Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Is Hollywood Too Precious?

Ya like him, or ya hate him.
Since I first saw him in TV's The Office, I've thought British actor/comedian Ricky Gervais is not funny. After Monday's 68th Golden Globe Awards, many in Hollywood agree! MCing for the second straight year, Gervais pulled no punches with his sarcasm. Here're some of the high (low) lights:
+About The Tourist: “I’d like to quash this ridiculous rumour...that the only reason The Tourist was nominated was so the Hollywood Foreign Press could hang out with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. That is rubbish....they also accepted bribes.”
+About Bruce Willis: he referred to him as Ashton Kutcher’s dad.
+About Charlie Sheen: “It’s gonna be a night of partying and heavy drinking. Or as Charlie calls it: breakfast.”
+About Scientology: “Also not nominated, I Love You Phillip Morris. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor - two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. So the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists then” (apparently referring to John Travolta and Tom Cruise).
Celebrities laughed, booed and groaned, some voiced disdain on stage. Tom Hanks said he could recall “when Ricky Gervais was a slightly chubby but very kind comedian.” Tim Allen replied, “Neither of which he is now.”

The Golden Globe Awards are more relaxed and party-like than most ceremonies, but some critics say Gervais went too far. But being an industry in the public eye, should actors have broader shoulders? A bigger capacity for self-depracation? Or - being a Brit - is Gervais really an outsider who's not allowed to poke fun with them at their own expense?
After this furore, I can't see Ricky hosting the Golden Globes again...
PS: 19 Jan.2011 - Gervais defends himself.
PS: 21 Jan.2011 - Ricky Gervais: now billed as "the couldn't-care-less comedian"!
PS: 23 Jan.2011 - A democratic solution to the Golden Globes...
PS: 17 Nov.2011 - Gluttons for punishment: Gervais gets the nod for 2012 MC!!!

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