Golden Globes 2011 Broadcast A Ratings Winner

NEW YORK — The Nielsen Co. says Sunday's Golden Globes ceremony was seen by almost 17 million TV viewers. It beat all network competition in its time period, slightly exceeding last year's audience for the film and TV awards show.

According to time zone-adjusted Nielsen "fast national" figures released Monday, it was NBC's most-watched prime-time entertainment telecast in the 18-to-49 demographic since last year's Golden Globes.

Carried by NBC from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern time, the program aired live in every time zone for the second year in a row.

British comedian-actor Ricky Gervais returned as host, irreverently lampooning many of the nominees, presenters and even the sponsoring Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

___

Online:

http://www.nbc.com

Comments

[MIKEinNYC]

11:12 PM on 01/19/2011

17 million viewers. Need I say more? He'll be back next year. The ratings will be huge. Everybody will tune in just to hear and see what he'll say next.

The problem is that celebritie­s may decline to attend for fear of getting a roasting.

[AD]

01:03 PM on 01/19/2011

I love Ricky. The GG were fun to watch, especially when the celebrity presenters made thier own quips in retort to Ricky's. That was priceless. Just loved Bruce Willis' face when he hard his introduction. Looked like Bruce wanted to run up to Ricky and punch him. I really am sure in retrospect Bruce Willis had a laugh about the Ashton Kutcher comment. Loved Robert Downey Jr's retort too. Sly Stallone also looked so terribly flummoxed, but I am sure he got over it quickly and had a chuckle at his own expense. Ricky's qiups were so funny, so what if a few presenters got roasted. Ricky made the GG's so much more interesting, and really, no harm done at all. Would love to see him host it again.

[KenClay]

12:49 PM on 01/19/2011

And now your a Horrible Shameless Human being!

[MsMassachusetts]

11:48 AM on 01/19/2011

I absolutely loved Ricky. I couldn't stop laughing. He WAS the show. These spoiled stars need a little goosing once in awhile. It builds character. :)

[pjlowry]

10:41 AM on 01/19/2011

See ya next year Ricky!

[bogey1]

10:36 AM on 01/19/2011

uh oh, what is the HFPA going to do now?

great ratings, slightly beating last year
HFPA "source" chews Gervais out
and Gervais says he won't do it again

wait till we watch the milquetoast hosts of this year's Oscars and then wish Gervais was hosting that too
at least we'll all get a good night's sleep as we fall asleep by 10 pm

[medsch]

07:03 AM on 01/19/2011

I thought he was brilliant..... Tom Hanks and Tim Allen were just giving it back to him and did not appear upset... The thing with Steve Carrell appeared to be the same thing, it was hilarious....

[dana94591]

07:37 PM on 01/18/2011

Good for him! I got bored but I stuck with it until the end. I like Ricky but I was "beyond" the jokes.

[alicetilden]

06:36 PM on 01/18/2011

The HFP better start begging Ricky Gervais to host if they want those ratings next year.

[bogey1]

10:37 AM on 01/19/2011

I believe Gervais's agent will utter the phrase; "ching ching" while rubbing his thumb and fore and index fingers together....

[Seral]

05:00 PM on 01/18/2011

Despite the critics, I enjoyed Gervais. His bitter mouth definitely helped the show. If only the celebrities would all be like Robert Downey Jr. to respond accordingly...Though I wouldn't mind having Fey and Carrell present it next time...

[Pundit Commentator]

04:40 PM on 01/18/2011

Way to go, Mr. Gervais.

[Peter Boehringer]

04:23 PM on 01/18/2011

Can't wait to see all the HFP kissing up to Gervais after dissing him since Sunday. Chapstick will be flying off the shelves in Hollywood tomorrow.

[mataylor16]

03:40 PM on 01/18/2011

Politicians: take note. If you actually tell the truth to the arrogant sacred cows in our society who so desperately need their comeuppance, the masses greatly approve.

[Cowboylove]

03:35 PM on 01/18/2011

Hmmm...it will be interesting to see how they view Ricky Gervais' irreverence now! Money talks and ratings are money. I am sure all is forgiven and he may well be asked back again next year!

[JT16682]

03:27 PM on 01/18/2011

It is really hard to reconcile inflated egos with the truth.