Despite the divided response to Ricky Gervais' jaw-droppingly irreverent performance as host of the Golden Globe Awards in January, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (which votes for the winners and hosts the show) has reportedly invited him back for another go-around. Gervais caught hell for mocking Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, and Charlie Sheen, not to mention Tom Cruise and John Travolta's Scientology connection. Following the ceremony, the HFPA said Gervais had "definitely crossed the line." In the months since, Gervais has incessantly harped on the affair, and said he would never host the show again. But the New York Post reported Thursday that Gervais has indeed been asked to return. Teasingly, Gervais tweeted a link to the story with the phrase, "Ooooooh! The plot thickens…" Should Gervais repeat?
No. This is a terrible idea: "Shut up, Ricky Gervais," says Katey Rich at Cinema Blend. "No one is clamoring for you to host the Golden Globes again." By constantly gabbing about the controversy, Gervais has exhausted any goodwill he had, and killed any excitement audiences might have had for his return. His brutal Globes attack-shtick isn't even in line with the comedy for which he's admired. From Neil Patrick Harris to Melissa McCarthy, there are plenty of other candidates for the gig.
"Shut up, Ricky Gervais: Nobody cares if you host the Golden Globes again"
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And the Globes aren't helping Gervais: The whole Gervais vs. the Golden Globes affair escalated out of control, says Mark Blankenship at NPR. After "continuing to gas on about it" for months, the comedian now seems "deluded to the point of megalomania." Should he return after this past "year of posturing and bravado," he would predictably roast the room again — "and there's no way it won't seem like self-congratulation." Besides, nothing is less amusing than a predictable comedian.
"If Ricky Gervais goes back to the Globes (Or, we are exasperated by this prospect)"
Let his freak flag fly: There is "one big lesson we can take from all this," says Nathan Adams at Film School Rejects. Whether or not the comedian actually re-ups, this is a good reminder to never believe anything that Hollywood people say. But if he does return, "I can't wait to hear him tear into this year's crop of egomaniacs. That's definitely my idea of a good time."
"Ricky Gervais in secret Parisian meetings about returning to host the Golden Globes"
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