Over the past few days, people have been reliving Ricky Gervais’s “controversial” appearance as host of the Golden Globes. Ricky started the kerfuffle when he claimed, in a British publication, that despite the widespread criticism of his performance, he had been invited back as host for next year’s Globes. In his words, “organizers asked me to consider a third year.” The Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s president issued a rebuttal: “We have not asked him to come back. Nice try, Ricky.” Ricky then back-tracked, claiming that NBC had asked him to come back, not the HFPA: “At no point did I talk to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. I’m absolutely sure they don’t want me back.” He then wrote this on his blog:

“The TV show organizers said they were happy with everything and asked me to not rule out a third gig. However, it is not entirely up to them. The Hollywood Foreign Press and various other committees need to meet and agree. I have no idea if they want me back again. It depends whether they care about fifty delicate egos in the room or the 200 million people watching at home who want a laugh. Also, even if they did want me back, at the moment I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t do it. But I’ll tell you this. If they do invite me back and I accept, I’m going to pull exactly the same s*** again or even worse.”

[From Ricky Gervais’s blog, via Access Hollywood]

I still have mixed feelings about this – while Ricky’s opening monologue at the Globes was mostly hilarious, most of his “introductions” of presenters were rather nasty and spiteful, as opposed to “clever” – which Ricky clearly thinks he is. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a fan of Ricky Gervais for years – but this whole Globes thing has been a real turnoff for me, and a big chunk of the turnoff is how Ricky is coming across like a big baby. It would be one thing if he had just come out after the Globes and said “Yeah, I burned the f-cker down. I’m not coming back, ever.” He tried saying that at first, then he whined about people critiquing him in several interviews, and even tried to justify his jokes by citing various examples of celebrities who thought he was funny. And then he does this big song and dance about whether he should host again when he clearly hasn’t been invited. Why so touchy, Ricky? Who has the “delicate ego” now?

So that was my mindset when I read this gossip blurb in the National Enquirer. I completely believe this happened:

Nasty as ever after his Golden Globes roast-fest, Ricky Gervais was entering a Starbucks on Santa Monica Blvd. when a woman pushing a baby stroller with one hand – and clutching a toddler walking beside her with the other – tried to squeeze past the controversial comedian as her tykes wailed.

Glaring at the harried mom, Gervais suddenly sneered: “Time to get the old tubes tied, luv, don’cha think?”

Shocked, the woman stoof in silent horror as gasbag Gervais nimbly walked past her and strutted into the coffee shop, whistling cheerily.

[From The National Enquirer, print edition]

Sounds like him, doesn’t it? I agree with Tom Hanks, Ricky was funnier when he was heavier. Losing weight and being hungry all the time has made him into a big bitch.

Photos courtesy of WENN.