Gervais wants Sheen to accept Emmy
Ricky Gervais has been left stunned after learning he has personally been nominated for an Emmy award for his controversial slot hosting the Golden Globes – and he wants embattled actor Charlie Sheen to accept the prize if he wins.
The British funnyman shocked fans and the A-list crowd at the ceremony in January after making outrageous jibes about the star-studded audience.
His performance was met with complaints from several celebrities, as well as event organizers, who labelled the jokes “totally unacceptable”.
But now Gervais’ time on the show has led to him being nominated for Best Special Class Program at the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards – a category left blank on the original nominations list while the producers are vetted for eligibility.
And The Office star is amused by the turn of events – on his official blog he writes, “That Golden Globes thing I did has been nominated for an Emmy. Ha ha. Hilarious.”
Gervais reveals he was unaware he would be up for a prize, telling GoldDerby.com, “No, I didn’t realize that I was nominated in this category. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. It’s confusing. There are so many producers of a TV show that the academy has to go through all of the forms they make you fill out.
“Usually, you have to kill someone to get that kind of press I got hosting the Golden Globes… I can’t believe the reaction it caused. I don’t care if you’re offended. Just because you’re offended, doesn’t mean you’re right. If you don’t like what I did at the Globes, you should see my stand-up act. Your head will explode.”
And Gervais, who primarily resides in his native U.K., reveals if he wins the category, he wants Sheen to collect the trophy for him: “I’d like Charlie Sheen to accept my Emmy if I win for hosting the Golden Globes… because he’s a tortured one – like me.”
The star is up against the Oscars, Grammys and Tonys telecasts for the prize, which will be handed out at the Creative Arts ceremony, held one week before the main Emmy event, which airs on September 18.