Justine Koh
Unlike the recent People’s Choice Awards which, let’s face it, don’t really count for anything since the winners are voted for by fans, the Golden Globes serves as a precursor to the Oscars, and is voted for by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
As British comedian and host Ricky Gervais said in his opening speech, the Golden Globes are “just like the Oscars but without all that esteem”.
But as the 2nd most anticipated film event of the year, the 69th annual Golden Globe Awards, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan 15, was still a night to remember. UrbanWire looks back at some of the most memorable moments.
Laura Dern’s surprising win over frontrunner Zooey Deschanel
Recently divorced Ashton Kutcher looked fittingly sour-faced as he and former supermodel Elle Macpherson presented the 2nd award of the night – for Best Actress in a TV Series Comedy or Musical. The win went to Dern, who plays a self-destructive executive in HBO’s Enlightened. This was her 3rd in 5 nominations, where she had previously won for her work in Afterburn and Recount. The 44-year-old beat out fan favourite Zooey Deschanel, who was nominated for her role as the cute and quirky Jess from New Girl.
Ricky Gervais’ playing it safe
Remember Gervais’ controversial turn as host last year when he publicly mocked Robert Downey Jr. for his infamous trips to rehab (“Many of you in this room probably know him best from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County jail.”), or when he poked fun at the Demi Moore-Ashton Kutcher relationship while introducing Moore’s ex-husband Bruce Willis as a presenter (“Please welcome Ashton Kutcher’s dad.”)?
Hosting the awards for the 3rd consecutive year, the comic seemed to tone things down and was considerably more reined-in, much to the disappointment of many. His over-hyped return met with lukewarm reception from critics as he delivered a performance that some have called underwhelming, with one writer from The Telegraph describing his act as “schoolyard stuff”. His gags included poking fun at Jodie Foster’s “beaver”, directing a ‘Like A Virgin’ joke Madonna’s way as well as goading the audience into laughing when he referenced Justin Bieber’s paternity case.
Although Gervais called this year’s hosting stint his favourite out of the 3, critics will be glad to hear that he’s vowed never to host the Golden Globes again. The Office creator wrote on his blog, “I’ve told my agent to never let me be persuaded to do it again though. It’s like a parachute jump. You can only really enjoy it in retrospect when you realise you didn’t die and it was quite an amazing thing to do.”
Uggie the canine superstar
While the Golden Globes was, without a doubt, a star-studded affair, it was a 9-year-old Jack Russell that ended up stealing the show. Uggie, the 4-legged co-star of French actor Jean Dujardin (who won Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for the silent film The Artist), tickled audiences when he posed with a Golden Globe during the red carpet event, even showing off skills like standing on his back paws and keeling over when ‘shot’ (one of the main tricks in the film). Oh, and did we mention Uggie can skateboard too? The critically-acclaimed The Artist was a big hit at the awards ceremony as well, sweeping up a total of 3 awards.
Madonna pisses off Elton John
Another much talked-about moment during the ceremony was when Madonna nabbed the award for Best Original Song for ‘Masterpiece’, beating out John. During the red carpet ceremony earlier, the Englishman had expressed his complete confidence in winning, claiming that Madonna stood no chance. When asked by host Carson Daly if those were “fighting words”, he’d answered, “No, those are accurate words.” No surprise that when the camera cut away during the Material Queen’s acceptance speech, John was looking none too pleased.
Peter Dinklage is a gentleman
A very well-deserved win for Best Supporting Actor in a TV series went to Dinklage, who plays Tyrion Lannister in HBO’s Game of Thrones, adapted from George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels. When the 1.35m actor picked up his award, he wrapped up his acceptance speech by giving a touching shout-out to a man who was badly injured in a “dwarf-tossing” incident last year.
“I want to mention a gentleman I’m thinking about in England,” said Dinklage. “His name is Martin Henderson – Google him.”
Henderson, a dwarf actor, had stepped outside a pub when he was picked up by an unknown man who dropped on the ground, causing him to land on his back.
Matt LeBlanc’s 1st-ever Golden Globe
Despite starring as the lovable Joey Tribbiani in 10 whole seasons of the Emmy-winning TV series Friends (and being nominated several times for his role), LeBlanc finally walked away with a Golden Globe – this time for his turn in Episodes,where he plays a more exaggerated version of himself. However, fans will be disappointed to know there won’t be a Friends movie, according to the actor in an interview with ABC News.
George Clooney and Brad Pitt’s bromance
Award shows are often opportunities for Hollywood royalty to flaunt their friendships, and buddies Clooney and Pitt were no exception. The 2 demonstrated just how close they were as they joked during the awards ceremony. Introducing a clip from Pitt’s film Moneyball, the Ocean Eleven’s star hobbled onstage with Pitt’s cane, and joked that he would have to “give it back to him [or] he can’t make it to the bar otherwise”, causing the crowd to giggle. Since taking a tumble down a hill while carrying his daughter, Vivienne, earlier this month, Pitt has been using the black cane.
Meryl Streep, the only person surprised about her win
Although Streep has been nominated countless times over the years, the veteran still looked genuinely dumbfounded when she won the award for Best Actress for her role as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. The flustered star swore after leaving her glasses at her table, telling the audience that she wouldn’t be able to read her speech. Of course, that didn’t mean she didn’t deliver one.
“Oh my God, oh my God… Well, when Ricky Gervais’ deal fell through and they came to me to play Margaret Thatcher… I can’t joke. This is such a thrill,” she gushed. She went on to thank her fellow nominees, her agent, and God, but was interrupted by the orchestra music that started to play, a hint for her to leave. She finished off her speech by saying, “I’m so proud of the film and I love you, Viola [Davis] (her co-star in Doubt and fellow category nominee whom Streep believed would win), you’re my girl.”
Photo credits to Celebutopia, thestar.com and graziadaily.co.uk
What did you think of the Golden Globes this year? Were there any shocking upsets or did you predict most of the wins? Tell us what you think!
Full list of winners for the 2012 Golden Globes:
Best Movie (Drama): The Descendants
Best Actor in a Movie (Drama): George Clooney, The Descendants
Best Movie (Comedy or Musical): The Artist
Best Actress in a Movie (Drama): Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Best Actor in a Movie (Comedy or Musical): Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Best TV Series (Comedy or Musical): Modern Family
Best Director: Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Best Supporting Actress in a Movie: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Best Actor in a TV Series (Comedy or Musical): Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Best Actress in a TV Series (Drama): Claire Danes, Homeland
Best Foreign Language Film: A Separation (Iran)
Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Best Screenplay: Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Best Animated Feature Film: The Adventures of Tintin
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Best Actress in a Movie (Comedy or Musical): Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie: Idris Elba, Luther
Best Original Song: ‘Masterpiece’ (Music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry), W.E.
Best Original Score: Ludovic Bource, The Artist
Best TV Series (Drama): HomelandBest Actor in a TV Series (Drama): Kelsey Grammer, Boss
Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred PierceBest Miniseries or TV Movie: Downton Abbey
Best Actress in a TV Series (Comedy or Musical): Laura Dern, Enlightened
Best Supporting Actor in a Movie: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
