Ricky Gervais to host Golden Globe Awards

Okay, this makes much better sense to me, and is a much better fit for Gervais, than the Oscar hosting gig so many fans covet for the comedian.  It was announced today that Ricky Gervais will host this year’s Golden Globe awards ceremony, the first time there has been an emcee for the show since 1995.

I suppose this could be seen as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s way of competing with an Oscar telecast that is clearly trying to up the ante with fresh producers and a spin off of last year’s successful show.  Gervais gives the Globes a face and a marketing in that the show hasn’t really had before.

But back to why I think this is a better fit than Oscar: TV.  Gervais is a television personality first and foremost, in my mind, despite cross-over attempts in the multiplex.  The Oscar host should really be a movie person, someone who can give off that Hollywood sheen.  I don’t think Gervais can do that, but he brings a lot to the table when it comes to the Globes, so I see this as a great get.

The full press release after the jump.

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA–(Marketwire – October 26, 2009) – Multi-talented Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Ricky Gervais (“The Invention of Lying,” “The Office”) will host “The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards” on Sunday, January 17, 2010 on NBC. This year’s show will be broadcast live coast-to-coast from 5-8 p.m. (PT) and 8-11 p.m. (ET) from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. This marks the first time the telecast has had a host since 1995.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, dick clark productions and NBC made the announcement today.

“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 is probably best known for his role as David Brent on the BBC version of “The Office.” Gervais produced, wrote (with Stephen Merchant), directed and acted on the mock documentary series from 2001-2003. Twelve episodes and a two-part Christmas special later, “The Office” is consigned to broadcasting history as one of the most perfectly crafted comedy series in British TV history. The show was showered with awards and critical acclaim and Gervais became a household name. Gervais and Merchant teamed up again in 2005 to create the award-winning series “Extras” in which he played an aspiring actor.

Following his success from “The Office,” Gervais embarked on his first live standup show “Animals,” based on his fascination with the animal kingdom. He spent much of 2004 on tour around the U.K. with his follow-up standup act the, highly acclaimed “Politics.” Both shows became best selling DVDs. In 2007, Gervais’ stand-up show “Fame” became the fastest-selling British comedy tour of all time. In 2008, Gervais took to the stage again and received an Emmy nomination for his special “Ricky Gervais: Out of England – The Stand-Up.”

This year Gervais wrote, directed and starred in the feature film “The Invention of Lying” alongside Jennifer Garner, Jonah Hill, Louis C.K., Rob Lowe and Tina Fey (NBC’s “30 Rock”).

“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,” a movie based on his award-winning children’s book.

Gervais also executive-produces the American version of “The Office” with Greg Daniels, Ben Silverman, Stephen Merchant, Howard Klein and Paul Lieberstein.

Nominations for “The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards” will be announced at 8 a.m. (ET) on Tuesday, December 15.

“The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards” will be seen in more than 160 countries worldwide and is one of the few awards ceremonies that span both television and motion picture achievements. The special will be produced by dick clark productions in association with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Philip Berk is President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Orly Adelson, president of dick clark productions and Barry Adelman will executive-produce the special. Chris Donovan is the director and dick clark productions Bob Bardo is the executive in charge of production.