The Oscars may have shied away from controversy by dropping Brett Ratner and, consequently, Eddie Murphy but the Golden Globes are welcoming it.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has officially announced that Ricky Gervais, who took heat for his bashful hosting style at last year's awards show, will return to host the Golden Globes in January.
The decision was made after the HFPA met with a top official at NBC, which will air the show. Even though not all members of the Association are pleased with the news.
"While many welcome Gervais's return, not everyone is happy with the decision because last year his blunt one-liners targeting big-name celebrities caused anger and resentment in some quarters," reveals a member on the HFPA website.
"After the show Gervais dismissed the possibility of coming back for a third time, but he gradually warmed to the idea and last month met with HFPA President Dr. Aida Takla-O'Reilly in Paris to discuss it."
Just don't expect Gervais to clean up his act.
Minutes after the official announcement, Gervais joked on his website: "Just told Billy Crystal he'd better not use any of my holocaust or pedophile material at The Oscars. He agreed."
Expecting much of the same, Piers Morgan has already booked the comedian's first interview after the awards show.
"Dear Ricky Gervais, please can I have the first 'Sorry if I offended anyone' interview after the 2012 Golden Globes, like last time?," asked Morgan on Twitter.
"I'll escape to New York straight after," quipped Gervais. "See you there."