This year I decided to not cover the Golden Globes because my heart just isn't into watching these shows. I'm the kind of guy that prefers reading a list of the winners after the shindig has gone down, though I can see the appeal of seeing the dresses and the celebrities glitz. It's just not my thing, y'know?
But now that the Globes are over and Ricky Gervais brilliant skewering of showbiz elite has captured the attention of the media coverage of the event, I believe it's time to show those of you who, like myself, didn't watch the show what we missed. When Gervais went on that stage none of the celebrities sitting at their tables nor the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association knew what was in store for them. This is the closest we'll get to see of a Hollywood award ceremony version of Carrie White covered in blood at her senior high school prom just as she unleashes her TK fueled rage at her tormentors.
Gervais' British roasting of Hollywood star power and the cult of celebrity that we westerners bestow upon the showbiz elite isn't a dish that American audiences are used to seeing at an awards show, much less on prime event television. But that's the way the Brits do it in their land, and that's what the HFPA should have expected when they hired a man like Ricky Gervais to host the Golden Globes.
There are two videos. The first shows most of Gervais' jokes with the exception of the Tom Hanks/Tim Allen gag. The second shows that one in its entirety.
And if you really want to see the squirming in the audience, watch the whole 7-minute opening of Gervais when he walks out onto the stage. You haven't seen Hollywood actors look this uncomfortable since Rob Lowe danced his way across the Oscar stage 20 years ago.
I thought he was great. Loved the last line about "thanking god".
The HFPA itself seems to think he did a great job:
"We loved the show. It was a lot of fun and obviously has a lot of people talking. When you hire a comedian like Ricky Gervais, one expects in your face, sometimes outrageous material. Certainly, in this case, he pushed the envelope and occasionally went too far. The HFPA would never condone some of his personal remarks. Overall, however, the show was among the best we’ve ever had and we were pleased."
Gervais said later on his blog (under the "Update" in the above-linked article): "Obviously the rumour that the organizers stopped me going out on stage for an hour is rubbish. I did every link I was scheduled to do. The reason why the gaps were uneven is because when I got the rundown I was allowed to choose who I presented to. I obviously chose the spots that I had the best gags for."
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Daltons chin dimple
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Posted: 13 years 15 weeks ago
Don't understand why this has caused such a furore. Without a level of self mocking, these awards ceremonies are just gratuitous back-slapping by a hoard of wealthy elite without invites for anyone not in the clique. This makes it more accessible.
The Oscars are just an over-produced, cringe worthy pile of fucking shite that takes itself way to seriously.