By Adam Spunberg

So often, the Golden Globes has seemed like Oscar’s irrelevant little brother (and an annoying, pesky, although very inebriated one at that). Many film enthusiasts watch the proceedings just to predict Oscar nominations, without giving serious consideration to its awards or the voters. In fact, most people have no idea who or what the Hollywood Foreign Press is.

The thing is, the Oscars have been slumping of late. Nominations have been increasingly tailored to artsy, indie, niche films that while all deserving, lack the glitz to appeal to an actively superficial public. Who wore what on the Red Carpet can be summed up, critiqued, investigated, castigated, and then regurgitated for the next six months on E!. No need to actually watch the show for that.

The Academy is well aware of this trend, and that’s why its architects are taking monumental strides to change the nature of the presentation. Gone is the five-nominee Best Picture, replaced by a ten-film escapade with first, second, and third place voting. The elongated features that used to make the show convolutedly unique have been scrapped for shorter, attention-pleasing spots. America has a massive case of ADD, and there just isn’t enough Ritalin to go around.

Let’s congratulate the Golden Globes, then, on making a spectacular choice for this year’s awards, selecting the multi-talented Ricky Gervais for a host. Gervais has a dark, intellectual sort of humor, which manages to appeal to the masses while also tickling the stuffiness of higher viewers. He has a startling ability to mock the people who love him, yet win their praise at the same time. Perhaps he’s found a vein into the one humble quality collective society has left: the refreshing ability to laugh at oneself.

I expect Gervais to make this year’s Golden Globes exponentially more interesting. You know he’s good for several uproarious laughs, a healthy dose of cynicism, and even a few moral condemnations. Could Gervais be the new friend that turns Oscar into the once-famous older brother who now resides embarrassingly in his sibling’s shadow? (See Dillon, Matt).

More importantly, how will the Academy respond? I don’t know if bringing back Billy Crystal for the zillionth time will do it (nor would he want to yet again). Hugh Jackman was a nice touch last year as a break from tradition. I say find another intriguing type, like Ricky Gervais.

Oh wait…little brother already got him. Big Brother will be observing with envious eyes.