Ricky Gervais teases at Globes

The British comedian caused shock with his jokes at last year’s ceremony, but had insisted he was going to go even further this time round. He stayed true to his word, taking jibes at several big name stars as soon as he took to the stage.

“It's going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking,” he said in his monologue. “Or, as Charlie Sheen calls it, breakfast.”

He went on to discuss Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp’s big budget movie The Tourist. The film under-performed at box offices, something which hadn’t been lost on the comedian.

“I haven't even seen The Tourist. Who has?” he laughed.

Ricky then took a pop at Scientology, the religion favoured by many stars in Hollywood. It seems his utterance was a step too far for some of the audience, who greeted it with a shocked intake of breath.

“I Love You Phillip Morris stars Jim Carey and Ewan McGregor, two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. So, the complete opposite of some famous scientologists… Probably,” he said. “My lawyers helped me with the wording of that joke.”
While some of the awards’ guests were unsure about Ricky’s humour, others found him hilarious. Alec Baldwin was spotted wiping tears from his eyes throughout the ceremony, while Robert De Niro also laughed all the way through.

Other wisecracks included asking if anyone had been to see Cher performing recently, before uttering: “No. Why not? Because it's not 1975.”

The 49-year-old teased Jennifer Lopez for her insistence she is still the same as ever, making a joke about her ‘Jenny from the block’ moniker. “She's just Jenny from the block. If the block in question is that one on Rodeo Drive between Cartier and Prada,” he quipped.
Robert Downey Jr. also got a rough ride, with Ricky teasing him about his past as he took to the stage. Robert has had a high-profile battle with drugs, which Ricky thought was perfect fodder for his jokes. The actor took it in good spirits though, firing back his own funny comment.

“He's the star of Iron Man, Two Girls and a Guy, Wonder Boys. Sorry, are these porn films? Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Bowfinger. Really! Up the Academy,” Ricky said. “He has done all those films, but many of you in this room probably know [Robert Downey Jr.] from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail.”

Robert retorted: “Aside from the fact that it's been hugely mean-spirited, with mildly sinister undertones, I'd say the vibe of the show is pretty good so far, wouldn't you?”

The ceremony was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.