Viewers are calling for the Golden Globes to bring back Ricky Gervais after Jerrod Carmichael's opening monologue.
The US comedian kicked off the 80th annual Golden Globe Awards by addressing the ceremony’s previous diversity controversy.
Last year’s show was turned into a ‘private event’ by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) after criticism over a lack of diversity.
Jerrod Carmichael said: “I’ll tell you why I’m here, I’m here because I’m black.
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“I’ll tell you what’s been going on.
“This show, the Golden Globe Awards did not air last year, because the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which I won’t say they were a racist organisation, but they didn’t have a single black member until George Floyd died – do with that information what you will.
“One minute I’m making mint tea at home, the next you’re invited to be the black face of an embattled white organisation.
“Life really comes at you fast.”
Despite the monologue being met with laughter from the audience, it seems that viewers on social media are calling for five-time host Gervais to make a return.
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One person commented: "Ricky Gervais wishes he could've made that room as uncomfortable as Jerrod Carmichael did."
"Jerrod Carmichael just made a great for why the #GoldenGlobes2023 should have brought back Ricky Gervais," another added.
Someone else wrote: "Isn't it premature to declare Jerrod Carmichael the anti-Ricky Gervais?"
Last year's awards were subsequently announced on the Golden Globes website and social media accounts, after US network NBC refused to air the show.
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It was claimed that none of the HFPA's 87 members were black, prompting the organisation to recruit 21 new members.
As a result, the HFPA promised to overhaul its bylaws and implement changes, which would address ethics and inclusion.
This year’s televised event took place at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles.
Ke Huy Quan won the first Golden Globe award of the evening, best supporting actor in a motion picture, for his role in Everything Everywhere All At Once.
“I was raised to never forget where I came from, and to always remember who gave me my first opportunity. I am so happy to see Steven Spielberg here tonight,” he said.
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“As I grew older, I started to wonder if that was it. If that was just luck for so many years, I was afraid I had nothing more to offer.
“That no matter what I did I would I would never surpass what I achieved as a kid.
“Thankfully, more than 30 years later, two guys remembered that kid and they gave me an opportunity.”
Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, Ricky Gervais