I've been reading all the crap that the media has been vomiting all over the web-o-sphere about wether or not Ricky Gervais crossed the line with his hosting of the Golden Globes. I watched his monolog and a couple of his introductions to get me up to speed. The only thing he did that I can tell is expose how incredibly inane and retarded anyone is who works for the media. Seriously? Cross the line? A joke about Hugh Heffner being old and marrying a young girl is over the line?
I love Ricky Gervais. I think he's an incredibly smart, shrewd and funny man. He's help create some of the best comedy ANYWHERE for the past 10 years. He makes me laugh, he makes himself laugh more I think, but in the process he makes me laugh. I don't know if anyone out there knows this, and I might be about to blow your mind inside out, but... comedy... is... subjective.
WAHHHHHHHHH?!?
You mean to tell us Nick, that each person has a different sense of humor. That every individual was raised in their own bubble, having different values and experiences that shaped them into a wholly original being? WOW! You just broke new ground in human understanding.
You're welcome.
Here is my take on his jokes. I thought they were just OK. Nothing spectacular. Definitely not crossing any lines. If anything they were basic A to B jokes. A. So and so is fat. B. so and so has to get building permit to put on make up.
I watch a lot of comedy. A LOT. More than the average person. I have to, I write and perform comedy. I've learned my craft from all the brave insecure soles that came before me. Ricky Gervais's monolog was just a simple night show monolog. He did nothing new or push any boundaries, he just made simple jokes up about people that everyone knows. It's not an insult if EVERYONE in the audience thinks the same thing.
Let me break it down:
Hugh Heffner is old and marries young woman. CHECK
Charlie Sheen has a substance abuse problem. CHECK
Robert Downy Jr. HAD a substance abuse problem. CHECK
Bruce Willis' ex-wife is married to a guy as old as his daughters. CHECK
The Tourist was a bad movie. CHECK
Nothing he talked about was new or shocking to anyone. He said things that Conan, Letterman and Kimmell say EVERY night of the week.
To summarize,
1. Did he cross the line, no,
2. Were his jokes main streamy, yes.
3. Was he entertaining, definitely.
4. Should he do it again? If he causes as much of a stink, HELL YES!
I would love to hear what you think in my comments section, but no one reads my blog so I won't hold my breath.
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3 comments:
I saw some of it. I have to say I was uncomfortable, in a good way. Its always weird when someone does something that make these award shows anything but bubble gum. The whole thing was pretty built up by the time I saw it. It was a bit like a roast at some points and I don't think thats what those in the audience signed up for, or at least, thought it would become on that level. It is subjective, but that atmosphere has a level of expectation different from a Letterman show cause they aren't sitting right there to face the music. So, slightly over the line for the norm I would say. Not me...But I will close as saying I dug it and when you are in that world there is a certain amount of fair game to. The media needs stuff and when its blown up it can kill time, so there it is. I like me some Gervais!
I see your point good sir, but let me counter it with this, why hire a comedian that is known for going to far to host your event, then act shocked when they go to far? That seems a tad irresponsible on their part to me.
You know what, I gotta thank you for taking the time to review what he did and break it down. I have to admit over the years i've become jaded. I refuse to watch awards ceremonies. Not even say just a matter of the MTV Video Music Awards. That's right... I'm SO OLD, I still call them that because that's what they were called when I gave a fuck. First thing I saw was, "Raunchy performance" in regards to Gervais. Next thing I see is "Black Listed". So.. I actually stop and start to wonder,did he possibly say something funny? Not a dig at him just that awards are bland & naturally void of anything I associate with humor. I'll freely admit, I used to like Gervais. Friend of mine admitted to me she listens to his podcast and the first thing that ran through my brain was *snore*. I like the British Office, I think the US version turned out to be an even better show. Mind you this is coming from a total Anglophile. However, his show Extras that was on HBO was a flaming pile. It did something that so many shows do these days which is rely on the fact that they have "famous people" who appear to generate the humor. It doesn't work. (looking at you Tim and Eric) Extras was a way less funny British version of Curb your Enthusiasm. I guess my point if I even have one is that at one point I liked Gervais. I don't in any way consider him controversial, not even close. The jokes you mentioned would bore the hell outta most people simply because they aren't related to Lady Gaga or anything close to what most people care about(age not an issue because I see so many people even older than me that feel the need to get into "Whatever's Hip"). I think all the controversy is simply due to the fact that this was the GG's and not say... the VMA's or some other younger geared audience. Who gives a fuck about jokes about Huge Hefner being old, he's been old for 30 years now. One of the saddest things i've ever seen was him trying to dance with 3 blondes after Viagra first came on the market and then being lucky enough to hear this fossil tell me about his groin issues. So, good for Ricky. I'm glad he shocked people, though I have no idea why.
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