Will Ricky Gervais Be Back At Next Year’s Globes? Better Question: Will The Globes Be Back?

Certainly you’ve heard about the celebrity-ego-busting turn Ricky Gervais had at last week’s Golden Globes, earning him raves from some, and hints he’ll never work in that town again from others. Most of both sides of the equation seemed certain Gervais would not be back as MC for the 2012 Globes. And now that seems virtually assured, as the Globes themselves may not be back.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a lawsuit between the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which runs the Golden Globes, and their longtime production company, Dick Clark Productions, threatens to derail next year’s booze-fueled awards show:

In court filings last week, lawyers for Dick Clark Productions and the HFPA said the likely trial date is Dec. 1 and March 5, 2012, respectively.

Neither date would allow “sufficient time to take reasonable commercial steps for the production and distribution of the television broadcast of the 69th annual Golden Globes Awards Show,” the association’s lawyers said. Next year’s show is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 8 or 15.

At the heart of the suit seems to be an allegation by the HFPA that Dick Clark Productions “unilaterally” struck an eight-year agreement to air the Golden Globes on NBC. Only, maybe not next year.

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