Source: Variety

After causing a splash with several well-received Emmy presentations, British comedian Ricky Gervais has agreed to host the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards, which are scheduled to air live from the Beverly Hilton on January 17th, 2010.

Gervais, the co-creator of "The Office" and Emmy-winning star of the HBO/BBC co-production "Extras", commented that, “not only is this the biggest Hollywood celebration of the industry which includes both film and TV, but also an environment where I feel I can get free reign as a host. I have resisted many other offers like this, but there are just some things you don't turn down.”

Gervais most recently was the co-writer/co-director/star of this month's The Invention of Lying, which earned a modest $17 million at the domestic box office. His next film, Cemetary Junction, will reteam him with Stephen Merchant, with whom he scripted and directed every episode of the original UK "Office" and "Extras".