British comedian Gervais to host Golden Globes

Ricky Gervais couldn't stop laughing. The self-effacing British comedian was announced on Monday as the host of the 67th annual Golden Globes and couldn't help cracking himself up trying to articulate why.

"I don't know! Maybe I'm cheap? They're saving on presenters now because they all need goody bags," he said with a giggle. "No, no, someone must have said, ‘Is there like a fat schmuck from Britain who doesn't know our ways and would think this is a real honour? Who'd do it for a giant pizza?' My agent overheard them..."

But seriously, Hollywood has long counted on Gervais, best known for having co-created and starred in the UK edition of The Office, to perk up awards season.

Off-the-cuff style

Gervais said he's been offered hosting gigs before but felt the Globes were best suited to his off-the-cuff style.

"They sit at tables, people are drinking. It's film stars and TV stars mixing together, and that usually doesn't work," he said. "TV people are usually kept in an electrified pen. They can see Brad and Angelina but they're not allowed to look them in the eye. But at the Globes, Brad? He walks amongst TV people and says, ‘Hi, how are you doing?'"

High on Gervais' agenda is making sure the January 17 show upholds its rep as the boozy, laid-back sister to the Oscars.

"I think people should be less worried about it being a TV event and more about celebrating the industry," he said by phone from the UK. "I'm going to give them a roasting. They're there — including me — for people's entertainment. I don't think we should take ourselves too seriously. It's got to be a party for the industry, and I think people will want to watch that."

Gervais will be the first person to host the ceremony since 1995, when John Larroquette and Janine Turner tag-teamed the event.

Gervais has a soft spot for the Globes, which honoured him twice for The Office in 2004.

"Absolutely," he said. "That's where it all sort of happened for me in America."

He was mostly unknown then, he said. "Apparently — and this is my favourite story, I so want it to be true — when we went up to get the award someone overheard Clint Eastwood growl, ‘Who the [heck] are they?'"

But seriously, Gervais added, "I'm really looking forward to it."