Earlier this year, it was thought that Gervais would never again be asked to helm the Globes after his controversial jokes were slammed as “crossing the line”.
However, the powers that be have decided that having the mouthy Brit back as host is not, after all, so bad for ratings and yesterday the move was confirmed.
If Hollywood is hoping that Gervias will tone done his rhetoric, they may be disappointed.
As the news was confirmed, the comedian posted a clip of his 2011 Golden Globes monologue on Twitter and wrote: “This x 10.”
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) said it was bracing itself for more controversy.
“After weeks of rumours it’s finally official – Ricky Gervais will be back to host the Golden Globes for a third year,” a statement posted on the HFPA website read.
“The Hollywood Foreign Press Association voted for the controversial British comedian’s return after meeting with NBC official Doug Vaughn.
“While many welcome Gervais’s return, not everyone is happy with the decision because last year his blunt one-liners targeting big-name celebrities caused anger and resentment in some quarters.
“After the show Gervais dismissed the possibility of coming back for a third time, but he gradually warmed to the idea and last month met with HFPA President Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly in Paris to discuss it. He said recently that the idea of going back behind the podium ‘is very tempting.’”
For those whose memory is rusty, here are some of the insults Ricky Gervais hurled out at the Golden Globes 2011.
Introducing Robert Downey Jr.: “Many of you in his room probably know him best from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County jail.”
Talking about the characters in I Love You, Phillip Morris: “Two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay, so the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists.”
Charlie Sheen got it too: “It’s going to be a night of partying and heavy-drinking. Or as Charlie Sheen calls it, ‘breakfast.’”
Watch Ricky Gervais’ Golden Globes 2011 monologue here:
