LOS ANGELES (AP) - British comedian Ricky Gervais has been picked to host Hollywood's Golden Globe Awards show.

The 67th annual Globes will mark the first time since 1995 that the show has had a host. In recent years, the Globes have simply used a variety of celebrities to present the show's film and TV awards.

Globe organizers decided to do away with the host in the mid-1990s because they felt the show had enough star power with the celebrity presenters. But after Gervais made a hilarious appearance as a presenter at last season's Globes, the show's organizers decided to sign him up to emcee the ceremony on Jan. 17.

Gervais says he has resisted similar offers but that the Globes offer him a chance for free rein as a host.

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