Ricky Gervais Plans to Channel Rat Pack as Host of Golden Globes

Ricky Gervais was tapped in October to host the 67th Annual Golden Globes awards show—the first host the show has had since 1995. Gervais himself was a Golden Globe winner in 2004 for BBC’s The Office.

Still, the pressure does not seem to be building for Gervais, who told Entertainment Tonight that regardless of the reviews, he likely won’t host again. “This doesn’t affect me either way, if I am being honest…The roles won’t dry up for me because I put myself in the things that I have written and directed, so I always get a job.”

Gervais offers a refreshing take on the awards show hosting gig. He promises there will be no shticky song-and-dance numbers and other cheesy awards show staples. “It is going to be relaxed. I want to host it like someone from the Rat Pack would host it—just off the cuff and playing the room, and having fun…roasting a few of the A-listers.” Gervais knows who not to mess with, though. For one, he insists that he plans to steer clear of George Clooney. “He would never forgive me. I would be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. I would have to go into Witness Protection,” he joked.

Certainly, the Golden Globes are not known for the elaborate spectacle or big budget production values of the Academy Awards or the Grammys. The ceremony is presented to nominees and guests sitting at tables eating and drinking. More than once, a winner has been rushed to the stage because they were in the restroom when their award was announced. The show is simply less-scripted, less formal and even a little shorter than other big awards ceremonies. So Gervais’ unique, relaxed approach, though perhaps unorthodox, is ideally suited to the show’s format.

Nominations for the Golden Globes will be announced at 8 a.m. EST this Tuesday, Dec. 15. At the 2010 ceremony, Martin Scorsese will be honored with the Cecil B. DeMille award for lifetime achievement. And just this previous Tuesday (Dec. 8), at a dinner at Nobu in L.A., the Hollywood Foreign Press Association named Mavis Spencer, 18-year-old daughter of actress Alfre Woodard, as this year’s Miss Golden Globes, a non-speaking emcee role annually bestowed upon the daughter of a Hollywood celebrity. The Golden Globes will air on NBC on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 at 8 p.m. EST.

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