Comedian Ricky Gervais, who has taken plenty of criticism for his relentless jokes about Hollywood celebrities in past hosting gigs for the Golden Globes, has nevertheless been asked back as the host of this year's show. The Golden Globes tweeted news of the agreement today.

Some representatives of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which produces the annual awards show, were less than eager to invite the comedian back for a third time. "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," reads a statement on the group's website. But NBC saw a boost in ratings during the last telecast and reportedly lobbied to bring Gervais back. 

At last January's show, Gervais tweaked many of the biggest names in Hollywood, introducing Bruce Willis as "Ashton Kutcher's dad" and wondering why there was no special effects nomination for "the team that airbrushed" the Sex and the City 2 poster.

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