GOLDEN GLOBE AND EMMY AWARD WINNER RICKY GERVAIS SET FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR AS HOST OF NBC'S LIVE BROADCAST OF "THE 69TH ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS" ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2012

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - November 17 -- Multi-talented Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Ricky Gervais ("The Office," "The Ricky Gervais Show") has signed for the third time to return as host of NBC's "The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards" on Sunday, January 15, 2012. This year's show will again be broadcast live coast-to-coast from 5-8 p.m. (PT) and 8-11 p.m. (ET) from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

The announcement was made today by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Dr. Aida Takla O'Reilly, dick clark productions and NBC.

"They must be mad. Not sure if I'm flattered that they trust me or insulted that they trust me. Either way... they shouldn't trust me," said Gervais.

"We are extremely pleased to be working with Ricky Gervais again as he brings his notorious wit to Hollywood's biggest party of the year," said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC. "He seems to get better each year as host of the Globes, and he adds an unpredictable element to the ceremonies that keeps everyone on their toes."

"It's our pleasure to welcome Ricky Gervais back and we hope everyone watching will have as much fun as we will," said Dr. Aida Takla-O'Reilly, president of the HFPA.

"We are very happy that Ricky will be joining us for a 3rd year as host of the Golden Globe Awards," stated dcp's president, Orly Adelson. "His unique point of view and his mischievous streak are a perfect match to the irreverent nature of the show."

Last year's (2011) "Golden Globe Awards" earned the event's biggest overall audience (17.003 million) since 2007. With a 5.2 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, "The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards" earned NBC's highest 18-49 rating in the time period, excluding sports, since the prior year's Golden Globes.

At the time of its airing, the 2011 "Golden Globes" equaled the highest 18-49 rating for any network in the time period, excluding sports, since ABC's telecast of the "Academy Awards" on the previous March 7. It was also at that time NBC's top-rated primetime entertainment telecast in adults 18-49 since the 2010 "Golden Globes."

Creator and star of "The Office" and "Extras," Gervais has won three Golden Globes, two primetime Emmys, and seven BAFTAS. "The Office" is the most successful British comedy of all time, shown in more than 90 countries with seven remakes. The NBC version is the most successful U.S. remake of a British show in more than 30 years.

Considered the most influential British comedian since Charlie Chaplin, Gervais is an award-winning standup comedian, and his tour "Fame" became the fastest-selling UK stand up show in history. Gervais is also featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most downloaded Internet show of all time. He has written, directed, produced and starred in "Cemetery Junction," "The Invention of Lying" and starred in "Ghost Town."

In 2010, Gervais was asked to be the first host of the Golden Globes since 1995. He was named in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World and awarded the 'Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award' from the Banff World Television Festival.

"The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards" will be seen in more than 160 countries worldwide and is one of the few awards ceremonies that span both television and motion picture achievements. The special will be produced by dick clark productions in association with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Dr. Aida Takla O'Reilly is President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Orly Adelson, president of dick clark productions and Barry Adelman will executive-produce the special. Bob Bardo is the executive in charge of production.

For more information on "The 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards" please visit: http://www.nbc.com/golden-globes/

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