After his scathing hosting job of the Golden Globes in 2011, many predicted that Ricky Gervais would never be asked to fill that job again. "Totally unacceptable" is how the previous head of the Hollywood Foreign Press described Gervais' performance.
Gervais, in all his impish glory, skewered Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson, Bruce Willis and the Hollywood Foreign Press itself, which made for great TV and left lots of bruised egos in the room.
All that, however, is now water under the proverbial award's show bridge.
This human blowtorch of barbs and insults returns on Sunday, Jan. 15 to host -- and roast -- more Hollywood A-listers at the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards, televised live on CTV.
Gervais, reportedly, agreed to return because he knew it would shock Hollywood and annoy more people.
Whatever his reasons or those of the producers inviting Gervais back, the move is a shrewd one according to Pete Hammond, an entertainment critic for Deadline Hollywood in Los Angeles.
"Do you remember who won last year's Golden Globe Awards? Probably not. But you remember Ricky Gervais. That's why he's back," Hammond said on Friday on Canada AM.
"He makes the show totally watchable," said Hammond. "You never know what he's going to say or what's going to happen."
In 2010, the Golden Globes pulled in 17 million viewers with Gervais hosting the show. The number jumped by five per cent when the plucky star returned as host in 2011.
Whether Gervais can help the Golden Globes top those figures remains to be seen. But that curiosity around what he'll say -- and about whom – should entice fans and critics to tune in. That and the presence of some of Hollywood's most gorgeous male actors.
"It's the People's Sexiest Men Alive show this year," said Hammond.
This year's Best Actor race in the dramatic film category will include such handsome entries as George Clooney ("The Descendants"), Brad Pitt ("Moneyball"), Ryan Gosling ("The Ides of March"), Leonardo DiCaprio ("J. Edgar") and Michael Fassbender ("Shame").
"You've got all of them in the same category. It's like eye candy for women this year and they can act, too. Big shock," said Hammond.
"But I think it's going to be George Clooney for ‘The Descendants'," Hammond predicted.
Hammond also made this prediction: the battle for Best Actress should become a "knock-down, drag-out fight" between Viola Davis ("The Help") and Meryl Streep ("The Iron Lady").
Earlier this week, Davis nabbed the Best Actress award at the 2012 Critics' Choice Awards.
Hammond was in the room as Davis' name was read out to the crowd.
"She was actually sitting with Meryl Streep," said Hammond.
Streep was the first one to get up and congratulate Davis, Hammond reported.
"They love each other. It's a very friendly rivalry, if you want to call it that," he said.
Finally, the battle for Best Picture in the dramatic category should turn into a three-way race between "Hugo," "The Descendants" and "The Help."
"The Artist," the silent, black-and-white film from director Michel Hazanavicius, should also go on to win Best Picture in the comedy category.
Set in 1920 Hollywood, the film follows the fortunes of one dashing Hollywood mega-star and an up-and-coming ingénue.
The underdog film has earned six Globe nominations, including Best Actor for star Jean Dujardin and Best Screenplay.
"This film has been winning all sorts of awards," said Hammond.
"Not many people have seen it yet. But it's taken Hollywood by storm."
The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards airs on Sunday, Jan. 15 on CTV at 8 pm. Check CTV.ca for local listings.
