Gervais tapped to be Golden Globes host

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Ricky Gervais has been named host of the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards show in January, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association said Monday.

The presentation is to take place Jan. 17 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., and to air on NBC.

Gervais is a comedian and actor best known for creating and starring in the TV comedy series "Extras," as well as the original British version of "The Office." He has also appeared in the films "The Invention of Lying," "Ghost Town" and "Night at the Museum."

The HFPA, dick clark productions and NBC announced Gervais' hiring as host Monday.

"Not only is this the biggest Hollywood celebration of the industry which includes both film and TV, but also an environment where I feel I can get free reign as a host. I have resisted many other offers like this, but there are just some things you don't turn down," Gervais said in a statement.

"Ricky is certainly one of the funniest people on the planet and has provided some of the most hilarious and memorable awards show moments in recent memory," Paul Telegdy, executive vice president of alternative programming for NBC and Universal Media Studios, said.