Another Long and Distinguished Tradition

Ricky Gervais' hosting of the Golden Globes may or may not have landed him in hot water, depending on whom you ask or if you care. But the Lapham's Quarterly blog focused on something even more interesting than the temper tantrums of Hollywood moguls, as if that were possible. In a segment called Deja Vu, which brings "a historical perspective to the news," the blog ties Gervais' roast of his employers to ancient Roman poetry. The satirist Juvenal was supposedly exiled (which is implicitly likened to Gervais not being invited to host again) for his mockery of the king's favorite pantomime actor (which is implicitly likened to Gervais' mockery of Charlie Sheen). Here, apparently, is the offending verse:

What nobles cannot bestow, an actor will. Why bother
to appear in great patricians’ spacious reception-halls?
Prefects and tributes alike are appointed by ballet dancers.

Zing!