TV News: Rumors Claim Ricky Gervais Will Host Golden Globes Again

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CHICAGO – Apparently, Hollywood does not know how to quit Ricky Gervais, even when he gives them every reason to kick him out the door. Rumors have hit the web this morning that Ricky Gervais, creator of “The Office” (UK) and “Extras,” has been asked to return a third consecutive year as the host of the Golden Globe Awards.

The rumors are both surprising and somewhat expected. Gervais made news everywhere the last few years for his no-holds-bar attitude as the host of the awards that celebrate the year of film and television. Last year, Gervais was able to mock Johnny Depp repeatedly for his movie “The Tourist,” threw in a joke about Robert Downey Jr.’s substance abuse problems, and touched on some religious laughter at the expense of scientology enthusiasts Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

After the telecast, Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Phillip Berk told the media he had no idea what Ricky was planning on: “He definitely crossed the line. And some of the things were totally unacceptable. But that’s Ricky,” Berk said. “I had absolutely no idea what Ricky was going to say so anything I heard was heard the same time you heard it. When you hire Ricky Gervais, you expect the unexpected.”

The rumors of Ricky’s return, first reported by The New York Post, was followed by a tweet from Gervais that simply read “Ooooooh! The plot thickens… Thoughts?”

Will Hollywood deal have to deal with more jokes at their own expense this year? We will have to wait and see if the rumors are true and the most fearless host in Golden Globe history returns for a third year.

By TIM MARTENS Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com tim@hollywoodchicago.com