Expect roasting, Ricky Gervais warns Golden Globe stars

LOS ANGELES - Ricky Gervais sure knows how to create award-winning comedies.

But can the co-creator of "The Office" make a success out of hosting the Golden Globes?

Three days before his first stint at hosting one of Hollywood's biggest awards, the wry British comic on Thursday warned the stars of stage and screen to expect a roasting at the black-tie ceremony in Beverly Hills.

Other than that, he was playing it decidedly cool.

"I am pretty calm, because I've got very low standards. I don't really care because they're not going to invite me back," he told TV reporters.

But he quipped: "Anyone who isn't concentrating (on Sunday), will get it."

Gervais claimed he had little prepared for the Golden Globes and would not be working to a script.

"All the stars will be in that room. It doesn't mean they are not going to get a roasting, but I admire them secretly," he said.

Gervais was also in Los Angeles to promote his latest TV venture -- an animated version of hit British radio podcasts featuring offbeat his unscripted chats with Stephen Merchant, with whom Gervais created "The Office," and fellow British wit Karl Pilkington.

Topics include 20th century inventions and philosophy as seen through the eyes of Pilkington, whom Gervais lauded as "moronic." Gervais said one topic included Pilkington's choice of his highlight of the year, which turned out to be "a grub eating a biscuit".

"I love Karl. He is a comedy genius, whether he knows it or not. It is just incredible. If it's an act he keeps it up 24/7," he said.

The 13-episode "The Ricky Gervais Show" will premiere on cable channel HBO on February 19.

The Golden Globes ceremony, which will hand out awards for the best movies, TV shows and performances for 2009 as chosen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, will be broadcast live on NBC on Sunday.