Golden Globes 2012: Ricky Gervais' Opening Monologue (Video)

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Ricky Gervais returned to the stage for the third time to host the Golden Globes on Sunday, January 15.

After last year's performance, many felt that the British comedian had gone too far with some of his jokes. So what would the actor bring to the podium this year?

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In his opening monologue, Gervais wasn't afraid to take jabs at NBC, Helen Mirren ("Honestly, you don't see a lot of it because she's got good PR, but she's off the rails,"), Johnny Depp, Justin Bieber, Jodie Foster and the Globes themselves ("For any of you who don't know, the Golden Globes are just like the Oscars, but without all that esteem.")

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Read the full monologue below:

"So where was I? Nervous? Don't be. This isn't about you. Hello, I'm Ricky Gervais and welcome to the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

Voted for by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Tonight you get Britain's biggest comedian, hosting the world's second biggest awards show on America's third biggest network. Sorry, is it? Fourth. It's fourth.

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For any of you who don't know, the Golden Globes are just like the Oscars, but without all that esteem. The Golden Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton. A bit louder, a bit trashier, a bit drunker, and more easily bought. Allegedly. Nothing's been proved.

But who needs the Oscars? Not me. And not Eddie Murphy. He walked out on them, and good for him. But when the man who said yes to Norbit says no to you, you know you're in trouble. I love Eddie Murphy. He loves dressing up, doesn't he. Versatile. He's versatile. No, he is.

Bit of trivia for you. Eddie Murphy and Adam Sandler between them played all the parts in the movie The Help. Isn't that brilliant. They were brilliant.

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I cant believe they're not here. Or maybe they are. They're masters of disguise.

Now the Hollywood Foreign Press have warned me that if I insult any of you or any of them or offend any viewers or cause any controversy whatsoever, they'll definitely invite me back next year as well.

They actually gave me a list of rules. I'm going to ignore them, but I thought it would be good to read them out. This is real, ok?

No profanity. That's fine. I've got a huge vocabulary.

No nudity. See, that's a shame. Because I've got a huge ... vocabulary. But a tiny penis. No, no. Doesn't matter. It works. Don't worry about it. It's fine.

And I'm not to libel anyone. And I must not mention Mel Gibson this year. Not his private life, his politics, his recent films, and especially not Jodie Foster's Beaver.

I haven't seen it myself. I spoken to a lot of guys here, they haven't seen it either. That doesn't mean it's not any good.

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It's been an amazing year in show business. It's not all been good news. What's with all the divorces? What's going on? Arnold and Maria, J-Lo and Mark Anthony, Ashton and Demi. Kim Kardashian and some guy no one will remember. He wasn't around long. Seventy-two days. A marriage that lasted 72 days. I've sat through longer James Cameron acceptance speeches.

Other celebrity scandals: Justin Bieber nearly had to take a paternity test. What a waste of a test that would have been. No, he's not the father. The only way he could have impregnated the girl was if he borrow one of Martha Stewart's old turkey basters. Open wide.

It's been a big year for women in film. Bridesmaids, one of my favorite comedies of the year. The girls finally proved that they can be as raunchy as men. Farting, burping, cursing, performing wild sex acts, even pooping in the sink. I actually heard for research the cast spent the weekend with Dame Helen Mirren. She's dreadful. Honestly, you don't see a lot of it because she's got good PR, but she's off the rails.

But the Golden Globes aren't just about movies. It also celebrated the best in TV as well. New shows like the amazing Homeland. And returning shows like Boardwalk Empire. I love that show. It's great. It's about a load of immigrants who came to America about 100 years ago and they got involved in bribing and corruption and they worked their way up into high society. But enough about the Hollywood Foreign Press.

I'm joking. I love them and they're good sports for inviting me back. What I didn't know is they do an awful lot for charity and their non-profit organization. Just like NBC.

Should we get on with it?

This time last year, our first presenter was the biggest movie star on the planet. I insulted his film The Tourist, causing his career to plummet so far that he was forced to work with me on my new show, Life's Too Short, which premieres on HBO on Feb. 19. Please welcome the man who will wear literally anything Tim Burton tells him to, Johnny Depp."