Ricky Gervais doesn't hold back in his Golden Globes opener

Ricky Gervais, four-time host of the Golden Globes, opened up the 2016 award show with a series of racy jokes that had the audience crying with nervous laughter. In other words, there were a lot of moments when a star was shown on camera trying to pretend they weren't cracking up.

Gervais started off by making a joke about "El Chapo" (obviously), saying that "not even Sean Penn will find me ... snitch." Zing! We are all still trying to figure out how Sean Penn got an interview with the drug kingpin.

SEE ALSO: 2016 Golden Globe Awards red carpet arrivals

No, but seriously, Gervais insisted, "I'm going to be nice tonight -- I've changed. Not as much as Bruce Jenner."

That promise was hard to believe, though, as the comedian continued to reel off scathing jokes. After talking about Caitlyn Jenner's raising awareness for the transgender community he quipped that "She didn't do a lot for women drivers, though," clearly in reference to Jenner's fatal car crash on PCH. Awkward.

See inside the Golden Globes 2016 Awards:

Then Gervais segued into a joke about Jeffrey Tambor, star of "Transparent."

"He reminds me of my nan," he cracked.

Gervais continued his remarks by calling out film companies for paying for awards, Jennifer Lawrence and equal pay in Hollywood.

"Of course women should be paid the same as men for doing the same job," he insisted. "I'm getting paid the same as Tina and Amy did last year; I don't care that there are two of them -- they wanted to split it!"

Naturally, the Hollywood Foreign Press was fair game, as well. Gervais told the roomful of eager nominees that their awards are "worthless," which meant something because, well, he has four Golden Globes himself.

"[The HFA is just] confused journalists wanted to give you in person so they could meet you and have a selfie with you."

And, with that, let the show begin!

See all of the Golden Globes red carpet arrivals:

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