Ricky Gervais Fired on the Job? [UPDATE]

Update: 12:22AM: HFPA released statement: “We loved the show. It was a lot of fun and obviously has a lot of people talking. When you hire a comedian like Ricky Gervais, one expects in your face, sometimes outrageous material. Certainly, in this case, he pushed the envelope and occasionally went too far. The HFPA would never condone some of his personal remarks. Overall, however, the show was among the best we’ve ever had and we were pleased.”

Gervais released statement: “I did every single introduction I was meant to. There just happened to be a long gap. This is because I was allowed to choose who I would introduce in advance. I obviously chose presenters who I had the best jokes for. (And who I knew had a good sense of humour). Everyone took it well and the atmosphere backstage and at the after show was great.”

The morning after one of Hollywood’s biggest nights, fans are not only focused on the big winners of the night but on what happened with Ricky Gervais. (You can find out all about the night’s winners HERE and the fashion hits and misses HERE.) What happened, you may ask? Well, judging by the equal amounts of jaw drops, laughs and groans, many wonder if Gervais went too far with his jokes last night. After poking fun at about everyone within ear shot, Gervais disappeared from the NBC telecast for about an hour causing rumors to swirl regarding his job status. Word on the street was that Gervais was fired by NBC mid-telecast, however, he did eventually return to the stage only to read intros from cards or the prompter. While there is no official confirmation either way, its unlikely NBC canned Gervais during last night’s show. Gervais made it public beforehand that he would either be so crass so as never to be invited back again or do such a great job that he wouldn’t want to do it again. Needless to say, he will likely not be invited back.

Some of the biggest (and most controversial) lines from Gervais last night include:

– “Welcome to a night of partying and heavy drinking. Or as Charlie Sheen calls it: breakfast.”

– “I’d like to quash this ridiculous rumor going around that the only reason The Tourist was nominated was so the HFPA could hang out with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. That is rubbish. That is not the only reason. They also accepted bribes.”

– “Nothing for Sex and the City 2. I was sure the award for best special effects would go to the team that airbrushed that poster.”

– Introducing Bruce Willis as “Ashton Kutcher’s dad.”

– “Also not nominated, I Love You Phillip Morris, with Ewan McGregor and Jim Carrey, two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay — the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists then.” Gervais added: “My lawyers helped me with the wording of that joke.”

So what do you think? Does Gervais deserve not to be invited back again? Did he go to far? What did you think about last night’s show? Let us know below and join our FORUM discussion!