Ricky Gervais on the Golden Globes: 'I Only Do Things That Could End My Career Now'

"I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings....or undermine the moral fabric of America."

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So said Ricky Gervais of his performance at this Sunday's Golden Globes during a stop on the Television Critics Association's winter press tour Friday to peddle his upcoming HBO series Life's Too Short. Though he's keeping his gags and their subjects under wraps, he quipped that he's returning after a controversial turn as host last year because of the reports that said he'd never be invited back. "I did it to annoy them," he said, grinning widely.

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Working in the comedian's favor is the freedom of final edit, which Gervais says he demands and gets. The result is that he will once again get to do it in his way, and he acknowledges that to not attack those in the room would be a disappointment for those who tune in. Still, he insists they're just gags. 

"I’d rather they laugh than gasp, but I cherish the gasps along with the laughs," he said of the desired reactions, adding that he knows and admires many of the actors in the room and has no desire to ruin their nights. What's more, he insisted that none of his subjects last year were "outraged" as many of the media reports suggested. "Everyone took it well... [they] were cool with it."

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To hear Gervais tell it, he is a conscious comedian. "I’m not one of those people who thinks comedy is your conscience taking a day off," he insisted. "My conscience never takes a day off." 

In a smaller gaggle following the panel he suggested that personal tragedy will be off limits. Poor movie choices or funky sartorial choices, on the other hand, are very much fair game. 

"What’s the worst that can happen?" he added, that grin back on his face. "I only do things that could end my career now. That’s the fun. That’s my extreme sport."

Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose