Golden Globes: Seth Rogen is ready for Ricky Gervais

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“50/50,” Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s buddy cancer comedy, has a 93% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes but did only a modest $34 million at the box office this fall. Now, though, Rogen and Gordon-Levitt are getting some awards recognition -- the film landed two Golden Globe nominations Thursday. Gordon-Levitt was nominated for best actor in a musical or comedy, while the film itself (which Rogen produced as well as co-stars in), got a nod in the best picture (musical or comedy) category.

Rogen says he’s looking forward to the show and is braced for any jokes Ricky Gervais may throw his way. Here’s what he had to say about it all Thursday morning:

On how he heard the news:

I was phoned by my publicist on my home phone, which woke me up, because no one ever calls that. For a split second I thought someone I know might be dead, and then I remembered that today was the Golden Globe nominations and that maybe I was getting called for that.

His initial reaction:

I was very happy, it’s awesome. After never getting nominated for anything, it’s much nicer to get nominated for stuff. And honestly, I think it will help more people be aware of the movie, which to me is one of the most important things. I think that Will [Reiser] did a pretty amazing thing by even writing this movie, so it’s really nice that people seem to like it.

I was very pleased with and proud of the movie before this happened, but it’s obviously really nice when anyone recognizes what you’ve done. Believe me, I’ve done stuff that people hate, so whenever that doesn’t happen, I’m … psyched.

Thoughts on Ricky Gervais and the ceremony:

I think Ricky Gervais is funny. I’m not actually nominated [for a performance], so maybe I won’t get insulted horribly. But if he chooses to do it, then I’m game for that.

I only went to the Golden Globes once, a few years ago. It’s pretty fun. I remember being shocked at how few people actually seem to be paying attention to the show. You can watch it a lot easier on TV. But I did get drunk with Laurence Fishburne, so that was fun.

What he’s working on now:

Nothing that is officially tellable at this moment in time. As of now, I am actually technically unemployed.

RELATED:

Golden Globes: The complete list of nominees

Golden Globes: Cable shows dominate TV nominations

More coverage of the Golden Globes and SAG nominations

-- Oliver Gettell