Gervais slammed for insensitive jokes

[semiautomatix]

Los Angeles - NBC saw its telecast of the Golden Globe Awards draw nearly 17 million viewers on Sunday, a 14 percent jump from 2009 and a victory for the troubled network, despite a poorly reviewed performance by host Ricky Gervais.

The three-hour film and television awards show was No. 1 during its 8pm to 11pm Sunday night time slot for NBC, which is in last place in ratings among the four major US networks.

NBC said on Monday that early figures indicate the telecast drew 16.9 million US viewers compared to 14.9 million last year.

The Golden Globes, organised by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, also saw a 10-percent ratings increase in the 18- to 49-year-old age group, which is coveted by advertisers because of its spending power.

Gervais, an edgy British comedian best known as co-creator of television's The Office, generated excitement when he was named host of the Golden Globes in October. His off-the-cuff humour was seen as a good fit for the Golden Globes audience.

But he received mixed reviews, with some critics saying his ribald jokes were ill-timed in the aftermath of last week's devastating earthquake in Haiti.

At one point, Gervais joked that inhabitants of the "Third World" feel better when they glimpse a Hollywood star, and that a poor Asian child is prone to think "Mummy!" after seeing a picture of actress Angelina Jolie, who has adopted children from Cambodia, Ethiopia and Vietnam.

In response, the Chicago Sun-Times wrote, "Given the tragedy that befell Haiti this past week, Gervais' joke about Angelina Jolie and Third World children was (a) bad stumble."

http://www.tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5317544

They hated Sacha Baron Cohen, as well. These yanks just don't get British humour.

In addition jog-raphy in the USA must be a joke:

Haiti <------------------ half the world --------------------> Ethiopia <--- a little more world ---> Vietnam, Cambodia

The Los Angeles Times also said some of Gervais' zingers fell flat, but noted that winners urged viewers to donate to Haiti quake victims, and that the show was a success overall.

Where were these winners over the last 30 years when Haiti needed them? Hollywood is a complete joke with the most coverage going to whoever spends the most on any given tragedy. It makes me

ffs New Orleans is still in ruins AND THAT'S YOUR OWN DAMN COUNTRY YOU IGNORANT YANKS! (Of course its no longer front page news, so don't bothering lifting a finger to help).

And here endeth the rant.

 

[Shake&Bake]

Never saw the show, but love Ricky Gervais!

Just been reading an article on Daily Mail as well about this.

Obviously Yanks wouldn't get him, but apprently the audience dug it.

 

[waynegohl]

RICKY...RICKY....the way he introduced Halle Berry was good.

maybe he should have commented on the Dutch sending a plane to Haiti to fetch children for "adoption agencies" in Holland would have gone down better.

i smell child trafficking here.

 

[general_koffi]

Slammed for making "insensitive jokes"?

What is a professional comedian supposed to do, according to these people? Throw pies?

That's a waste of good pie.

 

[waynegohl]

maybe if Steve Carell did it the americans would have laughed.

 

[USZA]

Ricky's Rantings

Here are some of Ricky Gervais most potent barbs:

"I will be making the most of this. I'm not used to these viewing figures - let's face it, nor is NBC. I'm not going to do this again, anyway."

"On a serious note, just looking at all the faces here reminds me of the great work that's been done this year, by cosmetic surgeons. You all look great."

"And I've had a penis reduction. Just got the one now. That's enough. And it is very tiny, but so are my hands, so when I'm holding it, it looks pretty big. And let's face, I usually am holding it. I wish I was doing that now instead of this, to be honest."

"It is an honour to be here in a room full of what I consider to be the most important people on the planet. Actors, they're just better than ordinary people, aren't they?"

[on masturbation] "I wish I was doing that now instead of this, to be honest."

"OK, let's get on with this before NBC replaces me with Jay Leno."

"I was on the same plane as Paul McCartney to LA. I was up front in first class and he was back in economy. He's saving money, you know. That’s because he spent an awful amount of money last year."
[referring to McCartney’s expensive divorce from Heather Mills]

"Actors aren’t just loved here in Hollywood, they’re loved the world over, because they’re recognisable," he said. "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!'"

[pointing at his half-full glass of Fosters, from which he sipped throughout the ceremony]
"Look, I love a drink as much as the next man. Unless the next man is… Mel Gibson!"
[enter Mel Gibson to present the next award]

"One thing that can't be bought is a Golden Globe... Officially."

"The serious bit now. The Golden Globes is shown all over the world. It is oblivious to colour or creed. It doesn't just celebrate talent, it celebrates difference. It crushes prejudice and stereotype. One stereotype I hate is that all Irishmen are just drunk, sweary hell-raisers. Please welcome Colin Farrell."

"Rachel from Friends and that bloke from 300," was how he introduced The Bounty Hunter co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler to the stage. Neither looked very impressed.

I just happened to watch this last night; he was hilarious. This was one Golden Globe Award Show that was worth watching.

 

[Mila]

I saw that and thought it was funny!!!

I thought he also meant that even in a third world everybody wants to be a star.

And it was a stab at the people that are adopting these childern..

People are soooo sensitive.. Stupid.

 

[waynegohl]

Ricky Gervais RULES!!

 

[Alan]

I found the usual Hollywood self righteous hypocrisy far more offensive than Ricky Gervais. He was quality or at least in the beginning before I had to change the channel so as not to vomit all over myself with all that back slapping going on.

Not surprised many took offence since your Golden Globe watching crowd is generally politically correct liberal morons.