Ricky Gervais wins a Golden Globe for Armageddon

Seems journalists like the stand-up special more than they admit in print...

Many critics have slated it, but Ricky Gervais’s Armageddon has won the first Golden Globe for best stand-up special.

The controversial show was shortlisted for the accolade even before its December 25 release date, and last night it took the title, as voted for by member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Gervais himself seemed surprised by the decision, tweeting: 'I f***ing won!'

Many reviewers had criticised the show. Hollywood trade bible Variety said it ‘tries so hard to be edgy and offensive — but it’s just a total bore’.

The Independent said: 'Armageddon is just another piece of lazy comedy that plays on the majority’s fear of minority voices.’

Website Decider said: ‘Gervais is engaging in straw-man arguments to fuel his own backlash and propel his infamy’ for commercial gain.

In its review of the live show The Guardian said Gervais often suffered from being ‘macho and smug’ rather than 'curious and engaged’, while the Daily Telegraphy could muster no more enthusiasm than saying the comic was ‘competent enough’.

However enough journalists who cover Hollywood liked it enough to vote for it, and as Gervais – who has hosted the Golden Globes five times – constantly likes to remind critics, his work is commercially popular.

Armageddon is currently the No1 English language TV show on Netflix globally, with more than 8million hours viewed last week and the streamer reportedly pays Gervais around $20million for each special.

Elsewhere last night, the Golden Globes’ TV comedy categories were dominated by The Bear and Beef.

The Bear won best musical or comedy series, with stars Ayo Edebiri and Jeremy Allen White both scooping best acting awards.

While Netflix comedy drama Beef won the limited series category, with Ali Wong and Steven Yeun claiming accolades for their performances.

The Golden Globes introduced the best stand-up special category this year, with Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact; Chris Rock: Selective Outrage; Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love; Trevor Noah: Where Was I and Wanda Sykes: I’m An Entertainer also nominated.

Presenting the award, Jim Gaffigan said: ‘It’s the first time that comedians are going to be acknowledged at a major award show

‘For 80 years, good looking people threw a party and then you guys finally decided to invite the talented people.

‘Stand-up comedy is a brutal business. And thanks to Netflix, people get overpaid for it.’

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Published: 8 Jan 2024