Dreams really do come true.
For years, I have been wishing and hoping and thinking and praying that Ricky Gervais would host an awards show. He’s been delightful as a presenter, in his stand-up specials, his TV shows and movies, so it was only a matter of time before a producer of an awards ceremony snapped up the Office creator.
And what better awards fete than the Golden Globes — my favourite! Sure, part of the appeal has been that it’s been host-less for the past 15 years, but if there’s anyone who can do it justice, it’s Gervais.
If you’ve seen the previews leading up to the big night, then you probably already laughed at Gervais’ quick, sarcastic wit, self-deprecation and jokes about what he’s done with the money NBC has already given him.
Gervais took part in a hilarious conference call with the media and dished about his plans for the night, whom he might target, the shows he wants to win, and whether he is actually on Twitter.
During the Emmys, you set the standard by explaining to us that the Emmys didn’t have as many beautiful people, and that you were maybe above average. Could you do the same service for us on the Golden Globes? How does that sit as far as beautiful people and where does that put you in the spectrum there?
Ricky Gervais: Well, just like that introduction, I think I got carried away and went a little bit over-the-top. Looking back, I don’t think I am above average, so I’d like to retract that immediately. I mean, they should have gone to the less beautiful people, but they went to shots of Tom Hanks and things. So it ruined it for me.
But how do I think I’ll fare at the Golden Globes? Oh, there’ll be Brad Pitt and people like that, so no chance. I’ll be lucky if I’m above average amongst the staff in the kitchens.
You’ve talked about how you might not be preparing, but are you serious? Will there be no preparation before you start to host?
RG: Oh, no. No, no, no. What I meant was I’m not going to do any sort of shtick. I’m not going to do pre-records, I’m not going to do a dance number; I’m not going to rehearse with anyone. I’m going to plan what I’m going to say, I know what I’m going to do, but I’m going to go out there and sort of relax.
I want to host it a little bit more like someone from the Rat Pack would host it, just off-the-cuff and just playing the room and having fun with the people and roasting a few of the A-listers and hopefully it’ll be fun for the room and the people at home.
I think I’m an acquired taste; I think I’m best in small doses. So, yeah, I don’t want to overstay my welcome. I don't want to overwhelm the show. And I’m just doing it for a laugh, if I’m being totally honest. I think it’s a party. I’m going to keep it loose and fun.
But, no, I’m certainly going to have targets, as it were; not in a bad way. But it’s not going to be the complete shambles. Over the three hours I imagine my tie is going to come off and I’ll get drunker and drunker. So I don’t know what the last hour is going to be like, but I hope the first hour is going to be watchable.
Is this kind of show a little different, since it’s in a hotel ballroom and people are eating and drinking and stuff, rather than a big theatre like the Emmys or Oscars? Do you play it a little differently that way?
RG: It’s funny, it’s probably the worst one for the host but the best one for the nominees and guests. So, yeah, it’s a bittersweet experience. I’d rather be at a table getting drunk certainly than working, yeah. I might as well be staff. I’ll be shouting at them. ‘Oh [Tom] Cruise, stop scraping your plate when I’m talking.’
We’re going to be seeing you throughout a three-hour telecast. You think at some point you’re going to be roasting yourself for getting involved in this thing?
RG: I think you could be right. I don’t do well with anything that’s even close to hard work. So it could go one of three ways. I could go up there and be pleasant and do a wonderful job and be professional about it.
I could go up there, aim to do that, but then get a little bit annoyed and start berating everyone including myself for ever thinking I could do this, that’s the other way.
Or three, I decide to start drinking early. And then I’ll have a good time at least. So I hope it’s just the first one. I hope I go out there and do a pretty good job. I mean, this doesn’t affect me either way, if I’m being honest. I’ve never done anything to further my career or up my profile or use as a stepping stone to something else. I’ll probably never do this again.
So this sort of thing doesn’t affect me because I create my own labour. The roles won’t dry up for me because I put myself in the things I’ve written and directed. So I always get a job. I’m my own boss. I give myself the job first.
Your bursts, your spurts at these awards shows, have always been the best part about them but in terms of carrying that forward for a full three-hour telecast, does that give you pause at all?
RG: Well, if there’s one man that can burst and spurt for three hours, it’s me.
Which celeb are you looking most forward to roasting?
RG: Oh well, I think targets is a scary term. That makes it look like I’m going to be doing put-downs. But I think it’s going to be fun. I’m certainly not going to do anything cruel or distasteful, hopefully. But I think gentle ribbing.
But all of them, anyone who’s younger and thinner and richer and more attractive than me, they’re the ones I’m going for. Rainn Wilson is safe again; Steve Carell is on the cusp.
What about George Clooney, because he’s a notorious prankster? It’s your chance to get back at him.
RG: Yeah, I think that he’d never forgive me though, would he? I’d be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. I’d have to go into witness protection. But what can you do with George Clooney? What is there to take the mickey out of, you know what I mean? ‘And George Clooney over there, the most handsome, best actor in the world who’s nice to everyone.’ It’s like having a go at Mother Theresa.
Do you have a specific TV comedy that you’re rooting for this year?
RG: Well, obviously I’m involved with The Office and I think they’ve done a great job. If the show wins, then I win. I think it could be my only chance to win anything.
But it’s their hard work. The idea coming from me, I won’t let Steve Carell ever forget that. But they’ve all done an amazing job from Greg Daniels down to every member of the cast. So I never want it to end because I get paid for every episode, so I don’t want Steve Carell to ever take a holiday. I’m working him like an old horse. He’s going to collapse before I end that show.
Ricky, do you have a Twitter account? And if so will you be tweeting through the Golden Globes? We've seen a lot of that lately.
RG: No, I closed down about 38 false Ricky Gervais Twitter accounts. But maybe I’ll do one especially for the Golden Globes; that would be fun.
I think people would love to read that and love to follow along and see what you’re thinking while you’re —
RG: Yeah, but I’ve got an iPhone and I’ve got fat fingers so the spelling mistakes would be horrendous. I’ll say the wrong thing, it’d be terrible. I’d insult the world because I’m trying to do it quickly because I’ve got to go out because someone’s having a fight, Kanye West has jumped up and is wrestled —
— Yeah, I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you change your mind.
The 2010 Golden Globe Awards air live Sunday, Jan. 17, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, CTV/NBC.
Pumped for Ricky? denette@tvguide.ca
Follow Denette on Twitter!
