Ricky Gervais suggests he should co-host the Oscars alongside celebrity which would 'cancel television'

Netflix must think we all need a bit more laughter in our lives with the way it's churning out comedy specials.

Ricky Gervais' Armageddon landed on the streaming platform on Christmas Day and another comedian is hot on his heels with his own show.

Although he doesn't appear scared of the competition, it seems Gervais is well aware of the old saying - keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

That's because the 62-year-old is seemingly looking to forge an alliance with his comic rival from across the pond who could roar past him on Netflix's rankings.

He suggested that him and Dave Chappelle - who has just dropped his 'freewheeling and unfiltered stand-up comedy special' The Dreamer on the streaming platform - should 'host the Oscars together'.

Gervais has already got experience thanks to earning the illustrious presenting gig at The Golden Globes a handful of times - although it's his jokes behind the podium in 2020 for his final hosting stint that everyone remembers.

Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Likewise, Chappelle isn't a hosting newbie either - as he can comfortably handle taking the reigns of the legendary US sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live.

The 50-year-old has already released six comedy specials - but his seventh, The Dreamer, focuses on his journey to stardom.

Chappelle has previously sparked controversy due to his jokes directed at the LGBTQ+ community during his 2021 special The Closer.

And Gervais' comedy special Armageddon received a similar reception due to one of his gags about terminally ill children - even prompting people to launch a petition to get Netflix to remove it from the hour-long show.

But the Derek star has shared his belief that he and Chappelle would be the perfect duo to present this year's Oscars in March.

Sharing a screenshot of the Netflix rankings showing Armageddon at number one and The Dreamer in second place, Gervais wrote in a post on X: "We should host the Oscars together."

X/Netflix

And some social media users were thrilled by the prospect, but others warned 'they'd end up cancelling television'.

One person said: "Would be the highest television audience in history. Aliens in distant galaxies tuning in."

Another wrote that they would 'actually watch the Oscars if you did'.

A third added: "It would be the most watched but then they would have to close it down."

And a fourth chimed in: "Oscars would go out with a bang. That would be the best TV ever."

Topics: Ricky Gervais, Celebrity, Oscars, TV and Film, Netflix

Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

@livburke_