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Gervais The inspired selection of Ough Gervais to host this years Golden Globes soured this past year, once the multifaceted star's "courageous insult comic" persona motivated him to visit beyond his debut in irreverence, departing award-show decorum within an uncomfortable shambles. Inviting him back thus introduced a whiff of anticipation in to the ceremony ("Who'll he party next?") that almost surpassed the nominees heading into Sunday's telecast. Still, the late great Gil Cates spoke from the unpredictable "award-show gods," with Gervais largely an absentee the majority of the evening, they did not smile on Sunday's lifeless telecast."Boy, he's fun," stated The Actor-brad Pitt after Gervais' six-minute opening monologue, as well as in an extensive sense, it's difficult to argue. It is simply in hindsight the telecast peaked together with his open, and was practically all downhill after that.With individuals anticipating another celebrity flaying, Gervais reserved his toughest barbs for NBC and also the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., showing his iconoclastic streak by (frequently) biting hands feeding him."So, where was I?" he started, before likening the HFPA towards the corrupt immigrants in "Boardwalk Empire" and quipping the Globes will be to the Academy awards "what Kim Kardashian would be to Kate Middleton," which really sounds about right. When it comes to naughtiness, Gervais danced as much as the road with jokes about Attacking Young Boys and also the Jodie Promote-directed "The Beaver," but otherwise -- aside from a later expletive -- there is little to create the area or censors blanch.Depp's appearance right in advance strengthened the "it's all regulated in fun" attitude, given Gervais' injections at him over "The Tourist" this past year. (Obviously, which gave Gervais an opportunity to plug his approaching Cinemax series "Life's Way Too Short,Inch by which Depp constitutes a twisted appearance as themself.)Even when the injections smarted -- the HFPA is not exactly noted for its spontaneity regarding questions regarding the group's authenticity -- getting Gervais back would be a basically clever misdirection considering the minimal period of time he really made an appearance inside the three-hour telecast. Ultimately, getting Gervais host felt just like a bait-and-switch tactic.On the other hand, the Globes are usually deft professionals of shaping a telecast -- rapidly racing through TV honours to splash as numerous celebrities on the watch's screen as you possibly can.Past Gervais, the show was virtually lifeless, indicated by plenty of acceptance speeches that droned on with no hint of spontaneity or miracle. When Kate Winslet, Meryl Streep and Madonna all get stop by music, you realize you are set for a tough evening.Nor made it happen help the voters unintentionally appeared going to choose as numerous little-seen those who win as you possibly can.Whilst the Globes have typically cultivated unpredictability, there is an insufficiency of this too. OK, Streep didn't remember her glasses and there is an exhibition mixup with Take advantage of Lowe and Julianne Moore mostly, little strengthened the customary "expect wackiness" vibe.Seth Rogen bucked the popularity, referencing glamorous co-presenter Kate Beckinsdale by saying he was "presently attempting to hide an enormous erection," and George Clooney went beneath the belt in adoring "Shame" star Michael Fassbender's, er, performance.Next, the pickings were awfully slim: Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy's little showing duet. "Modern Family's" bilingual acceptance. Madonna awkwardly attempting to zing Gervais.Even director Louis J. Horvitz, an experienced from the award-show wars, battled to locate reaction shots from anyone who appeared as if these were getting fun, except throughout the nice and cozy tribute to Morgan Freeman.For the arrivals program, Carson Daly demonstrated less giddy than his co-hosts, however the only fireworks originated from Elton John, who needed to be bleeped for saying fellow song nominee Madonna "has not got a f--kin' chance." Given Gervais' slip and also the FCC fine levied over Bono utilizing the same term in 2003, the network may want to time-delay Men and women later on telecasts.Incidentally, Madonna -- who pretentiously stated her song "like magic arrived on the scene of me" -- later won, making John's premature exclamation one of several misfires inside a shateringly lengthy evening.Related: 'The Artist' and Weinstein Co. dominate Globes 69th Golden Globes: Complete listing of those who win TV newcomers dominate Globes Spencer takes note of ladies who inspired 'The Help' Large Globes footprint for TWC Contact John Lowry at john.lowry@variety.com