Tonight marked the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards, one of my favorite award shows, not only because the stars are able to drink during the show, usually adding an extra dimension to their speeches, but it also manages to combine the best of both film and television in the watchable span of 3 hours. In keeping with the curtailed premise, here’s a quick rundown of the highlights and lowlights of the evening.
1. Ricky Gervais hosts: Never one to shy away from controversy, tonight was no exception of the comedian’s “get over yourself” wit. While some of his jokes seemed to go a bit too far, I’m guessing there was some inner chuckling going on amongst the awkward silences and small boos. However, after commenting on having to help the President of the Hollywood Foreign Press, the group responsible for the awards, off the toilet and popping back in his teeth, I have a feeling he will not be asked back.
In case you missed it, here’s a perfect example of his jaw dropping jeering: “Also not nominated, I Love You Phillip Morris, with Ewan McGregor and Jim Carrey, two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay — the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists then.”
2. More crowded than a Black Friday sale: True, the stars get to sit at tables and eat and drink and be merry during the awards. Unfortunately this also means that winners have one last job to perform before accepting their award – find their way out of the maze and onto the stage. Whoever designed the seating chart this year should not place bets in Vegas; many of the winners ended up in tables way in the back, taking lengthy amounts of time to get to the stage only to be cut off by the orchestra halfway through their speeches. And what kind of weird world do we live in when Justin Bieber has a better seat than Al Pacino?!
3. And while we are on the subject of strange decisions of the people behind the scenes, who was directing this show? Talk about odd cut aways to stars that were not remotely related to the actor or project being celebrated on stage. If someone famous is reacting to something on stage, then by all means, let the audience see it. However, if the person looks bored, is talking to someone else, is chewing gum (ahem, Johnny Depp), looks utterly confused (Helena Bonham Carter) or has a name similar sounding to something someone says onstage (Claire Dane's "Holla" is not the same as "Halle" Berry, sorry), then by all means, keep the camera on the person talking. Also, was it really necessary to go directly to Jane Lynch when Annette Bening was awarded best actress for her portrayal of a lesbian? Tacky.
4. Bleeping out does not equal blindness. So a shocked Diane Warren mouthing "Oh shit" during her long walk to the podium does not need to be bleeped out. We can't hear her. Though thanks to you, we can be sure she said something bad with the rapid cut off of music, almost like an emphasis on the curse.
5. Presenters: Obviously there was a hope to sway younger audiences to watch with some of the presenters who would not be there otherwise (Megan Fox, Justin Bieber) but even youth could not bring life to some of the lame prompts given before the final reading of nominations. There were a few exceptions -- mainly in the form of Tina Fey and Steve Carell for best screenplay, and Robert Downey Jr. for best actress in a comedy. Also Michael Douglas, returning after his recent bout of throat cancer, jokingly referred to the applause of his peers by stating, "just gotta be an easier way to receive a standing ovation."
6. The speeches. The highlights for me - a. Melissa Leo -- for being so endearingly surprised and humble for winning, while still managing to get in a few funny quips. b. Chris Colfer -- also adorably clueless at the idea of winning, and not only adding humor but a touching "screw that" to bullies that tell kids they can't be who they are or do what they want to do.
c. Natalie Portman -- for calling her fiance and baby daddy the best actor in the world for playing a character in the film that says he would not sleep with her character. "It's not true, he totally wants to sleep with me!" d. Aaron Sorkin -- for telling his daughter to look around the room and note that "smart girls have more fun".
Overall, not a lot of surprises throughout the night (I mean, did you really think a movie like Burlesque could beat The Kids are All Right?) but still interesting enough to watch, if only to see if Ricky Gervais would be allowed to end the show (he was - though luckily no one seemed to be listening as he thanked God for making him an atheist).
I myself am thanking God that the SAG Awards are less than 2 weeks away, and Oscar nominations will come out January 25th for the Super Bowl of award shows, taking place on February 27th.
