A World Divided: Ricky Gervais At Golden Globes: Sheer Brilliance, Or Career Suicide?

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by Mark Joyella | 9:02 am, January 17th, 2011

» 76 comments

The world, on this MLK day, is starkly divided. It all comes down to one issue that has torn us into two camps: was Ricky Gervais amazing as MC of the Golden Globes, or was it a career-killing crash and burn?

At The Washington Post, Lisa De Moraes is part of Camp Major Meltdown, writing–apparently seriously–that the Globes “will go down in history for having brought Hollywood together in its hatred of host Ricky Gervais.”

De Moraes suggests Gervais was so bad, and so offensive to Hollywood’s elite, that last night’s show was simply the event when “Gervais’s career died.”

Leading the charge for Camp Pure Brilliance is Tim Goodman, writing in The Hollywood Reporter, who notes that while last night may well be Gervais’ last as Globes MC, he did exactly what he said he’d do (“I warned them,” Gervais said) and exactly what the “sycophantic back-slapping” show needed: a fearless ego-bubble burster:

It made for compelling – if sometimes wince-inducing – television. Given the staid lameness of most awards shows – hello Emmys – at least he kept those who are not in the industry laughing uproariously.

Gervais took such obvious pleasure in deflating the massive egos on display in the ballroom that his sudden disappearance for an hour lit up the Twitterverse with conspiracy theories: had he been fired mid-show? Waterboarded backstage? As Xan Brooks writes in The Guardian this morning:

Even when Gervais eventually returned, observers noted that he seemed subdued, leading to suggestions that he had been asked to tone down his routine. According to CNN host Piers Morgan, Gervais looked “haunted”. He vowed to ask the comedian: “What the hell did they do to you backstage?”

Of course, Gervais had not been beaten into submission, firing off his final shot in the show’s last seconds–thanking God for making him an atheist–as the Golden Globes cameras rushed to pull away from the stage and onto the safety of a ballroom chandelier for a warm-and-fuzzy credit roll. Were they the last words of a man who will never work in that town again? Or a final shot for a guy who’s now white hot?

Does insulting Angelina Jolie’s poorly-reviewed movie and laughing at the most deserving of targets qualify as “going too far?” As Goodman points out:

But so what? The Globes are considered one of the best, if not the best, awards show on television because of this feeling that anything goes and champagne-fueled winners and presenters could say just about anything. Adding Gervais into the mix last year was exactly the kind of tone that seemed to fit the primetime party and as funny as he was this year, there’s little doubt many in the industry will think he went too far.

If Robert De Niro and Robert Downey, Jr. have careers after their speeches, I imagine Ricky Gervais will do just fine. Especially since he did a comic’s job: he tore into the massive culture of fake that surrounds the event, and exposed–shocker!–just how thin-skinned these people really are.

Watch Ricky Gervais’ opening monologue here, from NBC:

Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais

Cecelia

Sheer brilliance!

Glad to see Christian Bale won a Globe. (Come to mama….)
Big Eddie

Funny stuff .

Next year ‘ s host : Andrew Dice Clay .

Gervais was even better than Bob Hope back in ’47 .

” Uma , Oprah . …Oprah , Uma ” .
trica

….hopefully career suicide..
Seeing 2012 From My Window

Gervais’ treatment of HWood’s elite was reminiscent of HWood’s distain for middle America. Choke on it HWood liberals.

ps, when I say “choke on it”, I in NO way want someone to actually choke and die. Just want to make that clear before I’m accused of violent rhetoric.
NeoKong

The guy was funny.
Some people can’t take a joke.
Cecelia

Big Eddie,

You remember that I was telling you that armwood had accused me of being a racist, without offering up any reason for calling me that?

Well, now, out of the blue, he’s accused me of talking about “slavery for life”… when I hadn’t uttered one word of slavery.

Is it just me or does he treat everyone so irrationally?
trica

..also I hope to see the death of Chris Rocks’ career..he deserves it more than Gervais…
Seeing 2012 From My Window

It’s not just you, Cecilia. You should try having a “conversation’ with Cobra some time. I made the mistake of using the word “boy” in a post and all hell broke loose! That’s how they roll.
Cecelia

Seeing 2012 From My Window said:
It’s not just you, Cecilia. You should try having a “conversation’ with Cobra some time. I made the mistake of using the word “boy” in a post and all hell broke loose! That’s how they roll.

I suppose so.
srmicca

The producers picked Gervais just for the reason we saw…in your face humor that only he could provide. The last joke was pretty funny if anyone caught it – “I want to thank God…for making me an athiest.”
Mr B

NeoKong said:

Some people can’t take a joke.

GLAAD could not be reached for comment. http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2010/10/19/vince-vaughn-gay-joke-dilemma-glaad-bully/
Cecelia

I want to thank God for Gervais’ sort of genius.
Big Eddie

Cecelia said:
Is it just me or does he treat everyone so irrationally?

Armwood is demented . Most everyone in the country has moved on from race as being an issue at all . But , to Armwood , that ‘s the central issue in most things . That guy seems unaware of how ludicrous he is . He’s boastful and insulting . He’s not even worth kidding with because he’s so nuts . So yes , irrationally , he treats others as inferior , but can’t see his own inferiority complex . Dr. Eddie ‘s opinion .
Mr B

srmicca said:
The producers picked Gervais just for the reason we saw…in your face humor that only he could provide. The last joke was pretty funny if anyone caught it – “I want to thank God…for making me an athiest.”

I took that as a parting shot for those that criticized Gervais poor reasoning skills. No surprise. It’s how some people react when embarrassed at their own flaws. It’s a godly lesson…. humility. Gervais still doesn’t get it.

http://voxday.blogspot.com/2010/12/atheist-self-humiliation.html
mcf1757

Opposition to health care overhaul is diminished; 1 in 4 back complete repeal http://bit.ly/g8y5nI
Cecelia

Big Eddie said:
So yes , irrationally , he treats others as inferior , but can’t see his own inferiority complex . Dr. Eddie ’s opinion .

Well, I had taken his swaggering about his own brilliance, debate prowess, and sophistication, as just the usual stuff you see from progressive males (this phenomenon might be because they were bullied as kids or something), but the utter irrationality was a shock.
Cecelia

Anyway, thanks for the imput Seeing and Eddie,.

Now let’s talk about Christian Bale… :D
The Real Royal King

Cecelia said:
Big Eddie,

You remember that I was telling you that armwood had accused me of being a racist, without offering up any reason for calling me that?

Well, now, out of the blue, he’s accused me of talking about “slavery for life”… when I hadn’t uttered one word of slavery.

Is it just me or does he treat everyone so irrationally?

I have no complaints about Armwood. I find his arguments to be some of the finest at Mediaite, and he is always willing to consider differing and even opposing views. He and I have disagreed, but he has always treated me with respect. Of course, I don’t demand rigid conformity and fealty to my own views as a test of the interest and worth of another’s views.
The Real Royal King

Big Eddie said:
Most everyone in the country has moved on from race as being an issue at all .

That is most assuredly not true. Some have come to accept racism as a thread in our national fabric. These people are loud and irritable. The volume and irritability does not correlate to high quantity. On the contrary. It is just the opposite. The racists, xenophobes and homophobes are isolating themselves now in the Tea Party and, indeed, more generally in the Republican party (I mean, they have good back to a middle-aged white man as their chairperson) and are shouting very loudly, indeed.
milynily

Utter truthiness disquised as comedy.
Mr B

mcf1757 said:
Opposition to health care overhaul is diminished; 1 in 4 back complete repeal http://bit.ly/g8y5nI

Watch Democrats exploit Gabby Giffords in an attempt to block Republican’s fixing the mess Progressives created. The meme is already shaping. Fight back for Gabby! Is Obamacare that strong in idea and implementation that that is what Progressives have to resort to? Thank you Pat, I’d like to buy a waiver….. http://michellemalkin.com/2010/11/14/waiver-mania-the-ever-expanding-obamacare-escapee-list/
skyfet

So he deflated ego, now that’s something bad. I’ve always find it unbelievable that actors(pretenders) go to award ceremonies to award themselves on who is the best actors (pretenders). When you have some people snapping their fingers at others or demanding that they don’t speak to them directly, I’m with Mr. Gervias on that. But, I’m definitely on his side when to mocking Religious believes. I believe in God, it’s a common thing to find Europeans to be atheists (they don’t go to Church as much).
Cecelia

The Real Royal King said:
I have no complaints about Armwood. I find his arguments to be some of the finest at Mediaite, and he is always willing to consider differing and even opposing views. He and I have disagreed, but he has always treated me with respect. Of course, I don’t demand rigid conformity and fealty to my own views as a test of the interest and worth of another’s views.

Well, I’m glad that’s your experience.

It’s gratifying to see such a purely altruistic and well motivated endorsement of another poster here.

The next time he calls me racist, anti-Hispanic, and white supremacist while refusing to offer up even one offending sentence that I might have written, I’ll reflect on your experience with him.
JamesA1102

Seeing 2012 From My Window said:
Gervais’ treatment of HWood’s elite was reminiscent of HWood’s distain for middle America. Choke on it HWood liberals.

You really must have a very dark soul to turn this into something political.
The Real Royal King

Mr B said:
Watch Democrats exploit Gabby Giffords in an attempt to block Republican’s fixing the mess Progressives created. The meme is already shaping. Fight back for Gabby! Is Obamacare that strong in idea and implementation that that is what Progressives have to resort to? Thank you Pat, I’d like to buy a waiver….. http://michellemalkin.com/2010/11/14/waiver-mania-the-ever-expanding-obamacare-escapee-list/

Thanks for the Malkin link and for this well-informed post. I so tire of those who try to portray Representative Giffords and the others killed and injured in Tucson as victims when the true victims of Tucson are Beckerhead, Lard Limbaugh and Sarah Palin.
Cecelia

skyfet said:
I believe in God, it’s a common thing to find Europeans to be atheists (they don’t go to Church as much).

I believe in God too, and I’m profoundly grateful that He created a world where we are free to believe or to not believe.
Cecelia

The Real Royal King said:
Thanks for the Malkin link and for this well-informed post. I so tire of those who try to portray Representative Giffords and the others killed and injured in Tucson as victims when the true victims of Tucson are Beckerhead, Lard Limbaugh and Sarah Palin.

The point isn’t that the injured aren’t the true victims. It’s that they aren’t the victims of Beckerhead, Lard Limbaugh, Sara Palin and other nincompoops who convey ideas in a coarse and disparaging manner.
paulmdoro

We can’t even talk about a celebrity harshly bashing other celebrities at a self-important awards show without it turning into a discussion of Giffords and talk radio?
Cecelia

paulmdoro said:
We can’t even talk about a celebrity harshly bashing other celebrities at a self-important awards show without it turning into a discussion of Giffords and talk radio?

Well, I shouldn’t have brought up armwood, but I was just continuing a discussion I had previously with my sweety Big Eddie.

Sorry.
CosmosDan

Career suicide? Is that joke? Not bloody likely.

He may not host the Globes again but who cares?
Cecelia

CosmosDan said:
He may not host the Globes again but who cares?

Surely even Hollywood doesn’t take itself THAT seriously.

He was a stitch and he’s sure to get everyone watching at any awards show. The smart money would be to ALWAYS get Gervais to host…
Seeing 2012 From My Window

JamesA1102 says:
Seeing 2012 From My Window said:
Gervais’ treatment of HWood’s elite was reminiscent of HWood’s distain for middle America. Choke on it HWood liberals.

You really must have a very dark soul to turn this into something political.

James, you are a perfect example of someone who is constantly looking ot be offended.
The Real Royal King

JamesA1102 said:
You really must have a very dark soul to turn this into something political.

It is indeed an abyss.
CosmosDan

Big Eddie said:
Most everyone in the country has moved on from race as being an issue at all

While race relations have improved a lot and will continue to do so, this is an exaggeration.
Cecelia

CosmosDan said:
While race relations have improved a lot and will continue to do so, this is an exaggeration.

Well, it’s likely the experience of good man who is surrounded by good people.
CosmosDan

The Real Royal King said:
I have no complaints about Armwood. I find his arguments to be some of the finest at Mediaite, and he is always willing to consider differing and even opposing views.

Armwood is obviously an intelligent person and offers substance, but the pattern of talking about his own superiority seems pretty obvious.
IndyGal2011

Zzzzzing! I loved it. Ricky Gervais is fabulous and I thought his monologue was great. Did he actually say anything that was untrue? I think not. It’s nice to see someone make the people at these awards shows squirm and not just tickle their backsides with a feather, and Gervais was the perfect person to carry out the deed. Nicely done!
Cecelia

CosmosDan said:
Armwood is obviously an intelligent person and offers substance, but the pattern of talking about his own superiority seems pretty obvious.

I’m going to let bygones be bygones with him and will just be aware of the direction his rhetoric will go if engaged in discussion.
The Real Royal King

Cecelia said:
The point isn’t that the injured aren’t the true victims. It’s that they aren’t the victims of Beckerhead, Lard Limbaugh, Sara Palin and other nincompoops who convey ideas in a coarse and disparaging manner.

I don’t see how you can even compare the murdered and injured to Beckerhead, Lard Limbaugh and Sarah Palin. The former were merely killed and injured because, well, what else do you do with guns? The latter are the true and only victims. In fact, I’m thinking of having a Telethon for them. Dredge up some has been and never were rightist celebrities like Drew Carey, Bo Derek, Patricia Heaton, Dennis Miller and Carrie Prejean. Stick a couple of Charlton Heston, Ronald Raygun and John Wayne posters on the studio walls. Get testimonials from Blackthong, Janet Hawkins, Koldys, Bob Kox, Basil Marceaux, I mean Gordon Blower, Jeff Merrill, Michelle-in-Utah, Tumbleweed …. Run ads on “Beckerhead’s Ole Tyme Heresy Hour”. Perhaps on re-runs of “Alaska’s Sarah Palin” and even on the “Lard Limbaugh” show. I think I’d make a fortune.
nice_thought

I have heard God himself say, “I’m not real. Get on with your life.”
CosmosDan

Cecelia said:
Well, it’s likely the experience of good man who is surrounded by good people.

That’s a good thought. Let’s hope you’re correct.
Cecelia

The Real Royal King said:
don’t see how you can even compare the murdered and injured to Beckerhead, Lard Limbaugh and Sarah Palin. T

I didn’t.
Cecelia

CosmosDan said:
That’s a good thought. Let’s hope you’re correct.

Well, I’ve said similar things about you too, Mister.
CosmosDan

nice_thought said:
I have heard God himself say, “I’m not real. Get on with your life.”

On a few rare occasions when engaged in some religious debate that has already abandoned any logic I resort to

“Well I asked God about that and he said you were wrong”

I love the look on their face.
CosmosDan

Cecelia said:
Well, I’ve said similar things about you too, Mister.

Uh oh. That really puts your judgement in doubt. ;-}
Cecelia

CosmosDan said:
On a few rare occasions when engaged in some religious debate that has already abandoned any logic I resort to

“Well I asked God about that and he said you were wrong”

I love the look on their face.

I do something similar but converse when I think I’m being baited because I believe in God.

I always just tell ‘em that He didn’t hire me as His PR person.
CosmosDan

Cecelia said:
Anyway, thanks for the imput Seeing and Eddie,.

Now let’s talk about Christian Bale… :D

I like Bale. He has done some excellent work. American Psycho, blew me away. Did you see Empire of the Sun? He was 13 when he was in that one. Swing Kids, also very good. Haven’t seen the one where he played Jesus.

My only problem is all the unwanted attention I get because of our remarkable resemblance, although the extra money from convenience store openings sure comes in handy.
CosmosDan

Cecelia said:
I do something similar but converse when I think I’m being baited because I believe in God.

I always just tell ‘em that He didn’t hire me as His PR person.

Sounds effective. FTR; I think belief or non belief are both equally valid since we really don’t know. People need to follow their own path and what works for them. What annoys me from either side is those who insist their path must be the “correct” one.
TfT

What a bunch of thin-skinned bozo’s. These liberal hollywood snots are the first ones to criticize middle America, conservative values, and anyone/everyone who believes in the greatness of this nation. And now, some brit humor guy comes in and makes fun of them, and they throw hissy fits?

Too funny.
stoogedudes

CosmosDan said:
I like Bale. He has done some excellent work. American Psycho, blew me away. Did you see Empire of the Sun? He was 13 when he was in that one. Swing Kids, also very good. Haven’t seen the one where he played Jesus. My only problem is all the unwanted attention I get because of our remarkable resemblance, although the extra money from convenience store openings sure comes in handy.

The fact that he didn’t even get nominated for an Oscar for American Psycho is a true injustice. I’ve been a fan of his ever since I watched the film, and I have to say that if I ever met him in person, I wouldn’t be able to stop thinking that it’s Patrick Bateman in front of me.

His rant against the Director of Photography on Terminator Salvation would make me even more scared of him.

But aside from that, he is truly one of the finest actors in Hollywood today. The Dark Knight is one of my top five favorite movies of all time.
MiddleRoader

CosmosDan said:
Sounds effective. FTR; I think belief or non belief are both equally valid since we really don’t know. People need to follow their own path and what works for them. What annoys me from either side is those who insist their path must be the “correct” one.

I second that. I usually don’t engage in discussions of religion. Further more, I don’t usually tell anyone of my non-belief until they get to know me better. When their look of surprise, at the least, comes over them. I ask what about me changes because of that fact? I’m still the same person and no i am not a devil worshiper, as if i believe there is no god there can be no devil. And there are some adult people that still think that if your and atheist. lol
ndanielson

Here, because I feel lazy today, and Ricky will be such a smash hit on King’s old show: So now liberals are gonna make another foreigner an America bashing multi-millionaire??? You go liberals! So elite and smug. Here is a list of the top 10 things liberals love: http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/10/23/top-10-things-leftists-like-aka-stuff-leftist-people-like-1-10/ …it will link to the next 15. Enjoy the squeals of liberal clowns.

Someone should ask Piers and Ricky how all that muslim assimilation is working out for the UK.
MiddleRoader

But back to Gervais. I watched the globes last night and he was very funny. But even i winced a bit at some of his pokes at the stars. Yet, you had to laugh because a lot of it was true. Unless, they are so full of themselves, they had to know it too. He was funny. period. I can’t see how this would affect his career. And his last line, of course, I thought was great. I even might have to steal it from him.
ndanielson

Cecelia said:
I believe in God too, and I’m profoundly grateful that He created a world where we are free to believe or to not believe.

Not if liberals have their way Cecelia. They will have their throats cut by allah first. PBUH.
MiddleRoader

****If Robert De Niro and Robert Downey, Jr. have careers after their speeches, I imagine Ricky Gervais will do just fine. Especially since he did a comic’s job: he tore into the massive culture of fake that surrounds the event, and exposed–shocker!–just how thin-skinned these people really are.****

I thought Downeys presentation was also good. The women nominated seemed to enjoy it as well. As far as De Niro goes. I have read he is basically shy. Which is why he stays pretty much away of interviews.
writer

Gervais has said he refuses to ever be politically correct. Thank God. A comedian who feels he can make fun of everyone.
greg454

Gervais is mostly a liberal and Bush hater. I’d rather listen to Dennis Miller.
The fact that it ISN’T a miracle is what we should be recognizing. That is Dr. King’s legacy. Sorry, but it ain’t Barack Obama day.
greg454

Sorry, posted the wrong comment,

Gervais is mostly a liberal and Bush hater. I’d rather listen to Dennis Miller.
http://libertarians4freedom.blogspot.com/2010/12/democratic-nazis-similarities-between.html
CosmosDan

ndanielson said:
Not if liberals have their way Cecelia. They will have their throats cut by allah first. PBUH.

Right, because there are no liberal Christians. Can we PLEASE, lose this tired ridiculous meme?
trica

Chris says the ni–er more than some of you folks do….Rock describes himself well…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRwK_XVfm0I
ndanielson

CosmosDan said:
Right, because there are no liberal Christians. Can we PLEASE, lose this tired ridiculous meme?

Okay, so the Christian bashing liberals. How’s that?
CosmosDan

ndanielson said:
Okay, so the Christian bashing liberals. How’s that?

That’s closer. My guess is that’s a much smaller % of liberals than you think. I’ve seen it thrown around far to casually.
JamesA1102

Seeing 2012 From My Window said:
James, you are a perfect example of someone who is constantly looking ot be offended.

Not looking to be offended but even if I were, you provided the offense.
oPad

greg454 said:
Gervais is mostly a liberal and Bush hater. I’d rather listen to Dennis Miller.
The fact that it ISN’T a miracle is what we should be recognizing. That is Dr. King’s legacy. Sorry, but it ain’t Barack Obama day.

As an expert in Dr. King’s legacy, how many black friends do you have?
oPad

ndanielson said:
Here, because I feel lazy today, and Ricky will be such a smash hit on King’s old show: So now liberals are gonna make another foreigner an America bashing multi-millionaire??? You go liberals! So elite and smug. Here is a list of the top 10 things liberals love: http://www.newsrealblog.com/2010/10/23/top-10-things-leftists-like-aka-stuff-leftist-people-like-1-10/ …it will link to the next 15. Enjoy the squeals of liberal clowns.

Someone should ask Piers and Ricky how all that muslim assimilation is working out for the UK.

Dang, I forgot that this section of the world is still supposed to hate people on the rest of our planet, even in 2011.
And Americans should only be bashed by Americans!
How foolish of me.
WilsonTheHeretic

One douche bag says mean things about other douche bags and I can’t summon any strong feelings about the matter. If they all ended up begging on the street for scraps tomorrow I wouldn’t much care.
lane

Gervais was Gervais. Wish I’d seen more. The clips I’ve seen were very funny, and if you can’t laugh at yourself, don’t invite Gervais. Anyone who was surprised is kind of an idiot.
Some_Dude

After thinking about it, he was a comedian being a comedian. Fuck the venue. He remained true to his place in society. Dropped bombs like Mercutio.
ndanielson

oPad said:
Dang, I forgot that this section of the world is still supposed to hate people on the rest of our planet, even in 2011.
And Americans should only be bashed by Americans!
How foolish of me.

Make ‘em rich, cupcake. It’s a free country, still. If you’re down with America bashers, have at it. They’ll be the ones laughing all the way to the bank, not you. Wow, what era did this “section of the world” hate all the rest??? Not so much foolish as ignorant, you are.
ndanielson

lane said:
Gervais was Gervais. Wish I’d seen more. The clips I’ve seen were very funny, and if you can’t laugh at yourself, don’t invite Gervais. Anyone who was surprised is kind of an idiot.

He was funny.
X-3

One has first to have a career before it can “crash and burn,” unless you’re talking about his career working at the carwash at Redondo Beach.
http://www.squidoo.com/lauriebethsgrotto Laurie Beth

What Iane said. Anybody who was “shocked” or “appalled” and/or thinks his career is over is crazy.
hgovernick

ndanielson said:
Not if liberals have their way Cecelia. They will have their throats cut by allah first. PBUH.

Don’t you think it’s about time you got rid of the avitar which has the Democratic icon on a gun target?

Your hatred for all liberals qualifies you as a serious candidate for psychiatric observation.
IIWII

Funny is funny… the truth about comedy is there is a bit of truth in comedy. It ain’t funny if it ain’t true.
IIWII

hgovernick said:
Don’t you think it’s about time you got rid of the avitar which has the Democratic icon on a gun target? Your hatred for all liberals qualifies you as a serious candidate for psychiatric observation.

He does NOT have a Democratic icon as his avatar… he has a Democrat icon there. Both sides of the political spectrum are DemocratIC. And humor is still humor if there is a chunk of truth in there.
hgovernick

IIWII said:
He does NOT have a Democratic icon as his avatar… he has a Democrat icon there. Both sides of the political spectrum are DemocratIC. And humor is still humor if there is a chunk of truth in there.

An avatar with a Democratic icon [NOT "Democrat Icon", you dope] in the center of a gun target is exactly the kind of “humor” that attracts people like Jared Loughner, and presumably idiots like you.