The first tidbit of news about the upcoming awards blitz is a whopper. For the first time since 1995, the Golden Globe Awards will have a host.

And who have the powers at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and NBC, which airs the ceremony, tapped to fill such a prestigious position? The current crown prince of self-deprecating, ego-deflating humor, Ricky Gervais.

After John Laroquette and Janine Turner teamed up to co-host the Golden Globes in ’95, organizers decided that there was enough star power at the event to do away with a master of ceremonies.

But following a number of show-stopping appearances on awards shows over the past few years, a decision was made to approach Gervais about stepping into the role.

“Ricky is certainly one of the funniest people on the planet and has provided some of the most hilarious and memorable awards show moments in recent memory,” NBC exec Paul Telegdy said.

Gervais, who has been approached by numerous awards to host but always declined, decided to accept this one for a couple of reasons.

“I have resisted many other offers like this, but there are just some things you don’t turn down,” he explained.

The fact that attendees at the Golden Globes enjoy dinner and drinks during the evening didn’t hurt either. It’s always nicer to play to an audience who’ve had a couple of cocktails to loosen them up.

Nominations for the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards will be announced Dec. 15, with the ceremony taking place Jan. 17.

Tuesday, October 27
Josh Wolf, Loni Love and Jo Koy – “Chelsea Lately”
Florence & The Machine – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Tim McGraw, Gregg Allman – “The Jay Leno Show”
Julian Casablancas – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Artie Lange – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Morningwood – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

Wednesday, October 28
Carly Simon – NBC’s “Today” Show
Jen Kirkman, Randy and Jason Sklar – “Chelsea Lately”
Sting – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Rodrigo Y Gabriela – “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Uncle Kracker – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
“Weird Al” Yankovic – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Flyleaf – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Puddle Of Mudd – “Last Call with Carson Daly”

Thursday, October 29
Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw –“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Brad Wollack, Whitney Cummings and Chris Hardwick– “Chelsea Lately”
Weezer – “Late Show with David Letterman”
The Swell Season – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Mastodon – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Rod Stewart – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Moby – “Last Call with Carson Daly”

Friday, October 30
Rick Springfield –“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Mike Epps, Brad Wollack, Natasha Leggero and Ryan Stout – “Chelsea Lately”
Weezer, Brian Regan – “Late Show with David Letterman”
Fruit Bats – “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”
Alice In Chains – “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”
Andrew Bird – “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
Slipknot – “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
The Duke Spirit – “Last Call with Carson Daly”