Rick Gervais To Host The Golden Globes

Photo courtesy of The Golden Globes

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s (HFPA) announced Wednesday, via Twitter, that “Ricky Gervais will host the 69th Golden Globe Awards on January 15, 2012.” This will be the British comedian’s third time to host the HFPA’s Golden Globe Awards.

The group that voted Gervais in as host composed of 83 entertainment journalist from around the world. According to the LA Times, sixteen out of the 62 members that voted were opposed to Gervais’ return as host. NBC’s senior vice president of special events and lat night programming, Doug Vaughn, said: ““Ricky is delighted to be coming back. He said the G0lden Globes show is the most fun he has ever had.”

A blog post on the HFPA site stated, “while many welcome Gervais’ return, not everyone is happy with the decision because last year his blunt one-liners targeting big-name celebrities caused anger and resentment in some quarters.”

Gervais had even made blows against the HFPA leadership itself last year saying, “I had to help the HFPA president off the toilet and pop his teeth back in.”

When most thought Gervais would never be invited back again, the amount of buzz the comedian created could not be ignored. “This is a very clever decision,” said Spain HFPA member Gabriel Lerman. “Gervais was very funny, and we were very enthusiastic to bring him back. Maybe [he] did cross the line a few times [but] this is a night to have a good time.”

The Golden Globe Awards will be broadcast on NBC from the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 15, 2012.