Robert Downey Jr. Calls Ricky Gervais' Golden Globes 'Hugely Mean-Spirited'

The Golden Globes are known to be one of the most relaxed, fun awards shows of the season – but this year, thanks to tart-tongued quips by host Ricky Gervais, not everyone had a ball.

Presenter Robert Downey Jr. is one of them. When Gervais introduced him on stage, he rattled off a list of the actor's films before snipping, "But many of you in this room probably know him best from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail."   Downey Jr later said on stage: "Aside from the fact that it's been hugely mean-spirited with mildly sinister undertones, I'd say the vibe of the show has been pretty good so far, wouldn't you?"     Presenters Tom Hanks and his Toy Story 3 costar Tim Allen also criticized Gervais, with Hanks saying: "We recall when Ricky Gervais was a slightly chubby but very kind comedian," to which Allen added: "Neither of which he is now."   THR caught up with other stars for their reactions:   Christian Bale: “Thank God for comedians,” he said, adding that he had no problems with Gervais' zingers: “I’m hoping he’s going to keep going further.”   The Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons: "He started with a bang and went right for the jugular. It was great! I thought he was really funny. It's like he walked up to the edge, and then he jumped right on over and didn't look back. I was scandalized, I tell you. I think he's hilarious and funny and whenever you're funny, you're gonna push some people's buttons. I thought he was hilarious, but I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end, I can tell you that. I was laughing while thinking, 'Oh, God. Not me, never me.'"    Al Pacino: "He’s a comic, so he’s going to go for it. He’s letting it go. The only thing he can really get to is his own wit. He has to censor himself. I’m sure he’s planned some of it - [the jokes] really fly. You don’t know what [he's] going to say!"   Glee’s Heather Morris: "I thought he was hysterical. He was so dry. He's funny as hell."    Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh: "He was hilarious. I thought he was just perfect. If he knocked me, it’s all in good fun. If we take ourselves too seriously, then what are we doing here? He makes us realize that we are all here for reasons that go between skill and luck. Let’s enjoy it."   Access Hollywood's Billy Bush:  "I thought was Gervais was fearless ... He literally doesn't care. He doesn't give a s---t, and that's the best part."