Gervais "goes too far"

[Jan Klimkowski]

Gervais "goes too far" and Hollywood ain't happy. nort:

Golden Globes: did Gervais go too far?


Ricky Gervais could become public enemy number one for some Hollywood stars following his controversial stint as host of the Golden Globes.

The British funnyman wryly noted last week that he was determined to make sure he would never be asked to host the US film award show again, and it looks like he will get his wish after last night's ceremony.

What Gervais said:

He kicked off the bash sipping a beer, before noting, "It's going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking. Or, as Charlie Sheen calls it, breakfast'.

He then went on to take a swipe at flop spy caper 'The Tourist': "It was a big year for 3D movies: 'Toy Story', 'Despicable Me', 'Tron'... Seems like everything this year was three-dimensionalexcept the characters in 'The Tourist'."

"And I'd like to quash this ridiculous rumour going around that the only reason 'The Tourist' was nominated was so the Hollywood Foreign Press could hang out with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. That is rubbish. That is not the only reason. They also accepted bribes."

He also aimed his sights at Scientology, joking, "Also not nominated: 'I Love You, Philip Morris'. Jim Carey and Ewan McGregor. Two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. Sort of the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists then...My lawyers helped me with the wording of that joke."

First reactions:

Robert Downey Jr, who Gervais also made some scathing jokes about, later said during the show, "'Aside from the fact that it's been hugely mean-spirited with mildly sinister overtones, I'd say the vibe of the show is pretty good, wouldn't you? I think it's great to be funny. But it's better if you can do it without hurting people."

As for legendary movie producer Harvey Weinstein, he joked at his after show party, "Ricky Gervais will not make it out of town tonight. There are seven people that we've hired to kill him and deservedly so. Knowing that Ricky Gervais will never work again means a lot to me, I'm going to make sure of it."

And when asked if Gervais would ever host the Golden Globes again, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, said simply, "No comment".

While his edgy jokes stunned the star-studded audience, some were less offended than others.

Tom Hooper, director of 'The King's Speech', said, "LA is a careful town - my God he was unbelievable. I thought he was hilarious but will he ever present another award show again? I don't know but if he went out, he went out burning."

Even Paris Hilton gave Gervais a thumbs up, adding, "That's how it is at an awards show, they want to get some laughs."

Gervais to host next year's Oscars? We wouldn't hold our breath

Quality.