The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced Monday comedian Ricky Gervais will again return to host the 2016 Golden Globe awards, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The 54-year-old English comedian hosted the TV and film awards show for three consecutive years, from 2010-2012, but swore to never return following his last appearance, after his sense of humor began to wear on both spectators and members of the association.
In 2011, the comedian insulted stars Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., Charlie Sheen, Tom Cruise, John Travolta, the starring cast members of of Sex and the City 2, and Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner, all during his opening remarks.
Although his 2012 performance was toned down from the previous years, Gervais made a joke during the show about lesbian actress Jodie Foster, which was interpreted by many as homophobic.
“Jodie Foster’s Beaver,” the comedian quipped in reference to Foster’s film The Beaver, “I haven’t seen it myself. I’ve spoken to a lot of guys here, they haven’t seen it either”.
Then-HFPA President Phillip Berk said after the show Gervais “crossed the line” with some of the jokes.
Since 2013, co-hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler have presided over the show, however the pair saw a dramatic decline in ratings in 2015, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Current HFPA president Lorenzo Soria announced Monday Gervais left a “lasting impression” during his three-year stint, and said members were thrilled about his return.
“His off-the-cuff wit and quirky charm will surely have the room and audiences around the world at the edge of their seats,” added Soria.
The news of Gervais’ return comes a week after an announcement that comedian Chris Rock, who is also known for telling controversial jokes, will host the upcoming Academy Awards in February.
Check out some of Gervais’s most controversial past Golden Globe remarks, via The Independent, below:
2010
“Looking at all the wonderful faces here today reminds me of the great work that’s been done this year… by cosmetic surgeons,” he said.
Gervais added, “I’ve had some work done, too. I’ve had a penis reduction. Just got the one now. And it is very tiny. But then so are my hands, so when I’m holding it it looks pretty big. ”
2011
“It’s going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking – or as Charlie Sheen calls it: breakfast.”
Gervais later quipped, presumably about actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta, “Also not nominated, I Love You Phillip Morris. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. So the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists.”
The comedian then compared Hugh Hefner’s age to the AMC zombie drama The Walking Dead.
2012
Following his joke about Jodie Foster, Gervais was censored for telling a joke about Spanish-speaking actors Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas.
“I don’t know because I can’t understand a f—king word they’re saying,” he said.
He also joked that Madonna’s 1984 hit “Like a Virgin” was inaccurate, considering the singer’s storied romantic past.
The 2016 Golden Globes will air Jan. 10.
Nominations will be announced on Dec. 10.
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