British comic Ricky Gervais, creator and star of the original version of The Office, has been tapped to host the next Golden Globe Awards on January 17. Gervais, who recently starred in the film comedy The Invention of Lying, said hosting awards shows is a “thankless task.”
“What’s the best that could happen?” Gervais said about award show hosting gigs. “You’re funny? You should be. The worst that can happen is they say: Worst host ever!” Gervais was persuaded against his better judgment to sign on as Golden Globes host anyway.
“Not only is this the biggest Hollywood celebration of the industry which includes both film and TV, but also an environment where I feel I can get free reign as a host. I have resisted many other offers like this, but there are just some things you don’t turn down,” Gervais said.
Well, the Academy Awards certainly pumped up the volume and improved their ratings last time around by bringing in Aussie Hugh Jackman as host. Maybe bringing in a Brit will help the Golden Globes crawl out of its dark hole as well. Sorry American comedians – just like a lot of us normal folks out there – you’ve been outsourced.
The 67th annual Golden Globe Awards will air January 17, 2010.