Tuning In to TV

New Globes host

British comedian Ricky Gervais has been tapped to host Hollywood’s Golden Globe Awards show.

The 67th annual Globes will mark the first time since 1995 that the show has had a host, Associated Press reports. In recent years, the Globes have simply used a variety of celebrities to present the show’s film and TV awards.

Globe organizers decided to do away with the host in the mid-1990s because they felt the show had enough star power with the celebrity presenters. But after Mr. Gervais made a hilarious appearance as a presenter at last season’s Globes, the show’s organizers decided to sign him up to emcee the ceremony on Jan. 17 from the Beverly Hilton.

Mr. Gervais, who co-created the BBC version of “The Office,”is currently appearing in the feature film “The Invention of Lying.” His next film, “Cemetery Junction,” will be released in April.

Early returns

NBC has picked up three shows for full-season orders, says TVWeek.com, citing a report from the Los Angeles Times’ Company Town blog.

The shows are the Thursday night sitcoms “Community” and “Parks and Recreation,” and the Wednesday night medical drama “Mercy.”

Halloween watch

Halloween specials on tap for Tuesday:

• Modern Marvels (8 p.m., the History Channel) — Here’s a scary figure: The annual observation of Halloween has become a $6 billion business. At least one part of the celebration is examined here with a behind-the-scenes look at the annual Halloween Haunt at Knotts Berry Farm in California’s Orange County. Also featured: a segment on the making of Hollywood-caliber monster makeup (and a lesson on applying it), plus a look at this year’s hottest Halloween costumes.

• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown ( 8 p.m., ABC) — Like its predecessor, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” this also boasts a delightful score by Vince Guaraldi and has also withstood the test of time. Originally presented in 1966, the Emmy-nominated special centers on Linus as he sits in a pumpkin patch hoping for a long-awaited visit from the Great Pumpkin.

• Compiled by Robyn-Denise Yourse from staff, Web and wire reports