Golden Globes fans plead for Ricky Gervais return as comedian addresses absence with controversial post amid Nikki Glaser replacement
Viewers of the Golden Globes on Sunday night were left pining for comedian Ricky Gervais’ no holds barred monologues as some slammed the awards show as a “waste of air time” without him.
Gervais, 63, has hosted the glitzy US awards ceremony five times in the past, in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2020.
Comedian Nikki Glaser, 40, was chosen to helm the 82nd annual awards at The Beverly Hilton in tinsel town.
The 40-year-old opened the ceremony by branding it “Ozempic’s biggest night” before launching into jokes about lecherous Hollywood producers, Diddy parties and some gentle ribbing of the guests.
Despite some of her risqué material, some fans took to social media to share their disappointment with the lack of Gervais – with some even refusing to watch until he is invited to host again.
One fan said on X they would only tune in when “Ricky Gervais is speaking, the rest is just a waste of airtime”.
“If Ricky Gervais isn’t Hosting I’m not watching any award shows,” another declared.
A third wrote: “Ricky Gervais wasn’t hosting so there was no point.”
“Golden Globes is finished after Ricky Gervais’ monologue. No one takes it seriously,” a fourth slammed.
While one viewer blasted Glaser for being a “poor Ricky Gervais impression,” others praised her monologue.
“She nailed it. Definitely the best host(ess) since Ricky Gervais departure,” one glowed.
Another wrote: “She was great, but nobody is touching Ricky. And I bet you Nikki thinks so too. She kind of chickened out of going full send, which is why she isn’t touching Gervais.”
Ahead of the ceremony, Gervais revealed some of the jokes he had planned for a hypothetical hosting Golden Globes hosting gig following a “pretty good year for material”.
The controversial barbs included a swipe at Hollywood and Catholic church sex scandals while covering actors meeting travelling to meet the Pope this year.
“Obviously they weren’t content with only being part of the 2nd biggest p**o ring in the world,” he wrote.
The 61-year-old also made references the Diddy saga – for which the rapper has strenuously denied – mocking Kevin Hart for his excuse for attending.
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Sat in the bath wondering about what I would say if I were hosting The Golden Globes on Sunday. It’s been a pretty good year for material 😂 pic.twitter.com/cCelTdy0Eb
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 3, 2025
Gervais also made fun of Justin Timberlake and his drunk driving charge chiding: “If he’d have gone to jail he’d have heard the words ‘Sexy Back’ a lot more often.”
As standard, the beloved comedian accompanied his jokes with an amusingly grotesque bath selfie.