What Golden Globe nominees expect (or fear) from Ricky Gervais
He’s brash and irreverent, and by no means a polite Hollywood insider. So, the fact that Ricky Gervais will be hosting the Golden Globes this year has been met with squeals of delight from fans eager to see the comedian cut loose. But for the nominees, that anticipation is perhaps tempered by just a touch of fear. Who can blame them? After all, Gervais gave them fair warning when The Envelope spoke to him after his gig as host was announced. “I’m going to take the opportunity to roast every actor in the room that’s more successful and better looking than me,” he promised.
So, are the nominees starting to sweat? We asked a few of them what Gervais might go after them for.
Helen Mirren
“He’ll be unbelievably rude about me. I’m sure he’ll say something rude. He’s a friend. I know him, and I like him a lot.”
Anna Kendrick
“I can take it. I’m a big fan of ‘The Office,’ so I know he’s an awkward weirdo. He’s a bit unpredictable, isn’t he?”
Tobey Maguire
“I find him hilarious. I have no idea what he’d say to me from the stage. I went to see him do stand-up in L.A. a year ago. I’ve seen him do that type of thing.”
Jeff Bridges
“I have no idea who that guy is. I guess I’m just going to let ‘er rip.”
Carey Mulligan
“He’s awesome. If he mentions my name, I’ll be completely star-struck. I sort of awkwardly introduced myself to him four years ago after I did this TV show ‘Bleak House,’ and I looked like a star-struck fan. I was a bumbling mess, and I couldn’t even articulate, so I sort of grinned and shook his hand and said the word ‘Office’ and then went and got drunk.”
Emily Blunt
“It’s going to be so edgy. He’s going to push the boundaries of all shades of wrong.”
Morgan Freeman
“I don’t think he’s going to bother me.”
Lea Michele
“I think he’s hilarious. I mean he’s so funny. It’s going to be such a fun night, but hopefully he doesn’t tease me about anything!”
Lee Daniels
“Lee Daniels, the guy with the big mouth.”
Neil Patrick Harris
“He’d probably tease me about my hosting duties on other award shows. . . . He’s absolutely hilarious. I can’t wait to see what he’s going to bring. It’s a strange and hilarious audience because half the time they’re not even paying attention . . .. Half the time they’re just drinking wine and talking to each other.”