Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais is catching flak for his anti-Irish joke aimed at actor Colin Farrell as he prepared to make his entrance at Sunday night's ceremony. We had dozens of calls to our offices all this week complaining.

Gervais, sipping a beer on stage was certainly up for mischief."The great thing about the Golden Globes is that it crushes prejudice and stereotypes." he began. "A particular stereotype is that Irishmen are drunk, hairy hell raisers. Now please welcome Colin Farrell.

Farrell did not look too pleased with the mocking introduction but let's face it he has been called worse, the 'Lusty Leprechaun' among other names.

The British actor had earlier thrown the same accusation at Mel Gibson, whose mother comes from Ireland. 'I like a drink as much as the next man, unless the man in Mel Gibson' he said.
Now some Irish were obviously deeply insulted.Others less so. Gervais has a cutting edge humor not often seen over here.

But in this case I can't really blame him.Just look at Irish actors who have become famous. Richard Harris, Peter O'Toole , Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Colin Farrell in his heyday.
Yes, drunkards all and proud of it too.

Of course Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson would be the exceptions but the Hollywood drunk Irishman is a stereotype --not without reason I'm afraid. Gervais was only stating the obvious.