In this image released by NBC, host Ricky Gervais speaks during the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 in Los Angeles.NEW YORK (AP) – Three time’s the charm – if that’s not the wrong word for Ricky Gervais’ third year as scathing steward of the Golden Globes.
His monologue didn’t shock quite the way it did last year, but it had its share of barbs.
“Nervous? Don’t be,” he grinned at the room-full of glitterati at the top of the show, aired by NBC on Sunday. “Tonight you get Britain’s biggest comedian, hosting the world’s second-biggest awards show on America’s third-biggest network.” He corrected himself: “It’s fourth.”
“The Golden Globes are to the Oscars,” he went on, “what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton – a bit louder, a bit trashier, a bit drunker and more easily bought – allegedly.”
After last year’s shindig, when Gervais insulted nearly everyone in sight, an invitation back for the British wag seemed doubtful.