When the stars of Hollywood meticulously dressed in designer gowns and tuxedos, draped themselves in borrowed diamonds and stepped lightly into their limos to go to the 68th Golden Globe Awards ceremony, did they realize that they were driving to their own execution?

Sure, Ricky Gervais had hosted the Golden Globes the previous year, so they knew to expect a certain level of sting from his jokes, but I don’t think anyone could have been prepared for what Ricky had in store for them on Sunday night as he sauntered up to the podium to give his opening monologue.

What transpired over the next few minutes and continued throughout the two-hour ceremony was perhaps the most vitriolic, mean-spirited (and admittedly honest) take-down of American celebrity, outside of a Comedy Central Roast.

No one was safe.

Certainly not Hollywood royalty Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, whose latest film, and Best Comedy or Musical nominee, “The Tourist” was one of Gervais’ first targets. 

“It seems like everything this year was three-dimensional,” Gervais said, talking about the good year 3-D movies had, “…except for the characters in The Tourist,” he continued. “I’m jumping on the bandwagon, because I haven’t even seen The Tourist.  Who has?”

He went on to attribute the film’s nominations to bribery.

The camera quickly cut to Johnny Depp grinding his teeth, but didn’t show Angelina Jolie’s reaction, presumably because her gaze would have melted the camera’s lens and wiring. 
 
And this was just the beginning — a warm up. 

Gervais went on a rampage, and his many casualties included Tom Cruise and John Travolta (both of whom he claimed were secretly gay), Hugh Hefner (whereupon he acted out an exaggeration of Heffner’s 24 year-old wife gagging during foreplay), Tim Allen (who he implied had zero accomplishments as an actor) and Robert Downey Jr. (who, he emphatically reminded the audience, had gone to rehab). 

By Monday morning, after the show was over and the dust had somewhat settled, it seemed like more people were talking about Gervais than about the winners (“The Social Network” for Drama, “The Kids Are All Right” for Comedy, and “Boardwalk Empire” and “Glee” for the television categories).

The consensus was split.  On one side were those who thought he was brilliant and gave the Hollywood “elite” what they deserved, that he only voiced what everyone was already thinking.  On the other side were those who think his behavior, though funny, was inappropriate for the occasion.

For the audience at least, it was entertaining. Although we fawn over and idolize celebrities, there is still that jealousy-fueled resentment of the rich and entitled that makes us like seeing them squirm.

For Gervais, however, there might be some serious repercussions.  He will certainly not be invited back to host next year.  And more, with him being a comedian/actor/producer trying to succeed in Hollywood, making enemies out of an entire auditorium full of other actors, directors, producers and craftsmen in the industry (especially when they are already stressed and jittery over whether they will win, or depressed because they already didn’t) seems like a particularly unwise career move.  He’s certainly not going to co-star with Angelina Jolie in a movie anytime soon. 

So I guess a better question is, when he dressed in his designer tuxedo and stepped into his limo to drive to his second hosting gig at the Golden Globes, did Ricky Gervais realize that he was driving to his own career suicide?