Golden Globes Host Odds – Is More Gervais on the Menu in 2017?

If 2016’s Golden Globes proved anything it was that (a) the Hollywood Foreign Press has no idea what constitutes a “comedy,” and (b) Ricky Gervais should host every award show on the planet.

The Brit’s comedy stylings might not be everybody’s cup of tea, and he does enjoy offending some of Hollywood’s “disgusting, pill-popping, sexual deviant scum,” but that’s why people tune in.

If anything, Amy Poehler/Tina Fey (2012-14 hosts) and Gervais have proven that being the face of the Golden Globes telecast is more about roasting than hosting.

After a few wobbly pops at a Weinstein-Netflix Golden Globes afterparty, Gervais told a few reporters that he was asked to return to host the 2017 show. However, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt says that the network hasn’t officially decided. “Ricky made a decision about returning, but we haven’t made that yet,” joked Greenblatt.

So who should be the “host with the most” at the 2017 Golden Globes? We lay out some top candidates for next year’s “buy-an-award” affair.

Odds to host the 2017 Golden Globes:

Ricky Gervais: 3/1

Ricky is the odds on favorite to pull hosting duties for a fifth time. The truth is, Gervais brings in viewers because people want to hear the craziness that comes out of his mouth. Gervais’ antics don’t just boost TV ratings, either; the social media response to his brand of humor is still palpable days after the show. It’s up to NBC whether they want to have the brash Brit host back-to-back Globes. There is no doubt that he’ll host again; the only question is: will it be in 2017?

Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence: 4/1

Sometimes two heads are better than one. “J.Law” and “A.Schu” lit up the Globes when they were briefly on stage in 2016. Schumer, alone, is biting and controversial. Add a little Jennifer Lawrence to the mix, and you have a dynamic duo. Many people took to Twitter asking NBC to have the two best friends pull hosting duties in 2017.

Seth Meyers: 8/1

At some point, Seth Meyers will get the call up from his late-night NBC talk show duties to host the Globes (which also air on NBC). Will it be in 2017? In years past, Meyers has silently been a part of the hosting duties by writing material for Fey and Poehler. Is 2017 the year he finally gets his shot?

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey: 9/1

Poehler and Fey went on a three-year run as hosts (2012-14) and their brand of humor is considered somewhat safe. Celebrities in attendance probably feel a tad more comfortable with the former SNL stars, rather than having Ricky and his pint of beer laying siege to everyone and everything. The funny ladies have let it be known that they do not plan on hosting again. But “never again” could be interpreted as a brief hiatus.

John Oliver: 14/1

Oliver is the host of HBO’s popular Last Week Tonight, and could have the perfect comedy stylings to host a big event like the Globes. Oliver, another Brit, might actually be the perfect Miracle Whip replacement for Ricky’s Gervais-onnaise.

Aziz Ansari: 16/1

Thanks to an award-winning book, a successful standup career, and a popular Netflix show, Ansari is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after comedians in the game. His comedy could liven up the place, and he’d definitely be someone to think about when it comes to hosting the big show.

Andy Samberg: 18/1

Saturday Night Live alumnus Samberg appeared to be auditioning for the role of Globes host when he put together a well-rehearsed intro before presenting the trophy for Best TV Comedy Actress. He also did a great job hosting the 2015 Emmys, but he’s a bit of a dark horse; there isn’t a lot of crossover when it comes to hosting major awards shows.

Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele: 20/1

After a slew of 2015 Emmy nominations for their show Key and Peele and with movies like Keanu on the horizon, it might be time to bring this sketch comedy duo to the Golden Globe stage. While a lot of hosts do straightforward monologues, it would be fun to see some sketch comedy infused into the show.

Stephen Colbert: 25/1

Colbert hasn’t missed a beat since becoming the host of The Late Show. The former star of The Colbert Report has a razor-sharp wit without ever crossing the line. Plus, he’s a comparative veteran when it comes to hosting star-studded galas; an evening of Golden Globe hosting duties could be just what the award show needs.

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum: 30/1

This 21 Jump Street duo was briefly on the 2016 Globe stage when Hill pretended to be the bear from The Revenant. Although funny, NBC had to censor a lot of it due to Hill dropping a few F-bombs. That said, with proper preparation and material, the duo of Tatum and Hill could bring a younger demographic to the show.

Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt: 50/1

Gosling and Pitt featured in one of the most talked about two minutes of the 2016 Globes. The handsome pair would push ratings to an all-time high, and their versatility – they can be funny or just stand there and look pretty – makes them perfectly suited to the hosting role.

Ricky Gervais and Mel Gibson: 75/1

If you’re going to bring Ricky Gervais back, then why not have him paired up with Mel Gibson? Although the two exchanged barbs at the 2016 Globes, that kind of awkward chemistry could do wonders for a stagnant evening of self-aggrandizing.

(Photo Credit: Caroline Bonarde Ucci [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons. Photo has been cropped.)