Gervais: 'Globes Like Oscars Without Esteem'

Golden Globe host Ricky Gervais used his opening monologue to poke fun at the awards saying they were "like the Oscars but without all that esteem".

In his third year as host, the controversial British comedian also took aim at Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber's paternity test.

But most of his gags were aimed at TV network NBC, which was screening the 69th annual awards.

After swigging a mouthful of beer on stage, he said: "So where was I? Nervous? Don't be. This isn't about you.

"Tonight, you get Britain's biggest comedian hosting the world's second biggest award show on America's third biggest network. Oh, sorry, fourth. It's fourth."

He added: "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 proven."

He said the event's organisers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, had warned him that if he insulted anyone in the audience he would "still be invited back next year".

The Office star then went on to praise nominated HBO series Boardwalk Empire.

"I love that show," he said.

"It's about a load of immigrants who came to America about 100 years ago, and they got involved in bribery and corruption and worked their way up into high society.

"But enough about the Hollywood Foreign Press."