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.
I don’t think it sounds like him at all and will be really surprised if it turns out to be true. And the source is the Nat Enq…
And surely if an NBC exec said he’d be welcome back, which I have no problem believing, then I don’t really see the problem here. I read this as him just defending himself against charges of lying, which he’s entitled to do.
Tom Hanks was making a joke! Sort of like the jokes Gervais had been throwing out all night. We Brits like our jokes with cruel undertones and a satirical edge. If NBC unofficially invited him back then he has every right to explain the missunderstanding so that he doesn’t look like a liar.
Nobody seemed deeply offended to me, I doubt celebs can afford to be so fragile or carry ‘delicate egos’ in that business, and anything coming from the National Enguirer is BS until proven otherwise by a more credible source.
(Glaring at the harried mom, Gervais suddenly sneered: “Time to get the old tubes tied, luv, don’cha think?”)
Uh-Oh! Sounds like Scientology is putting their Fair Game policy into effect.. Ricky better be careful… lol! 😛
Ricky didn’t say at any point that it was the HFPA who asked him back, he simply stated that it was the “organizers”; he could have meant NBC all along. He did mention an increase in the ratings so it’s likely he meant the TV show organizers but it wasn’t specified.
I doubt he backtracked, seems to me the quote was used by the media who picked up on it to stir things up again and the HFPA assumed he was talking about them so Ricky felt the need to elaborate further.
And as for the NI “article” I don’t think that happened, certainly not in that context anyway. He strikes me as the kind of person who has more respect for the general public than the celebrities he takes pot shots at. And it’s the National Enquirer, so I call BS on pretty much anything they say.
No, it doesn’t sound like him.
Kaiser, you know I love you but I seriously think you’re nitpicking when it comes to Gervais.
EDIT: I agree with everything Nicky (# 4) said. And yes, I also think Tom Hanks was joking when he said that.
So Ricky is the White Star Jones I guess.
I think it absolutely sounds like him. It’s a shame too because he was much funnier before he started his douche transformation. Now he just sounds like a bitter, self absorbed asshole. That mother should have told him to get snipped. We don’t need any more of what he is turning into.
Eve – I honestly used to like him a lot! But in the aftermath of the Globes, he’s come across really poorly, IMO. Oh, and I totally believe the Enquirer story.
@ Kaiser:
I don’t. Really. And I’m not blindingly defending him because I’m a fan of his work, I truly think people overreacted after the Golden Globes.
P.S.: Off topic: saw The Tourist and let’s just say Paul Bettany has a new fan (I was waiting for a post about him or featuring him in any way *wink, wink* but since nothing has been posted I’m telling about it here).
I always adore how The Enquirer is correct in every story they print, except when it comes to a few stories about a certain celeb duo everyone adores.
No, the story from them does not sound like him, IMO.
He is defending himself after it was suggested he was lying! Who wouldn’t? this is not whining,this is clarifying imo.
I still think people are overreacting, and supporting this “culture” of worshiping celebrities.
For all that money and good life they have, I wouldn’t mind someone making jokes about me.
@devilgirl check this out.(scroll down for the exception) http://gawker.com/5638480/which-tabloids-lie-the-most
Although NE isn’t on the chart the spirit is true. Tabs lie more about that certain little duo (or trio) to sell mags.
he is still around?please thats so boring…
No different from stuff Kathy Griffin says and everyone fawns over her.
To me, he’s always come across as a bit douchy and egotistical. I don’t know if the NE tidbit is true, but I don’t think I’d be surprised if it’s true.
Yes, I thought Tom Hanks was joking and basically OK with Gervais’s humor. I even thought RDJ’s joke was actually just a piggy-back on Gervais’s act, not a protestation.
hes funny. people are too sensitive.
Doesn’t sound like him at all. Mean spirited humor is his deal but he directs at people who are celebrities or others who can actually take it or merit it.
The most annoying part about this is that everyone knew what to expect when he was hired. And now they’re acting like it was a surprise because a few people may have been offended (was anyone really offended?). I think the HPFA is relishing in the publicity while claiming they’re upset. It behooves them to keep this story going since the group itself is mostly irrelevant.
And no, I’m not a huge Ricky fan but I don’t think he did anything wrong except make me cackle (my cackling isn’t a good sound).
Let’s take up a collection and help the poor guy get his teeth fixed.
Seriously Ricky. It’s time. You look like an understudy for the Texarkana Regional Touring Company’s production of Vampire Diaries: The Much Later Years.
I can totally picture Gervais telling the joke about a woman getting her tubes tied, it’s his humor and I don’t think NE writers are that clever. I am guessing that just like many comedians (think Jim Carrey) he has some personality problems and always has had them but before no one was paying attention.
I would say it’s unfair for people to start judging him because he isn’t exactly traditional tab fodder except he’s earned it. And I am not going to let his actual personality stop me from loving his work.
@krissy_kitty
I think your are right! This National Enquirer story is a Xenu plant to begin the process of character assasination against Gervais.
Ricky you messed with the wrong fake-religion-cult-crazy-ass-brainwashing organization!
@Smith- So Ricky would be more aesthetically pleasing to the masses with piano key veneers in ultra white, which to me are worse than natural teeth, that have some character to them.
I am all about dental care, but really, the teeth in Hollywood gross me out with their almost day-glo white and chicklett/piano key shape. Some celebs are so fake it is sad.
Totally agree with Devilgirl on this one (# 22).
Ditto, Devilgirl.
LOL @ krissy_kitty! Not sure that that’s too far-fetched actually, that someone who took offence at Ricky’s GG comments might be bad-mouthing him to salve their hurt ego?
@devilgirl. Is your version my only other option? lol.
You do enjoy rewording posts to poise your point, dontcha? I’ve seen your work before.
When someone comments, how about you don’t assume they mean something way off to the left of what they’ve said – lol, and then judge them on it?
You have more to offer than that.
@Smith- Don’t worry about “my work” and I won’t worry about your posts either.
Fair enough?!
still Team Ricky
i do come to this site quite often and for one reason only: the bitchy snark is hands-down some of the best in the gossip-sphere… just like i like my bitchy snark on gossip sites, i like them in my comedians.. F hollywood, F the sensies out there, i am just over people making controversy over some rich, privileged jack-offs getting their sensi feelings hurt
i’m seriously doubting gervais said that to the woman in starbucks. not funny enough for him.
I don’t know, I saw him on the Graham Norton show and I think he does have a delicate ego, but at the same time I think he also has a biting sense of humor and the stuff he might say as a joke comes off wrong to some people. I don’t believe this story not because it might not be true but cause of the source and I don’t believe shit from the National Enq. Haven not made up my mind about him yet but some of his jokes at the Globe were awesome and some failed … my biggest beef with him as that he had dated jokes not that they were mean.
Ricky Gervais’ comedy always had a streak of mean and nasty. It’s not some new thing. Just because he did a couple of dull, inoffensive comedies doesn’t mean he was ever actually a nice guy.
Kaiser why the Gervais hate?
Love him and love that he said if they dont care about hurting 200 fragile egos!
Team Ricky!!
I don’t really care much about Ricky Gervais either way, but I agree with krissy_kitty. The Church is incredibly spiteful and lashes out HARD when crossed; if this isn’t their work, I’m sure Gervais will be feeling it soon.
I’ve lived in Britain for 8 years and have loved Ricky for this long. However, my friend recently told me about someone she knows who works backstage at the 02 arena (or some big venue, can’t remember!) and that Ricky was a real asshole to the staff there, a total diva. I was really disappointed. : (
“douchy and egotistical” is Ricky’s comedy persona. I’ve seen him do a sketch for Comic Relief where he forced a disabled guy out of his wheelchair just so he could have a little fun riding around. Sounds cruel and distasteful, but was very funny.
And I totally buy the Zenu story planting theory.
That sounds like him to me *shrug*. He doesn’t like kids and doesn’t want them, add to that that he can be nasty, so I totally could buy him saying that.
Oh and yeah he has a delicate ego all right.
Who are these people at the Golden Globe anyway? God? Untouchable? Unlaughable? Oh please, you are entertainers and humor is a must in your blood, especially the ability to laugh at yourself. GET OVER IT.