Ricky Gervais Is Back as Golden Globes Host, Just Like You Figured

Tim Grierson
·Editor

For almost a year now, Ricky Gervais has been dining out on the fact that his Golden Globes hosting job back in January was "controversial." Was it really? Oh, of course not: He made a few mildly edgy jokes about older people and "The Tourist," but you know how sensitive some celebrities can be. Gervais has long insisted that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association wanted him back for next year's gig, and a week ago there were reports that a deal was close to happening. Today, the HFPA made it official: He'll be hosting for a third time when the award show airs January 15. Whether that news makes you happy or mad, you should probably thank Billy Crystal.

Our favorite part of the HFPA's announcement is how they play up the "Gervais is so crazy even we can't control him" angle:

After weeks of rumours it's finally official -- Ricky Gervais will be back to host the Golden Globes for a third year.

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.

We love all the revisionist history going on in this statement. Back in February, it was the Hollywood Foreign Press who insisted they didn't want Gervais. But now they're bravely bringing him back -- even though he made people angry! The HFPA are true heroes, huh? And if lame "controversy" brings in higher ratings, hey, that was never what this was about anyway, right? Honestly, both the HFPA and Gervais have acted like a couple who broke up but spend all their time since telling everybody that they ended it with the other person and that they're so much happier now that they're single.

But while these conversations about Gervais returning have been going on since October, we can't help but think that they were moved along by the Oscars' decision to go with Billy Crystal as host after RatnerGate. The Academy Awards went with the tried-and-true and in the process gave more legitimacy to the Golden Globes' reputation as the stuffy Oscars' drunker, rambunctious kid brother who everybody loves hanging out with more. So, in the end, everybody gets what they want. The Globes get to seem edgy, and Gervais gets to continue playing "the bad boy" that the industry is afraid of. "Ha ha Hello. Welcome to my world," he tweeted right after the announcement was made. We recognize it from the last time around, Mr. Gervais.

YES, RICKY'S BACK! [The Hollywood Foreign Press Association]