Ricky Gervais’s Unforgettable 2020 Golden Globes Host Performance: A Deep Dive into His ‘Cats’ Diss and Shocking Jokes
On January 5, 2020, the entertainment world braced itself for what had become an eagerly anticipated annual tradition of acerbic wit and unapologetic humor: Ricky Gervais hosting the Golden Globe Awards. Marking his fifth time at the helm of this prestigious event, Gervais arrived with a formidable reputation for pushing boundaries, making celebrities squirm, and leaving audiences roaring – whether with laughter or discomfort. True to form, his opening monologue for the 77th Golden Globes proved to be one of his most talked-about and controversial performances to date, cementing his status as the awards show host who dared to say what others only thought.
From the moment he stepped onto the Beverly Hilton stage, Gervais set a defiant tone. He immediately dismissed the traditional pleasantries, opting instead for a rapid-fire assault of jokes targeting Hollywood’s elite, its institutions, and even some of its most recent cinematic misfires. No topic was off-limits, no celebrity safe, as Gervais delivered a monologue that was simultaneously shocking, hilarious, and deeply uncomfortable for many in the room and watching at home. His performance sparked widespread discussions about the role of satire, the limits of free speech, and the evolving nature of celebrity culture in the age of social media, proving once again that Gervais is a master provocateur.
The Infamous ‘Cats’ Diss and Judy Dench Controversy
Among the barrage of biting jokes, one particular target drew significant attention and widespread laughter: the critically panned movie adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, Cats. Gervais didn’t just touch on it; he launched a full-scale comedic broadside, turning the film’s misfortunes into comedic gold. He began by targeting actor James Corden, who starred in the film, delivering a line that instantly became a viral sensation. “[This year], the world got to see James Corden as a fat pussy. He was also in the movie Cats. But no one saw that. And the reviews — ah, ‘shocking’. I saw one that said this is the worst thing to happen to cats since dogs.” This double-edged jab not only lampooned the movie’s box office failure and dismal critical reception but also playfully attacked Corden’s role, leaving the audience, including many celebrities, in stitches and slightly aghast.
However, Gervais was far from finished with Cats. He then turned his attention to the esteemed veteran actress, Dame Judi Dench, 85, who also featured prominently in the ill-fated musical as Old Deuteronomy. Dench had publicly expressed her pride in her work on the film, a sentiment Gervais gleefully twisted into an awkward, sexually charged joke that pushed the boundaries of taste and decorum. He noted that, of course, she would be proud because, in her feline role, she enjoyed lifting her leg and licking her own “pussy.” He then added an even more explicit and graphic detail, suggesting she probably choked on “hairballs” because “she’s old school,” a provocative statement punctuated with multiple expletives. This audacious joke, filled with explicit language and a clear intent to shock, exemplified Gervais’s willingness to transgress societal norms and comedic conventions, ensuring his monologue would be remembered long after the awards were handed out. The boldness of these specific jokes about “Cats” and Dame Judi Dench served as a stark reminder of Gervais’s unique brand of humor, one that delights in irreverence and fully embraces controversy.
No Holds Barred: Other Targets of the 2020 Monologue
Beyond the feline-themed roasts, Gervais systematically dismantled various other aspects of Hollywood culture and its personalities. His monologue was a masterclass in equal-opportunity offending, leaving no sacred cow unturned and no celebrity immune from his sharp tongue. He took direct aim at actress Felicity Huffman, whose involvement in the college admissions scandal had been a major news story leading up to the awards season. With characteristic bluntness, Gervais quipped about Huffman’s legal woes, reminding the audience of the widespread controversy that had rocked the industry. This particular joke landed with a mix of nervous laughter and cringes, as it touched upon a sensitive topic that had exposed hypocrisy within the elite circles of Hollywood, highlighting the stark contrast between their public image and private actions.
The host’s gaze also fell upon one of Hollywood’s most enduring heartthrobs, Leonardo DiCaprio, whose well-documented penchant for dating significantly younger women has often been the subject of public discussion and media scrutiny. Gervais, with his signature smirk and knowing glance, made a cutting remark about DiCaprio’s dating history, eliciting knowing chuckles and some uncomfortable shifts in seats from the audience. This kind of personal, yet broadly acknowledged, observation is a hallmark of Gervais’s style – he often points out the unspoken truths about celebrity lives that many observers think but rarely articulate publicly. It’s a method that allows him to connect with the audience by seemingly giving voice to their private thoughts, even if those thoughts are presented in a provocative and often shocking manner.
Even the legendary actor Joe Pesci, known for his formidable on-screen presence, wasn’t spared, becoming the subject of a light-hearted jest about his small stature. These types of physical jokes, while seemingly less offensive than some of his more charged comments, contribute to the overall impression of Gervais as someone who doesn’t discriminate in his targets. His humor is an indiscriminate force, leveling everyone from Oscar winners to controversial figures, ensuring no one in the room feels entirely safe or above his satirical gaze.
The ‘No Political Speeches’ Mandate and Kevin Hart Reference
Perhaps one of the most significant and widely debated segments of his monologue was Gervais’s direct address to the potential award winners regarding their acceptance speeches. He preempted any earnest, politically charged statements with a stark and cynical warning: “If you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a platform to make a political speech. You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg. If you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent and your god, and f** off.” This controversial directive, delivered with a wry, defiant smile, immediately sparked a flurry of reactions. It was seen by some as a refreshing call for entertainers to stick to entertainment and avoid perceived hypocrisy, while others viewed it as an attempt to stifle important conversations, silence dissenting voices, and trivialise social activism. The inclusion of Greta Thunberg in this context added another layer of topicality and potential offense, given her prominent and globally recognized role in climate activism.
Gervais cleverly set the stage for his own offensive humor by referencing comedian Kevin Hart, who had been fired from hosting the Oscars due to resurfaced offensive tweets. Gervais stated, “Kevin Hart was fired from the Oscars because of some offensive tweets. Lucky for me, the Hollywood Foreign Press can barely speak English. Remember, they’re just jokes. We’re all gonna die soon, and there’s no sequel.” This self-aware, preemptive defense of his own controversial style highlighted his understanding of the precarious line he walks in the world of modern comedy. It also served as an open invitation for the audience to embrace the absurdity and dark humor of the evening, reminding everyone that in his universe, jokes are just that – jokes, even if they hit close to the bone and challenge conventional sensitivities. This meta-commentary on “cancel culture” and the nature of offense underscored Gervais’s unique position as a comedian who revels in pushing societal buttons and questioning established norms, all while insisting it’s “just a joke.”
Ricky Gervais’s Legacy of Provocative Hosting
The 2020 Golden Globes was not an anomaly but rather the culmination of Ricky Gervais’s long-standing tradition of provocative hosting. His previous stints in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2016 had already established him as the undisputed master of the celebrity roast, a comedian unafraid to expose the perceived hypocrisy and self-importance of Hollywood. Each appearance saw him raising the bar for controversial humor, transforming the awards ceremony into a must-watch event not just for the awards themselves, but specifically for Gervais’s unpredictable and often shocking commentary. His unique ability to blend sharp satire with genuinely uncomfortable truths has made him a divisive yet undeniably compelling figure, one whose returns to the Golden Globes stage were always met with a mix of anticipation and trepidation.
Over the years, Gervais has made fun of virtually everyone, from musical icon Cher to leading man Ben Affleck. He famously referred to Bruce Willis as Ashton Kutcher’s dad, a humorous dig at the age difference between Kutcher and Willis’s ex-wife, Demi Moore, who was married to the much younger That ’70s Show star at the time. These jokes, while sometimes perceived as mean-spirited or unnecessary, were often designed to highlight celebrity absurdities and the unique dynamics of their public lives, underscoring Gervais’s belief that everyone, regardless of their fame or status, is fair game for comedic scrutiny. He operates on the principle that if you put yourself in the public eye, you open yourself up to criticism and jest, a philosophy that has both endeared him to some and alienated him from others.
The Caitlyn Jenner Controversy and Its Defense
Perhaps Gervais’s most widely discussed and controversial joke prior to 2020 came during his 2016 hosting gig, when he targeted Caitlyn Jenner. The joke, which suggested Jenner “didn’t do a lot for women drivers,” led to accusations of transphobia from some viewers and significant condemnation across social media. Gervais was referencing a 2015 road incident involving the Olympic gold medalist, who had recently confirmed her identity as a transgender woman. In the incident, Jenner reportedly rear-ended a car by accident, and that vehicle was then fatally struck by another car, resulting in a tragic loss of life. Given the sensitivity surrounding Jenner’s transition and the tragic nature of the accident, the joke was met with significant backlash and ignited a broader debate about the appropriateness and ethics of certain types of humor, particularly when targeting marginalized groups or sensitive events.
Gervais, however, is not one to back down from controversy or shy away from defending his comedic choices. He later addressed and defended this joke in his acclaimed 2018 Netflix special, Humanity. In his defense, he meticulously explained his comedic methodology: “I’m playing with the notion of stereotypes. I start off saying she’s a real woman… and I go, ‘Oh, well, she’s a real woman, I hit them with the old-fashioned reactionary stereotype: She must be a bad driver then.” This explanation shed light on Gervais’s often-misunderstood approach to comedy, which he argues is about dissecting stereotypes and societal prejudices by presenting them in an exaggerated, satirical light, rather than endorsing them. He often emphasizes that his jokes are not about the target themselves, but about the audience’s reaction and their preconceived notions, challenging them to examine their own biases. He insists that his humor aims to expose the absurdity of prejudice by exaggerating it, thereby provoking thought rather than merely causing offense.
Ricky Gervais taking no prisoners in tearing apart Cats. #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/UiwxCXVRoO
— Dyl (@Dylanoneill_95) January 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/vxdhxx/status/1213992871180849153
Beyond the Globes: Ricky Gervais’s “After Life” and Enduring Appeal
While his Golden Globes performances garner significant media attention and ignite global debates, Ricky Gervais’s creative endeavors extend far beyond the awards show stage. In March 2019, he premiered his highly anticipated Netflix series, After Life, which quickly became a global phenomenon, resonating deeply with critics and audiences alike. The dark comedy, which Gervais created, wrote, directed, and starred in, offered a profound and often heartbreaking exploration of grief, friendship, and finding meaning in life after immense loss. Gervais plays Tony Johnson, a local newspaper writer whose life is utterly upended by the sudden death of his beloved wife. Struggling with profound sadness, overwhelming anger, and nihilistic tendencies, Tony decides to abandon his previous persona as a “nice guy” and instead opts to say and do exactly what he feels, adopting a brutally honest and often offensive demeanor as a coping mechanism against his crippling pain. This character, in many ways, mirrored elements of Gervais’s public persona, but with an underlying vulnerability that humanized the often-prickly exterior.
After Life resonated deeply with audiences for its raw emotional honesty and its remarkable ability to blend Gervais’s signature cynical humor with moments of genuine pathos, tenderness, and vulnerability. The series demonstrates his incredible versatility as a storyteller, moving beyond simple celebrity roasts to tackle complex human emotions and universal themes of loss, healing, and connection. It showcases his ability to use comedy not just for shock value or satirical critique, but as a profound vehicle for exploring deeper philosophical questions about morality, kindness, purpose, and the perennial search for happiness and meaning in a seemingly absurd world. The immense success of After Life reinforced Gervais’s enduring appeal, proving that his audience appreciates his nuanced, dramatic, and introspective work just as much as his outrageous awards show antics.
His work on After Life, which continued for three critically and commercially successful seasons, also provides a compelling counterpoint to his Golden Globes persona. While on stage, he embodies the ultimate provocateur, a comedian seemingly impervious to public opinion, who delights in challenging authority and perceived hypocrisy. In After Life, however, he crafts a character grappling with the profound impact of his words and actions on others, learning the value of empathy and connection. This fascinating duality reveals a complex artist who uses different platforms to explore different facets of the human condition, always with a distinctive voice and an unwavering willingness to challenge conventional thinking, whether through a laugh or a tear.
Conclusion: The Enduring Impact of Ricky Gervais’s Humor
Ricky Gervais’s fifth and final turn as host of the Golden Globe Awards in 2020 was, without a doubt, a quintessential Gervais performance. It was a masterclass in pushing the comedic envelope, reminding everyone why he is both loved and loathed in equal measure. His memorable diss of the Cats movie, his controversial and explicit joke about Judy Dench, and his direct challenge to Hollywood’s self-importance and perceived moral superiority solidified his legacy as one of the most polarizing, yet undeniably entertaining, awards show hosts of all time. He remains a figure who truly polarizes, but whose impact is undeniable.
His distinctive brand of humor, characterized by its fearless attacks on celebrity egos, its embrace of dark and often taboo themes, and its unapologetic use of expletives, has undeniably left an indelible mark on the landscape of awards show hosting. Gervais has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to tap into public cynicism about fame and fortune, articulating sentiments that many might share but are too polite or afraid to voice. He strips away the glitz and glamour, revealing the perceived absurdities and hypocrisies beneath the surface, forcing audiences and nominees alike to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and the industry they inhabit.
Whether one finds his humor offensive, exhilarating, or a nuanced combination of both, there’s no denying the profound and lasting impact Ricky Gervais has had on the Golden Globes and wider popular culture. He transforms a typically self-congratulatory event into a gladiatorial arena where no one is safe from his sharp wit and unfiltered commentary. His 2020 monologue was a fitting capstone to his unparalleled hosting career, a final, emphatic statement on his comedic philosophy: that in a world where everyone is “gonna die soon, and there’s no sequel,” laughter, even uncomfortable and challenging laughter, is perhaps the most honest and necessary response of all.