Posted on 01/17/2011 6:21:22 AM PST by Red Badger
"I warned them."
Returning Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais did indeed let it be known that he wasn't going to hold back in skewering Hollywood's most famous celebrities. And, in what will undoubtedly be his last hosting gig for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (and, who knows, maybe any Stateside awards) he didn't disappoint.
But in the process of making searingly funny jokes at more than just the obvious targets (Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson, the HFPA itself), the heat he put into the punch lines might have made him more of the story than the actual winners.
And yet, it made for compelling -- if sometimes wince-inducing -- television. Given the staid lameness of most awards shows -- hello, Emmys -- at least he kept those who are not in the industry laughing uproariously. (His "I warned them" line came after a particularly funny joke about Hugh Hefner's new fiancee, complete with physical comedy and facial expressions).
Gervais' biting lines were scattered at various stars (and movies like The Tourist), with not everyone taking kindly to the treatment. Bruce Willis seemed miffed to be called the father of Ashton Kutcher, Robert Downey Jr. seemed to take slight umbrage about his rehab past (before going into his own salacious and super speech), etc. Even when the jokes weren't directed at them, some stars took gentle swipes back, as when Tom Hanks, who just received a rave recitation of his career achievement from Gervais, protected Tim Allen, who received none.
Gervais's jokes were so incendiary that when he went missing during the second half of the show, the Twitterverse lit up with suggestions that he'd been fired backstage. Clearly, Gervais had done so much damage entertaining the viewers at home (or appalling them, depending on their belief in decorum),
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
I thought he was funny. (just watched the clip-not the whole show).
As you say, Hollywood types usually get their giggles at the expense of conservatives. Apparently they don’t take it that well when the barbs are directed at them.
Go, Ricky G.
I’m so “out of touch” with movies that the only actor/actress’s name I recognized in the news scroll at the bottom of Fox was Annette Benning. And I didn’t recognize the names of any of the movies. Actually the only movie I’ve saw in a theater last year, because I thought it was worth the admission price, was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Gervais doesn’t need Hollywood anymore and he’s doing to Hollywood what Hollywood does to those it doesn’t need anymore. He’ll do fine off of his residuals and royalties.
Golden Globes Scandal May Require FCC Action
“A former Golden Globes publicist’s allegations that members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association buy and sell nominations for gifts and other perks might force the Federal Communications Commission to get involved.
An FCC official told TheWrap that this was an area governed by the federal agency under so-called “sponsorship identification” regulations.
“We are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the public airwaves, including enforcing ‘sponsorship identification rules,’” the official told TheWrap.”
OFCOURSE ZERO’S DONORS WILL TELL HIM THAT THE FCC NEEDS TO BACK OFF.
In the old days, the Oscars were fun to watch because that was the ONLY time we saw actors not acting. They said a gracious thank you and we still liked them after. The fantasy was unbroken.
Actually, that is what sorta started the uproar, after he joked about two gay Scientology men pretending to be straight. Anyone who has ever peeked a tab while standing in line at the grocery store knew that he meant Cruise and Travolta. Someone from the audience groaned and Ricky said something along the lines that it was okay because "they weren't there" tonight. He also added that his jokes had been lawyer vetted.
Just watched the highlights.....the HFPA wanted Gervais to kiss their arrogant, high and mighty behinds and Gervais pretty much said no.
Celebs got what deserve. It brought them down to earth and that’s a good thing.
And I loved all the film clips of DeNiro's hits and how humble he was when he said there were many, many films he had made that few had ever seen-they were bad, bad, bad.
I can only conclude that Ricky was the show; the “actors” were simply the scenery.
I think there are enough awards shows to support it’s own cable channel - The Entertainment Awards Show Channel.
They have one. It’s called MTV..........
Why is there no music on Music Television?.............
Hollywood has gotten so vile and vulgar that it's become the Gemorah to San Franpsycho's Sodom!!!
I am trying to remember the last awards show I watched. I think it was the year 'Titanic' won everything. That's the Oscars, right?
There are so many award shows because it is hands-down the cheapest way for a production company and a network to get big ratings.
You get lots of high priced TV and movie and music talent in one room — and you don’t have to pay them.
Maybe you mount one ‘Glee’ style production number for the rubes. And the band and the director get paid. But the production costs are peanuts — no sound stages or locations, no screenplay, no acting, no filming, no special effects that take weeks, months, or even years to produce. You can put the whole thing together in a few weeks.
So all these award shows aren’t going away until the ratings diminish where they’re no longer profitable.
Gervais insulted many rich and famous snobs and punctured hyper-inflated egos . . . Bravo ! I never watch these self-congratulatory ego fests myself. Like the academy awards ceremony, watching is a total waste of my time
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