Ricky Gervais Offers to Replace Eddie Murphy as Oscar Host

According to the Hollywood Reporter, comedian Ricky Gervais has offered to take over the job of hosting the 2012 Academy Awards.  As recently reported, Gervais is currently in talks with NBC to return as host of the 2012 Golden Globe Awards.  Yesterday, the comedian told Access Hollywood that he would be glad to step in for as host for the Oscar presentation as well. 

Gervais enthusiastically suggested the possibility that he would host at a discounted fee, joking, "A two for one offer. I can knock off 20 percent. Two for one deal. I'll just stay up there."

Regarding his hosting duties for the upcoming Golden Globe Awards, Gervais told the Hollywood Reporter,  "They haven't asked me officially yet, and I don't know whether I'd say yes. It's very tempting... [because] for three hours, I'm the most feared man in LA, so that's nice." Gervais was referring to his appearance at last year's Golden Globes in which he skewered some of the biggest names in Hollywood.

Comedian Eddie Murphy dropped out of his hosting duties for the Academy Awards yesterday following the resignation of producer Brett Ratner.  Brian Grazer will now step in to replace Ratner as the award show's producer.