Ricky Gervais went on the Graham Norton show recently and explained his very peculiar method of preparation for hosting the Golden Globes – a last minute check-in with a lawyer.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has tapped the controversial comic to make a fifth appearance at their soirée celebrating film and television excellence. It marks the British star’s return after a four year absence. He claims it will be his final go, which “could make for a fun evening.”
Whereas other award shows deploy a squad of crack joke writers (track down the 1999 Bruce Vilanch documentary Get Bruce! if you need an infusion of old school seltzer) the Globes revel in being a looser event, and seem amped to let their uncensored host get up there and do his thing.
In the recent interview Gervais confirmed that no one approves what he’ll say or who he’ll target, but he does inform a lawyer “just before” he goes on. He claimed that he’s never had to change anything because “he knows the law.”
While Gervais’ remarks may have never qualified as slander, they’ve been increasingly out of step with current comedy mores about “punching down,” and the Norton discussion feels like a planned bit of PR for us all to get triggered—and, of course, then tune in to the Globes to be even further offended. What began in 2010 with some light ribbing, like asking “where does he get his ideas?” about Steve Carell (a reference to the American remake of Gervais’ British show The Office) felt over-the-top in 2016, particularly a joke at the expense of Caitlyn Jenner.
This will be Gervais’ first hosting gig since the beginning of the #MeToo movement. The actor recently defended Louis C.K. in a Vanity Fair interview.
On the Graham Norton show, Gervais said that he’s often asked “why go to so much trouble to offend people?” to which he quipped, “it’s no trouble.”
The 77th Golden Globe Awards will be broadcast on January 5, 2020.