Ricky Gervais took swipes at Caitlyn Jenner, Mel Gibson and Ben Affleck as he returned to host the Golden Globe Awards for the fourth time.
Ricky Gervais
The 54-year-old comedian took charge of proceedings at the awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Sunday (10.01.16) and proved that no one was safe from him yet again.
During his opening monologue, Ricky singled out transgender reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner - previously known as Bruce - who was involved in a fatal car accident in Malibu in which one person died.
He said: "I've changed. Not as much as Bruce Jenner, obviously. Now Caitlyn Jenner, of course. What a year she's had. She became a role model for trans people everywhere, showing great bravery in breaking down barriers and destroying stereotypes. She didn't do a lot for women drivers, but you can't have everything, can ya?"
When Mel Gibson tried to poke fun at Ricky by saying: "I love seeing Ricky every three years because it reminds me to get a colonoscopy," the host countered by asking: "What the f**k does sugar t**s even mean?", referencing the insult Gibson hurled at a female police officer during his arrest for drunken driving in 2006.
He later added: "I'm in the awkward position of having to introduce him again. Listen, I'm sure it's embarrassing for both of us. I blame NBC for this terrible situation. Mel blames ... we know who Mel blames."
While introducing Matt Damon, Ricky referred to him as "the only person who Ben Affleck hasn't been unfaithful to," leaving Matt to shake his head uncomfortably.
US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump came under attack as Ricky introduced presenters Eva Longoria and America Ferrera as "two people your future president Donald Trump can't wait to have deported".
Jennifer Lawrence's essay on the pay gap in Hollywood was another target with Ricky noting the support for it and adding that people wondered "how a 25 year old can live on $52 million".
Even the network NBC and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which organises the Globes, did not escape his wrath.
He quipped: "It's only right that NBC hosts this awards show. They're the only network that's truly fair and impartial, and that's because they're the only network with zero nominations. So ... nothing in it for 'em tonight. They don't care, obviously."
And regarding the HFPA, he added: "One publication said me hosting would mean some film stars would stay away for fear of being made fun of. As if film stars would stay away from a chance of getting a Golden Globe - particularly if their film company has already paid for it."
Referencing the Globes ceremony, he added, it is "a bit of metal that some nice, old, confused journalists want to give you to meet you and take a selfie with you".
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