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Defending Gervais: Why Every Awards Show Should Now Hire The Caustic Host

by Colby Hall | 12:42 pm, January 18th, 2011

» 19 comments

If television programmers and award show producers are smart, they would consider Sunday night’s broadcast of the Golden Globe Awards as an historic night. Much has already been made of the controversial comedic styling of host Ricky Gervais, and his brave choice of forgoing a predictably convivial route for a more caustic “road less traveled” in hosting the show. And God bless him for it –not only did he single-handedly make an otherwise boring and predictable program seem surprising (if not dangerous?), but the viewership rewarded his bravado, scoring record ratings for the fledgling show.

Yesterday the media world seemed divided: some suggested that the host’s impossibly bold (and at times rude) material meant that his career was over. At The Washington Post, Lisa De Moraes wrote that the Globes “will go down in history for having brought Hollywood together in its hatred of host Ricky Gervais,” before suggesting that Gervais was so offensive to Hollywood’s elite, that last night’s show was simply the event when “Gervais’s career died.”

On the other hand is Tim Goodman, who reviewed Gervais performance for The Hollywood Reporter, noted that though this was likely Gervais’s last stint as Globes host, 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. Which leads us to the record viewership.

Nielson reported yesterday that the Gervais helmed Golden Globes ceremony was viewed by nearly 17 million individuals, which was not only better than all competition in the same time period, but even better than last year’s audience. Further, it was also NBC’s most-watched prime-time entertainment telecast in the all important 18-to-49 demo since…wait for it…last year’s Golden Globes (also hosted by Mr. Gervais.)

But something tells me that, despite the great ratings and enormous buzz that came from his jokes, Gervais won’t be back at the Golden Globes dais in future years. Which is particularly odd for an industry that consistently values commercial success over quality of content (how else can one explain the career of Michael Bay?) Sadly, it appears that Gervais days of hosting awards shows may be behind him as there is an apparent consensus that his act was not only uncivil, but it may have hurt the feelings of the stars in the room. (The horror!)

But an uncivil host was exactly what made the show so entertaining. First of all, there may be no other sort of program as self-congratulatory as an awards show, a genre of programming of which the Golden Globes has long stood out as the odd in-law from a family overseas. Gervais frank and candid comedy set seemed to have broken some sort of weird Hollywood honor code that states no one should ever actually speak truth to box office power.

Consider that many of the celebrities targeted by his monologue earn millions of dollars for appearing in movies (and get literally hundreds of valuable freebies only because of their celebrity) one might think that they’d have developed a little tougher skin. Or at least appreciate that in the paradigm of costs and benefits of their absurd good fortune, a little teasing by a Mr. Gervais is the least that they could endure. But no, how dare he deign to denigrate our national treasure, America’s celebrities!

I suppose that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association could continue their role as an awards show iconoclast and actually book Gervais to host next years show, but given the feedback that he’s received by the industry aleady, it would seem unlikely that Gervais would even accept the gig if asked.

Until then, we will always have this years Golden Globes’ controversial monologue for future hosts to study, and hopefully replicate. At least we can hope.

Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais

Some_Dude

I like how America is “all a Twitter” (see what I did there?) over this. A comedian was straight forward.

I’ll bet good money that a week from now this will be completely forgotten. Mediaite here will be back to distilling complex political stories down to inflammatory Fox News/vs everyone else stories by tomorrow.
notsofast

Lisa De Moraes wrote that the Globes “will go down in history for having brought Hollywood together in its hatred of host Ricky Gervais,” before suggesting that Gervais wasso offensive to Hollywood’s elite,”

Ohhhh, screw the Hollywood elite. They are just a bunch of dumb actors who, if they weren’t actors, would be assistant managers at a Speedway – if they were that lucky!
CLTstraightguy

I’d like to thank atheism for making me believe in God.
lane

The Globes are only a good marketing tool for TV & movies if folks watch, so I think they’ll have Gervais back. He was very funny, and the tortured looks by the whiny celebs was very funny too. Very bold to be outrageous directly to the person. Genius!

The celebs with a sense of humor were the majority, and laughed often. I want Gervais to host EVERY major award show, then I’d watch.
felixw

Of course Gervais advanced his fame and career with this performance. The idea that someone in Hollywood can hurt his career by being outrageous may have been true 50 years ago, but nowadays it is impossible — I repeat impossible — for a celebrity to do anything so outrageous that the backlash will outweigh the publicity. Short of coming out as a Republican, celebrities will be forgiven by their Hollywood peers for any infraction.
http://www.squidoo.com/lauriebethsgrotto Laurie Beth

So silly that he needs defense. He probably won’t be asked back, because the president of the HPFA said he wouldn’t and probably doesn’t want to go back on his word–but he’s done it twice; I doubt he’s heartbroken.

If they’re smart (ha) they’ll get somebody like Chris Rock or Craig Ferguson next year, and run clips of Ricky Gervais’s more “outrageous” moments to plug the show, implying that it might happen again. They might actually get some ratings for an awards show, which is next to impossible these days.
Bobomatic

It’s about money… if Gervais doesn’t bring the coin and the advertisers, then he won’t be back – but he’ll be back because he does bring the coin to what is, otherwise a pathetic, lame excuse of an awards show promoting movies no one really gives a shit about. In the end, people could care less about the fragile ego’s of hollywood…. which eats it’s own.
http://www.realtvcritics.com RealTVCritics.com

Wimpy Hollywood. Ricky was fantastic. Really what other reason for the slight growth in viewers. I tuned in just to see what he would say. Other than that most award shows are boring and repetitive in content and all you need to do is read about the winners the next day on any media outlet.

“I warned them” and they got what they paid him for, to be rude, crude and obnoxious. Bravo to him pulling off exactly what he said he would do. Really what other reason is there to watch? A bunch of Hollywood types messing on each other is a good reason to not watch. A strong host, no matter how uncivil he was, is the only reason to watch. A good trainwreck and it was unforgettable.

Gervais won’t be back and I won’t watch. The ratings will tank next year.
am_underground

I wish someone would edit all his time on camera together and put it on YouTube, I can’t watch these shows anymore, to self serving, gay and very left politically. He on the other hand, is never afraid to pop Hollywood because he can make a living in England. But if he had the numbers, he’ll be back because one thing the left loves is money and rating mean money.
http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Gregory-Backus/615261184 James Gregory Backus

notsofast said:
Lisa De Moraes wrote that the Globes “will go down in history for having brought Hollywood together in its hatred of host Ricky Gervais,” before suggesting that Gervais wasso offensive to Hollywood’s elite,”

Ohhhh, screw the Hollywood elite. They are just a bunch of dumb actors who, if they weren’t actors, would be assistant managers at a Speedway – if they were that lucky!

The jobs your family aspires to. Good going.
http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Gregory-Backus/615261184 James Gregory Backus

lane said:
The Globes are only a good marketing tool for TV & movies if folks watch, so I think they’ll have Gervais back. He was very funny, and the tortured looks by the whiny celebs was very funny too. Very bold to be outrageous directly to the person. Genius!

The celebs with a sense of humor were the majority, and laughed often. I want Gervais to host EVERY major award show, then I’d watch.

Ahhhh….the failure of education. The only people truly whining are the organizers of the HFPA – other than that it was a “roast light” – and you’re opinions of educated, arts and entertainment are like the rest of the talentless sheep….baaaaaaa! Psst! Ricky is a hollywood elistist (which to you means educated observer whom isn’t afraid to learn, grow, or think outside the box or the “norm”).
http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Gregory-Backus/615261184 James Gregory Backus

Bobomatic said:
It’s about money… if Gervais doesn’t bring the coin and the advertisers, then he won’t be back – but he’ll be back because he does bring the coin to what is, otherwise a pathetic, lame excuse of an awards show promoting movies no one really gives a shit about. In the end, people could care less about the fragile ego’s of hollywood…. which eats it’s own.

The Bible has a liberal and entertainment based bias wouldn’t you say?
mlb

He upset Tom Hanks so his days are numbered as a host of anything…
jackster12

Ha… wow… that was brutal commentary and over-the-top. I winced. But it was still funny and tough to turn away from… and he WAS hired to do exactly that. Anyone who’s seen his standup should have known this is style of humor.
M Colins

I am a fan of Gervais although am not to happy he recently felt the need to try and become an existential philosopher.

The truth is he didnt prick any egos or deflate anyones sense of self importance. That has been done by other comedians and with more cleverness and sensitivity. What he did joke after joke was insulting and mean spirited not clever. Downeys comment was right on the mark.

One didnt so much get the sense of friendly or pointed jabs so much as attempting to out celebrities or make fun of their drug and alcohol addictions or call them talentless. He seems to have a genuine loathing for Hollywood which is fine ( I pretty much share it) but why in the world would any organization bring that guy in to hosts its awards show?

One of my Axioms of Life is “Every Cynic gets Their Comeuppance”. Gervais better be ready for his.
HonestOpinion

Ricky told the TRUTH about these over privileged wussies. Did not watch the Globes to I watched it here and boy did I ROTF laughing. I saw his commercial asking the public why would they care about watching some over-privileged individuals who do nothing get an award? (paraphrased) Many a truth is said in jest and Ricky hit the nail on the head about these bums. Everybody knows Tom is gay, like so many so-called heart throbs of the past, Rock Hudson…GMAB. He’s not the only so-called mean spirited Brit, like Pierce Morgan isn’t?
http://societyfordaintydamsels.wordpress.com Lynda Appell

Didn’t see the 2011 Golden Globes so my comments are based on news reports what professional reviewers, the rest of us, including bloggers wrote. Well Ricky Gervais did warm the celebs at the show. He is known for his in your face style humor. I read some folks think he was hilarious. Others incredibly rude. I say he was both. Sometimes there’s a fine line between humor and cruelty. The question did he cross that line.
I just want to say maybe he should be known as Ricky Ger in your vais?
gargoyle

felixw said:
but nowadays it is impossible — I repeat impossible — for a celebrity to do anything so outrageous that the backlash will outweigh the publicity..

Michael Richards is the exception that proves the rule.
gargoyle

James Gregory Backus said:
Psst! Ricky is a hollywood elistist

How so? The only thing he’s done in Hollywood is make one movie that bombed. All his other work (and 99% of his career) is across the big pond.