Gervais' jokes fall flat at Globes despite ratings boost

Ricky Gervais' turn as host of the Golden Globes saw NBC's ratings soar, but critics have by-and-large panned his performance.

According to NBC, the three-hour Golden Globes broadcast saw a 14 per cent increase in viewers from last year, drawing an audience of 16.9 million.

The British comedian, best known as co-creator and star of The Office and Extras, was originally hailed as a good fit for the hosting role.

But in mocking the glitterati of Hollywood's glamour stars, NBC and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Gervais simply "bit the hand that feeds him", wrote the New York Daily News.

"When will he learn that his spoof self-absorption is as obnoxious as the real thing?" the Guardian asked.

"In future, Gervais should stick to poking fun at these sorts of events from the sidelines rather than being an official spokesman," blogged one Telegraph writer.

Similarly, the New York Times deemed his performance "surprisingly uninspired" and "disappointingly toothless".

"Gervais had seemed an inspired choice to be the Globes' first host in 15 years. He's made some memorably raucous appearances at several awards shows in recent years. But for reasons Gervais or the show's producers only know, the host clearly strayed from his publicized pre-Globes pledge to stay off the cuff."

The Los Angeles Times noted that many of his jokes fell flat but said the show was an overall success. With "regular but understated reminders of how important it is to aid and support the people of Haiti, the Golden Globes actually didn't need Gervais to make it a good show".

Meanwhile, "Gervais' opening monologue generated only embarrassed chuckles from the assembled Tinseltown luminaries," the Chicago Sun Times wrote.

"When he admitted, 'I won't be asked to do this again,' you could almost sense the stars in that Hollywood hotel ballroom nodding in agreement."

However, ABC said Gervais brought a "welcome touch of cynical UK humour to an event that can never be taken un-seriously enough".

"The creator of The Office and Extras gleefully slipped the dagger into the both the ritual and many of its famous presenters with gags about Mel Gibson's drinking problem and even a cheeky suggestion the Globes could be bought."

And Canada's National Post praised him for "hitting the ground running" but lamented his lack of stage-time.

"When he was there, he was side-splittingly funny, but far too often, the producers opted to have the announcer introduce the presenters. Perhaps they were scared of what Gervais would say if he was given too much time, but if that's the case, why hire him at all?"

Gervais' gems

"Rachel from Friends and that guy [Gerard Butler] from 300."

"One thing that cant be bought is a Golden Globe...Officially."

"I've had a couple... I'm not going to lie to you. I hope I haven't offended anyone. I like a drink as much as the next man... Unless the next man is Mel Gibson."

"Looking at all these faces reminds me of all the great work that's been done this year... by cosmetic surgeons."

"Now let's get on with it before NBC replaces me with Jay Leno."

"The great thing about the Golden Globes is that it crushes prejudice and stereotypes. A particular stereotype is that Irishmen are drunk, hairy hellraisers. Now please welcome Colin Farrell."

"You can be in the Third World, and you get a glimpse of a Hollywood star, and it makes you feel better. You can be a little child, a little Asian child, with no possessions, no money - but you see a picture of Angelina Jolie and you think, 'Mummy!'"

- NZHERALD STAFF