Comedian Ricky Gervais emphatically rejected a fan’s suggestion that he host the 2026 Oscars, responding with a blunt “Fuck that!” on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The exchange occurred on March 15, 2026, after a fan account, The Ricky Gervais Clips, posted a message encouraging followers to “Repost if you wish @rickygervais was hosting the #Oscars tonight.” Gervais’s reply quickly gained attention, signaling his disinterest in taking on the role.
This isn’t the first time Gervais has addressed the possibility of hosting the Academy Awards. He has hosted the Golden Globe Awards five times – in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2020 – becoming known for his sharp wit and willingness to poke fun at Hollywood’s elite. His Globes hosting gigs often involved pointed jokes directed at celebrities in attendance, a style that set him apart from many of his contemporaries.
Last year, Gervais discussed his approach to hosting with Variety, explaining that his reputation for being a “brutal truth-teller” was, in part, a marketing tactic. “The marketing thing is that, ‘It’s live. He could say anything. Oh, my God. He’s brutal. Oh, he doesn’t care about anything.’ All those are untrue,” he said. “I write those jokes. I look at them from every angle. I produce sure they’re bulletproof.”
News of Gervais’s firm rejection comes just hours before the 98th Academy Awards are set to take place. The Oscars are a major event in the entertainment industry, drawing millions of viewers worldwide and celebrating the year’s best films.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Gervais in a post on RTL.nl, a Dutch news outlet, where he reiterated his lack of interest in hosting the Oscars.
In an interview with Infobae, Gervais further clarified his position, dismissing the idea with the same colorful language and a laughing emoji.
