of around 83 journalists, both foreign and Hollywood. Most of them are German. But then again, everybody's German at the moment," he joked, referencing the popular TV show at the time, Glee.
2012: The Host Who Wouldn't Leave
For his third consecutive year hosting the Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais was back with a vengeance. This time around, he took aim at everything from Hollywood's obsession with youth to the state of the world. He even managed to make a joke about the then-recent death of Kim Jong-il, the leader of North Korea.
The Hollywood Ageism Joke
In his opening monologue, Gervais took aim at Hollywood's obsession with youth. "I've come up with a new game. It's called 'Spot the Loser.' It's a bit like 'Spot the Difference,' but without the fun bit. I'll give you an example. There's a guy over there saying, 'I'm not doing as many movies as I used to do.' You look at him and say, 'You look great, what are you, 35?' 'No, I'm 62.' 'Oh, well, you look great. You look about 35.' 'No, I'm 62.' 'Well, you certainly look 62.'"
2016: The Comeback
After a four-year hiatus, Ricky Gervais returned to host the Golden Globes once again. This time, he was more scathing than ever, taking aim at everyone from Caitlyn Jenner to the lack of diversity in Hollywood. He even managed to make a joke about the impending doom of the world, thanks to climate change.
The Caitlyn Jenner Joke
In his opening monologue, Gervais took aim at Caitlyn Jenner's transition. "I've changed, not as much as Bruce Jenner, obviously, but a little bit. Bruce Jenner became Caitlyn Jenner. And what an amazing story. What an amazing story. And different. Why? Because she's a woman at last. Oh, she's not done yet, though. She's now suing every paparazzi in Hollywood. She's saying, 'You can't take my picture because I'm trans.' I'm like, 'You're not trans, you're a woman. You're not a woman with a beard, you're a woman with a beard.'"
2020: The Final Hurrah
For his fifth and final time hosting the Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais pulled out all the stops. He took aim at everything from the HFPA's questionable ethics to the lack of diversity in Hollywood, and even managed to make a joke about his own lack of talent. This was a fitting end to his iconic hosting gigs.
The HFPA Ethics Joke
In his opening monologue, Gervais took aim at the HFPA's ethics. "The Hollywood Foreign Press are very, very keen to be your friend, for a very, very small fee. They'll write your name on the card, they'll write your name on the card, they'll write your name on the card. They just love writing names on cards. They love writing. They love cards. They love pens. They love paper. They love the environment. They're the greenest group of people I've ever met."
The Legacy of Ricky Gervais' Golden Globes Hosting Years
Over the course of five hosting gigs, Ricky Gervais left an indelible mark on the Golden Globes. He brought a much-needed dose of honesty and humor to the often-stuffy awards show, and left Hollywood's elite squirming in their seats. Whether you loved him or hated him, there's no denying that Gervais' hosting gigs were some of the most memorable in the history of the Golden Globes.
So there you have it, folks! A wild ride through Ricky Gervais' Golden Globes hosting years. From his scathing monologues to his unapologetic takedowns of Hollywood's elite, Gervais' hosting gigs were a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stuffy awards show. Here's to hoping that one day, he'll grace the Golden Globes stage once again. Until then, we'll just have to rewatch his old hosting gigs and laugh (and cringe) along with the best of them.