British comedian Ricky Gervais is speaking out amidst the media firestorm that erupted following his controversial Golden Globes diatribe against Hollywood’s elite.
“They hired me more for a job and if they didn’t want me, they shouldn’t have hired me,” Ricky told fellow Brit Piers Morgan in an interview set to air on Thursday on CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight.”
“The Office” creator – and star of the original UK versoin of the hit comedy – made headlines this week when he delivered a barrage of cringe-inducing jabs at the stars while hosting Sunday’s award show, including Robert Downey Jr., Tim Allen, Hugh Hefner, Angelina Jolie, Bruce Willis, the President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and famed Scientologist Tom Cruise.
“Someone asked me, you know, as a fellow Brit on TV in America, ‘What do you think of what happened to Ricky?’” Piers said. “I said, ‘It’s a bit like inviting a hammerhead shark out to dinner and then when he eats all the guests, you start complaining.’
“I mean, you kind of know what you’re going to get,” Piers continued.
“I don’t think I did anything wrong,” Ricky told Piers. “I honestly, you know, those were like jibes at these people and I’m sure they’ve got a sense of humor.”
Ricky was quick to emphasize that while he doesn’t personally struggle with any addictions, his comments regarding stars’ battles with various forms of substance abuse did not come from a place of judgment.
“I’m not judging them,” he told Piers. “I’m not judging them for what they did.”
“You’re mocking them, aren’t you?” Piers prodded.
“No, I’m not. I’m confronting the elephant in the room,” Ricky replied. “They hired me – like I’m going to go out there and not talk about the issues in their industry. Don’t forget, I’ve got to be an outsider there. I mustn’t come out there as everyone’s mate and schmooze – that’s nauseating.
“I’ve got to come out there and I’ve got to roast them,” he continued.
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, while Ricky’s future as an awards show host may be up in the air, he’s got an “Office” job to fall back on.
The funnyman will guest star on the January 27 episode of “The Office,” NBC confirmed to Access Hollywood on Wednesday.
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