Gervais to host Golden Globes

Wow. This is a surprise. Next year, the Golden Globes ceremony is going to feature its first host since 1995, and that host is going to be Ricky Gervais. "I have resisted many other offers like this," Gervais said, "but there are just some things you don't turn down." The telecast is on Jan. 17.

Gervais turned down those previous offers, I bet, because he knows that hosting awards shows is a mostly thankless and doomed job, one that usually only brings criticism and disappointment. It's the very rare awards-show host who doesn't get tiresome by hour three. "Not only is this the biggest Hollywood celebration of the industry, which includes both film and TV," he explained about his change of heart, "but also an environment where I feel I can get free reign as a host." Maybe his lackluster movie career is playing a role in his decision-making, too?

I do hope Gervais (here's my recent interview with him) will be an exception and do a brilliant job. He has had prime moments on awards shows in recent years (see below), and he has helped to change the face of TV comedy across the decade with his influential cringe-comedy masterpiece "The Office." Fingers, as they say, crossed.

What do you think?