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Ricky Gervais shares scathing ‘opening joke’ for Oscars as hostless ceremony gets underway

Comedian hosted the Golden Globes for the fifth and final time this year

Roisin O'Connor
Monday 10 February 2020 01:17 GMT
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Oscars 2020: Who are the nominees?

Ricky Gervais has shared what he says would have been his first joke had he been hosting the 2020 Oscars.

The comedian, who entertained Hollywood stars for the final time at the Golden Globes this year, is apparently watching the Oscars from home.

Twitter user @VBTheWise tweeted: "Question for @rickygervais Jf you were hosting the Oscars tonight, what’s your first best joke?"

Gervais responded: “I can’t wait to hear all your inspirational speeches about equality, and it’s great that the 3 hours you’re here tonight is the only time your badly paid migrant house staff will get some time off to sleep this week.”

This year's Oscars will be hostless for the second consecutive year, but a number of stars will present awards, including Mahershala Ali, Zazie Beetz, Timothée Chalamet, Penélope Cruz, Jane Fonda and Josh Gad.

Olivia Colman, whose performance in The Favourite won her the Best Actress Oscar in 2019, will present the award for Best Actor this year. Joaquin Phoenix is the favourite to win for his starring role in Todd Phillips' Joker.

Follow all of our Oscars coverage live here.

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