How did Ricky Gervais get recruited to host the Golden Globes?

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To hear Ricky Gervais tell it, his deal to host the Golden Globes went down something like this:

‘I don’t know! Maybe I’m cheap? They’ve saved on about 30 other presenters because they have to get them a goody bag each. And those run $30,000 each. And they have to pay taxes on it. So the producers probably said, ‘Nah ... that. We’re not doing that.’’

‘Then someone went, ‘Is there a fat schmuck from Britain who doesn’t know our ways and would think this is a real honor? Who’d do it just for a giant pizza?’ My agent overheard them and went, ‘What were you saying about a big pizza for a fat English bloke?’’

‘And they went, ‘No, it’s just that we haven’t got any presenters. Why? Do you know someone?’ Then my agent went, ‘Well, what sort of pizza is it?’ And they said, ‘It’s got pep—’ And he goes ‘Yeah, yeah, let me sort it out...’’

‘He’s already had his slice too. He took his 10 percent.’

Read more about Gervais’ plans to roast and toast the Golden Globes here.

-- Denise Martin