Ricky Gervais defends his jokes at Globes

Wednesday, 19 January 2011

Ricky Gervais has defended his jokes at the Golden Globes

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Comedian Ricky Gervais has defended delivering a string of acerbic put-downs while hosting the Golden Globe Awards.

The star (49) has been criticised for making near-the-knuckle jokes at the expense of shocked Hollywood A-listers in the audience.

Gervais took to his blog yesterday to deny reports that he was reprimanded by ceremony organisers.

The defiant British comic said he made better jokes this year than at last year's glittering event.

He wrote: “I enjoyed the Globes more this year. I think I had better gags. More along the lines of the Mel Gibson one last year (when Gervais made a jibe about the film star's drinking).”

The comedian, who sparked speculation that he was told off by organisers when he disappeared during the ceremony, added: “Obviously the rumour that the organisers stopped me going out on stage for an hour is rubbish.”

Gervais said: “I did every link I was scheduled to do. The reason why the gaps were uneven is because when I got the rundown I was allowed to choose who I presented to.

“I obviously chose the spots that I had the best gags for. They couldn't move around the order but I could move around however I wanted.”

The star added: “All the same conspiracy theories as last year too ... ‘so and so was offended' ... ‘hasn't been invited back yet' ... exactly the same as last time. ‘Paul McCartney was furious' ... no he wasn't. And nor was Tim Allen and Tom Hanks. I was drinking with them after.”

The star took a swipe at Sir Paul's ex-wife Heather Mills during the awards and after introducing Allen and Hanks, the pair said: “We recall when Ricky Gervais was a slightly chubby but very kind comedian ... neither of which is he now.”

The New York Daily News called him “tasteless, bordering on nasty”, while the LA Times said his jokes set “a corrosive tone” for the night.

Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Philip Berk, who heads the group responsible for the ceremony, said: “He definitely crossed the line. And some of the things were totally unacceptable. But that's Ricky.”