Ricky Gervais Brings Sharp Tongue For Globes Return

First Published: January 15, 2012 10:54 PM EST Credit: Getty Images, NBC Caption icky Gervais onstage during the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton International Ballroom on January 15, 2012 in Beverly HillsNY, N.Y. -- Three times the charm if thats not the wrong word for Ricky Gervais third year as scathing steward of the Golden Globes. Or maybe the word is f-word which Gervais blurted out, and which was bleeped, as he introduced presenters Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek late in the show Sunday night. Theyre ridiculously gorgeous specimens, theyre extremely talented and probably very interesting, Gervais declared. Im not sure, he went on, as censors instantly bleeped out the rest of his wisecrack, which declared, I couldnt understand a (expletive) word they said. Later, when he came back on stage with wine glass in hand, he said it was great having a job that allowed you to get drunk and say whatever you wished and still get paid. Gervais monologue didnt shock quite the way it did last year, but it had its share of barbs. Nervous? Dont be, he grinned at the room-full of glitterati at the top of the show, aired by NBC on Sunday. Tonight you get Britains biggest comedian, hosting the worlds second-biggest awards show on Americas third-biggest network. He corrected himself: Its 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 years shindig, when Gervais insulted nearly everyone in sight, an invitation back for the British wag seemed doubtful. But the Globes loves to court outrageous behavior. That meant another turn for Gervais as host. He explained he had been warned by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that were he to insult anyone on hand, or offend any viewers, or cause any controversy whatsoever theyll definitely invite me back next year as well. Then Gervais went on to praise a nominated HBO series, Boardwalk Empire. I love that show, he said. Its about a load of immigrants who came to America about a hundred years ago, and they got involved in bribery and corruption and worked their way up into high society. But enough about the Hollywood Foreign Press. As the evening progressed, only Madonna dared to challenge Gervais. Introducing her as an awards presenter, he described Madonna as just like a virgin, then erupted with a theatrical cough. Madonna fired back, If Im still just like a virgin, Ricky, then why dont you come over here and do something about it? She paused. I havent kissed a girl in a few years on TV. A camera caught Gervais comedically dashing off stage. Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.