Buzz for Ricky Gervais to host next year's Oscars begins

Those who caught this year's dismal Emmy Awards know that one of the lone bright spots (and no, we're not referring to Josh Groban's confusing theme song medley) was when Ricky Gervais berated Steve Carell for stealing his Emmy.

Well, turns out Gervais impressed the right people. Reps for the star of Extras and the original Office said they were flooded with requests to get the comedian to host the biggest award ceremony on earth: the Oscars. While nothing is confirmed, Gervais enters a race that was thought to include fellow Emmy darling Tina Fey and, uh, Justin Timberlake (no, really). Gervais' self-proclaimed "outsider" status could certainly liven up the Oscar telecast a bit, or as can be expected for a four-hour long show saddled with lifeless musical performances and monotonous speeches.

The news brightens up a time that had been especially bleak for Gervais. His shockingly well-reviewed "I see dead people" comedy Ghost Town flopped, grossing just $9 million its first two weekends. The film, while seemingly headed toward the box office graveyard, should do much better when released on DVD. Gervais will next been seen in an HBO comedy special in November, and will co-write, direct and star in This Side of Truth.

Watch the Gervais/Carell Emmy Awards bit below:



Related links:
News: Ricky Gervais to direct first feature
News: Gervais and Co. make progress on This Side of Truth
Metacritic: Ghost Town

Got news tips for Paste? E-mail news@pastemagazine.com.