Ricky Gervais is returning as host of the Golden Globes following a Wednesday vote by the The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Variety's Josh Dickey was first to report. Some details still need to be worked out before the decision is ratified, but with all parties now in agreement, Gervais is all but locked to appear on the January 15 telecast on NBC. HFPA membership was divided on whether to bring back Gervais, whose personal attacks during last year’s monologue made many uneasy. After meeting with an official from NBC — which was very much in favor of Gervais’ return — the vote went his way. The HFPA confirmed the news on its website moments later Wednesday, saying: “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. 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.’”
