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Ricky Gervais gets 2009 Oscar buzz -- as potential host

Sep 24, 2008, 10:51 AM | by Lynette Rice

Categories: Movie Biz, TV Biz

Rickygervais_lRicky Gervais' memorable appearance on the Sept. 21 Emmys tipped off Hollywood to its next possible Oscar host. Shortly after Gervais jokingly scolded Steve Carell for stealing the Emmy he won last year for Extras, his reps were besieged with inquiries about his availability and were urged to book a meeting with Academy Awards organizers, stat. "The buzz around town is that Ricky should host the Oscars," says one source close to the star. He's already racking up the movie credits, including the requisite bomb that could become a punchline during the ceremony (Ghost Town earned a disappointing $5 million last weekend) and an intriguing upcoming project. He co-directed and co-wrote This Side of the Truth, a 2009 romantic comedy in which he stars with Jennifer Garner and Tina Fey. Gervais will also appear in his own comedy special for HBO this November.

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Video: EW's Dave Karger talks to Ricky Gervais about The Office, Extras, and Ghost Town 
Lisa Schwarzbaum's review of Ghost Town
Ricky Gervais blogs the production of his new movie
EW's 2008 Emmys coverage
EW's 2009 Oscars coverage


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Billy Crystal has been far and away the best Oscar host. He knows when he's funny. There is nothing WORSE than somebody trying to be funny when there not -- Whoopi !!

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Evelyn Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 10:45 PM EST

Ricky Gervais hosting the Oscars would be epic! He is probably my favourite comedian of all time.

Sherry Z Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 02:53 AM EST

I love Gervais but I love Jon Stewart more. Stewart had proven he is a great choice as host for two years and he presents himself better. Let's have Jon Stewart every year till he decides to quit.

Cait Mon, Nov 3, 2008 at 10:43 PM EST

Join my new facebook group, "1,000,000 Strong for Stephen T Colbert to host the Oscars!" Spread the word, Thanks!

todd Sun, Nov 2, 2008 at 12:19 PM EST

Bring back Billy.
Nobody else comes evena little bit close.
Ellen is too goofy.
John Stewart is boring.
Chris Rock is a jerk.

Dotty Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 08:13 AM EST

Please please bring back Billy Crystal, he is the best host ever.

tom Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 12:14 PM EST

I still think Ellen is the funniest.

tom Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 12:13 PM EST

I still think Ellen is the funniest.

brent hogwell Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 03:12 AM EST

do the dance

Gina Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 04:18 PM EST

Ricky Gervais is hilarious. I would love to see him host.

Movie_Dearest Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 07:37 AM EST

Oh please, a five minute bit (that seemed twice as long) on the Emmys does NOT mean that he could host the Oscars. This is about as ridiculous as that inane rumor from a few weeks back about Justin Timberlake.

Bring back Ellen!

Erin Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 12:45 AM EST

PLEASE, and thank you!!

duh Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 08:09 PM EST

Ricky Gervais should totally host the oscars.. he's an amazing performer.. I loved him in Batman Begins and Fast and the Furious.. such a great actor...

Vicki Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 07:16 PM EST

Andrew, what do you mean "every hosting job"? There was Russel Brand for the VMAs... Were there others?

Colleen Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 06:20 PM EST

I love the idea, but I feel like Jon Stewart should do it again...he does a fine job, and I feel like it would be nice for the Oscars to have the kind of consistency it once had. The more he does it, the more comfortable he would feel, and the better it would be. Stop changing things that aren't broke!

Deb Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 06:02 PM EST

Cherilyn, Zane is a New Zealander, but he's been living in the UK for a long time, and doing really well. I agree with you - there's no need to discriminate based on country of origin (really, I'm surprised at some of the complaints here...what's wrong with Brits?). If you're good, you're good - and Ricky Gervais is *great*

jen Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 05:14 PM EST

Ricky and Steve Carell together would make more sense

Andrea Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 04:52 PM EST

Ricky would be awesome! He was the only part of the Emmy's that was worth watching. I would love for him to host the Oscars!!!

Cherilyn Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 04:16 PM EST


I think Ricky would be perfect to host. We could all use a laugh right now. He's hilarious. And there is nothing wrong with Englishmen, it depends on which ones you're talking about.

Jools Holland and Jonathan Ross are both awesome TV hosts. I'm not sure where Zane Lowe is from originally but I give them all credit anyway

Elem Bee Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 04:04 PM EST

Ghost Town is a good movie and much of the credit should go to its unlikely leading man. I am now a huger(yep, I said huger) Ricky Gervais fan than ever!!

Andrew Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 03:44 PM EST

Can someone tell me why every hosting job these days goes to an Englishman? Is this globalization gone mad?! Are the networks purposefully shoving these guys down our throats or what?BTW, I don't have anything against this guy.

Shannon Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 03:39 PM EST

This must happen! I love him! Let's hope he has good material though.

Ricky Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 03:10 PM EST

Yes! He was the best part of the show and he was ROBBED!

Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 02:50 PM EST

no! His kind of jokes are great for a few minutes, but not 3 hours. I mean Extras was funny at first, but after a while it was just depressing!

Terri Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 02:26 PM EST

I'd like Eddie Izzard to do it.

Nee Nee Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 01:51 PM EST

Great idea! Even better if he's allowed to go off-teleprompter! Let's leave the politics out of it for a change; how about just get somebody who is funny up there. It's exhausting to hear all of the "witty" politically-related jokes coming out of Hollywood. I like Ricky's brand of humor.

Koiloki Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 01:36 PM EST

Please NO! I'd so rather watch Stewart or Colbert. Half the appeal of watching the Academy Awards comes from the sharp political jokes...something Gervais couldn't handle well.

Winona Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 01:31 PM EST

Oh heavens, I hope so!!!

RayT Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 01:03 PM EST

If I were him, I'd say hell no! Hollywood and the mainstream media constantly delude themselves into thinking they're progressive enough to pick an extremely talented but lesser known cult comic to host and then spend the weeks after the show tearing them down because most people (meaning people whose idea of comedy is "According to Jim") didn't understand their humor. See Chris Rock, David Letterman, John Stewart, Russell Brand, etc. etc.

dma69 Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 12:42 PM EST

Please please please please with sugar on top!!

Yes...and no... Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 12:36 PM EST

I love Ricky. But the thing is, I've seen him do standup several times over the last couple of years and he ALWAYS repeats the same material which he originally started on his radio show anyway. I know it's customary for comics to use the same shticks, but not this much. I've heard his story about peeing in a sink on the radio TWICE, on talk shows, and in his standup routine. I just don't know how original he can be. Merchant on the other hand, on his own BBC radio show, is always new and fresh and I THINK the brains behind that operation. So if he is writing the stuff, then I am down.

Liddy Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 12:06 PM EST

Yes! That's the best idea I've heard in a long time. Clear your schedule Ricky!

Nose Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 12:02 PM EST

If he does, I hope they let him write his own stuff and improv...don't cripple him with the usual boring award show tripe. Man, if it was Ricky and Steven Merchant, I could die happy!

donner Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 12:01 PM EST

I'd watch...especially if they let him go off notes and say whatever he wanted to...brilliant!

Delon Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 11:32 AM EST

Good choice!

Zet Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 11:26 AM EST

Despite my ambivalence about the Brits slowly taking over pop culture (some days I love it, some days wish for a real american accent on network TV), Gervais is a great pick. It could be tricky. Much as I love him, the other half doesn't see what the hoo-ha is about. Much of the time he doesn't even understand what Gervais is saying. (He has a master's degree, so he's not completely slow. Some people don't have an ear for accents.)

Snsetblaze Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 11:22 AM EST

How about him and Tina Fey as cohosts?

Nathan Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 11:15 AM EST

Great choice, this would be good.

Rahul Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 11:00 AM EST

This is awesome. I hope it happens.

KMG33 Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 11:00 AM EST

FANTASTIC idea! This man was the only funny thing about the Emmys on Sunday. (Him and Tina Fey, anyway)

Robert Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 10:51 AM EST

Can he host every major awards ceremony? Please?

alek Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 10:24 AM EST

Brilliant. He was the only entertaining part of the Emmys. By far.

Mia Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 10:22 AM EST

PLEASE!!!!
Pretty please with sugar on top get Ricky Gervais to host the Emmys or Oscars or a paint drying contest.
ANYTHING! That man is funny.


If not, Jon Stewart, Steve Carell, Steven Colbert or Neil Patrick Harris would do a fine job hosting the Emmys.

Teresa Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 10:12 AM EST

he is great!!... I don“t need to add anymore.


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