Ricky Gervais to Host Golden Globes in 2010

Today NBC, the broadcaster of the Golden Globe Awards, has annoucced that British comedian Ricky Gervais will host the awards ceremony on Sunday, January 17, 2010.

I understand that he's not universally loved, but I find Gervais to be very funny.  I had the opportunity to meet him very briefly this year at the Toronto International Film Festival, where he premiered The Invention of Lying.  He was super-nice and stopped to take a picture with a friend of mine.  My friend Cindy think he's "offensively hillarious".

Unlike the Oscars, the Golden Globes have not had a host since 1995, but NBC and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association have decided to change things up:

"Not only is this the biggest Hollywood celebration of the industry which includes both film and TV, but also an environment where I feel I can get free reign as a host. I have resisted many other offers like this, but there are just some things you don't turn down," said Gervais.

"Ricky is certainly one of the funniest people on the planet and has provided some of the most hilarious and memorable awards show moments in recent memory," said Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, NBC and Universal Media Studios. "His unique comedic style will enhance the only awards show that brings together television and film stars to celebrate entertainment's biggest night of the year."

"We are delighted to have Ricky Gervais as the host on our show," said Philip Berk, President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. "He'll bring his unique brand of humor and charm to what will continue to be a fast paced award show."

Gervais produced, wrote for and starred in the British series The Office, before producing the American version of the series in the U.S.   In addition to The Invention of Lying, he also starred in Ghost Town last year (which I has the pleasure of seeing at last year's TIFF).  Gervais sounds like a busy boy, here's just a sampling of some of his upcoming work:

Cemetery Junction" – Gervais' second film as writer and director and his first film co-written and directed with Stephen Merchant, is slated to be released in April 2010. He is currently in development with HBO for "The Ricky Gervais Show" – an animation of his record-breaking audio books, scheduled to air on the network early 2010. Gervais is also in development with Illumination ("The Simpsons Movie") for "Flanimals," movie – based on his award-winning children's book.

Source: NBC

Email me at clarissa @ tvovermind.com

Follow me at twitter.com/clarissa373