Live blog: 2011 Golden Globe Awards
Ricky Gervais (Associated Press file photo)
7:00: Ricky Gervais has an undisclosed drink in hand and he’s opening with a disappointingly easy target: Charlie Sheen and his recent drunken antics. But now he’s getting onto to some better bull-eyes: He’s clearing up the reason why “The Tourist” got nominated: Apparently the Hollywood Foreign Press Association didn’t just nominate it to hang out with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. “They also accepted bribes.”
He’s also suggesting the best special effects Globe should go to the people who airbrushed the “Sex and the City 2″ poster. Now, he’s taking cracks at Hugh Hefner, Mel Gibson, certain famous Scientologists (yikes!), and the “Lost” finale. We’re less than five minutes in and he’s already been bleeped once, and I think these stars aren’t drunk enough yet for Ricky because most of the jokes got pretty icy responses from the star-studded crowd.
7:05: Scarlett Johansson, wearing tonight’s trend of pale sparkling gowns, is here to give out the first award, for best supporting actor in film. And I bet it’s going to Christian Bale. Here are the nominations:
Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, “The Fighter”; Michael Douglas, “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”; Andrew Garfield, “The Social Network”; Jeremy Renner, “The Town”; Geoffrey Rush, “The King’s Speech.”
Christian Bale (AP file)
7:07: Winner: Christian Bale, who is rocking some flowing locks tonight. He acknowledges that he never knew who the HFPA were before now – who does? – but he’s saying he now realizes how wise and perceptive they are. Love it. He’s thinking everyone very graciously but now he will. not. leave. Even the go-away music isn’t deterring him. LL COOL J may have to physically move him out of the way.
7:10: Here come LL COOL J and Julie Bowen to announce the first TV award, best actress in a drama series. Here are the noms:
Actress, Drama: Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”; Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”; Piper Perabo, “Covert Affairs”; Katey Sagal, “Sons of Anarchy”; Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer.”
Katey Sagal (AP file)
7:12: Winner: Katey Sagal of “Married With Children” fame comes out of nowhere to win for the FX biker series “Sons of Anarchy.” I did not see that one coming. She’s been around the biz for so long, and it’s great to see how excited she is to win. She’s thanking her husband, Kurt Sutter, who produces the show, saying “I’m so glad you’re the boss of me.” She got the go-away music even faster than Christian Bale, and she’s ignoring it nearly as effectively.
7:17: Julianne Moore, who looks stunning in her red gown with the incredible necklace, and Kevin Spacey are introducing Miss Golden Globe, Joe Mantegna’s daughter Tia, who will be assisting with the awards. Now they’re are presenting best mini-series or TV movie. Here are the options:
Miniseries or Movie: “Carlos,” Sundance Channel; “The Pacific,” HBO; “Pillars of the Earth,” Starz; “Temple Grandin,” HBO; “You Don’t Know Jack,” HBO.
7:20: Winner: “Carlos,” which tells the story of Venezuelan revolutionary Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, who founded a worldwide terrorist organization and raided the 1975 OPEC meeting. The producer representing the show keeps thanking the Academy, so either he doesn’t know the HFPA either or the language barrier is tripping him up. But ignoring the go-away music is universal here tonight. Well, in everyone’s defense it is being applied so inconsistently tonight, you can’t blame the winner.
7:22: Bruce Willis has a big grin and a good nature about getting stung by one of Ricky’s sharper barbs. He just introduced Bruce by listing a series of his less-respected films and then calling him “Ashton Kutcher’s dad.” Bruce is showing a clip from “RED,” which is nominated for the best musical or comedy film, but not before striking back with “Hollywood sometimes provides you with great fortune – Ricky.” Kids, that was a rare case of canned banter being used for good. It’s like sighting a Bengal tiger in the wild, it’s so rare.
7:24: The handsome Garrett Hedlund and cutie Leighton Meester of “Country Strong” are going to present best supporting actor in a TV series prize, right after Leighton subtly adjusts her tangled but cute long gown. Here are the noms:
Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Scott Caan, “Hawaii Five-O”; Chris Colfer, “Glee”; Chris Noth, “The Good Wife”; Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family”; David Strathairn, “Temple Grandin.”
Chris Colfer (AP file)
7:25: Winner: Chris Colfer, who is just shocked and so cute about it. “I think I lost my heart between Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore so if you find that, please give it back.” After thanking all the usual suspects, he’s dedicating his win “to all the amazing kids who watch our show who are told no by bullies and people at school, told they can’t be who they are. Well, screw that kids.” Well said. This may be the start of a huge night for “Glee.”
7:30: Golden Globe winner Michelle Pfeiffer still looks amazing, especially in that dark blue dress that brings out her eyes and flatters her coloring so well. She’s introducing the clip from “Alice in Wonderland,” another nominee for best musical or comedy film. That movie also won the Not-So-Obviously-Worst Movie award from the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle. So obviously, it’s not so obvious that Tim Burton’s “Alice” was disappointing. Apparently, it’s not obvious to the HFPA, whoever that is.
7:32: Ricky is introducing Eva Longoria, who will introduce the president of the mysterious HFPA, joking that he just had to haul the guy off the toilet and pop his teeth in. I don’t think the prez, Phil Berk, appreciated it because he just told Ricky the next time he wanted to qualify one of his movie, “Go to another guy.” He’s congratulating everyone else for being cool, essentially. This may be Ricky’s last stand as Golden Globes host.
7:34: Milla Jovovich, love her silver gown, and Kevin Bacon are going to present another TV award, for best actor in a drama. Here are the options:
Actor, Drama: Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”; Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”; Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”; Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”; Hugh Laurie, “House.”
Steve Buscemi (AP file)
Winner: Steve Buscemi gets his first Golden Globe for “Boardwalk Empire.” I love him so much and everyone else seems to as well. He’s thanking Table 114 for being a lot of fun and then putting on his glasses. “I gotta talk fast before that sad music comes on.” “I’m only as good as the people I work with, and I have an amazing cast.” That’s probably why so many people there love him. He’s thanking the usual suspects, and he’s commenting that his 4-year-old nephew left him a voicemail saying “Uncle Steve, wish me luck,” so he’s doing it. And he’s even a good uncle.
7:38: Moving right along, Kevin and Milla are now presenting the best TV drama award, which is probably an indication it’s going to go to “Boardwalk Empire.” Here are the noms:
Series, Drama: “Boardwalk Empire,” HBO; “Dexter,” Showtime; “The Good Wife,” CBS; “Mad Men,” AMC; “The Walking Dead,” AMC.
7:39: Winner: Yep, “Boardwalk Empire.” Exec producer Terence Winter sums it up: “Holy f-ing crap, we just won a Golden Globe.” Mark Wahlberg, another EP of this HBO powerhouse series, laughs when Winter comments “to my friends back home, I can’t believe I’m sharing a table with Al Pacino, either.”
I was rooting for “The Walking Dead,” but to be fair, I have yet to see “Boardwalk Empire.” Need to put that on the Netflix wish list.
7:41: They just showed a clip of Angelina Jolie adjusting Brad Pitt’s collar. Either the HFPA is really obsessed with them, or this is somebody’s way of showing us they are just another couple just like us. Now, they’re really not.
7:44: “The Social Network” star Andrew Garfield is introducing the montage of clips from the film, which is nominated for best drama film. The future “Spider-Man” is getting tangled in the prompter dialogue, and laughing it off charmingly. That was my favorite movie of the year.
7:46: Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Lopez are here to present, and Alec is taking a moment to point out her gorgeous white gown with the sheer and sequined wrap. It really is lovely. They are going to present the best original song prize, and I’m rooting for Oklahoma girl Carrie Underwood. Here are the noms:
Original Song: “Bound to You” (written by Samuel Dixon, Christina Aguilera, Sia Furler), “Burlesque”; “Coming Home” (written by Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey, Troy Verges), “Country Strong”; “I See the Light,” (written by Alan Menken, Glenn Slater), “Tangled”; “There’s a Place for Us” (written by Carrie Underwood, David Hodges, Hillary Lindsey), “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”; “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me,” (written by Diane Warren), “Burlesque.”
Diane Warren (AP file)
7:48: Winner: Aw, it’s Diane Warren for “You Haven’t See the Last of Me.” Darn it. It’s her first win in five nominations, so she seems really surprised and totally flustered. She’s thanking Cher for being “an eternal badass.” She’s dedicating the award to her mom and the late Roni Chasen, her publicist who was murdered last year. She also comments that the first time she was nominated her dad wrote her speech on a napkin and she didn’t win and has since lost the napkin.
I wish Carrie had won, and I’m not a big Diane Warren fan, but it was a disarmingly likeable speech, mostly because she seemed genuinely thrilled and nearly cried.
7:50: Moving right along, Alec and JLo are presenting best original score:
Original Score: Alexandre Desplat, “The King’s Speech”; Danny Elfman, “Alice in Wonderland”; A.R. Rahman, “127 Hours”; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, “The Social Network”; Hans Zimmer, “Inception.”
I’m disappointed that Daft Punk’s “Tron: Legacy” score is not among them, but I’m rooting for “Social Network.
Trent Reznor (AP file)
7:51: Winner: “The Social Network.” Wow, Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor cleans up nice. He looks quite happen in his tux, and he’s speaking on behalf of Ross when he thanks all the usual folks and comments he never imagined a year ago that he would have the chance to score a film.
He and Ross did a great job on “The Social Network,” and I’m stoked to hear what they come up with for “Social Network” director David Fincher’s adaptation of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”
7:56: “True Grit” breakout star Hailee Steinfeld and teen idol Justin Bieber have been paired to present the best animated feature award, which seems a little condescending. But she looks radiant, and he looks like a cutie now that he’s ditched the mongo glasses, and there are some great films competing here. But I think it’s another lock for Pixar:
Animated Film: “Toy Story 3,” “The Illusionist,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Despicable Me,” “Tangled.”
"Toy Story 3"
7:57: Hailee and Justin have huge grins as they announce that “Toy Story 3″ is the winner. Director Lee Unkrich asks “Wow, were you two even born when the first ‘Toy Story’ came out?” Lee started trying to just wing it and quickly stuck his foot in his mouth, so he’s breaking out the old index card. Good move. He’s thanking audiences “for coming out in record numbers to support an animated film that beat with a human heart.”
8:00: Ricky is introducing Robert Downey Jr. by his list of films including “Iron Man,” “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” and “Wonder Boys,” and then ponders “Are these porn films?” “But you know him better from such facilities as the Betty Ford Clinic and Los Angeles County Jail.” Robert gives Ricky a look and then comments that the tone of tonight’s show has been rather creepy and slightly sinister but good. And he’s adding to it, but telling the five women nominated for the best actress in a comedy or musical that he believes that an actress can’t do her best work until she’s slept with him, and ends a series of randy ramblings about each one with “I’d like to give it to all five of you at once, right here on center stage, in front of my wife and millions of viewers – the award.”
Wow, anyway, here are the options:
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, “The Kids Are All Right”; Julianne Moore, “The Kids Are All Right”; Anne Hathaway, “Love & Other Drugs”; Angelina Jolie, “The Tourist”; Emma Stone, “Easy A.”
Annette Bening (AP file)
8:04: Winner: Annette Bening, who apparently borrowed Bieber’s glasses right after a wombat attacked her hair. She’s being quite effusive in her thanks to co-star Julianne Moore, whom she beat out for the award. After thanking the rest of the cast and crew, along with her kids, she thanks the “winner of the 1962 Golden Globe for most promising actor, my husband Warren Beatty.” I noticed the string ensemble didn’t break out the get-off-the-stage music for her, even though she went on a bit. Maybe they’ve all ditched their bows and decided just to get a drink because these Hollywood types don’t know how to listen when they hear the go-away music.
8:10: Ricky has ditched the jacket and at least part of the snark as he introduces Sylvester Stallone. Maybe he’s just afraid Sly will hit him hard enough to kill him. The “Rocky” star still looks in great shape as he introduces the clip for best drama nominated film “The Fighter.” Great film.
8:12: Geoffrey Rush with jaunty hat and Tilda Swinton in her white blouse and skirt look like they planned their outfits to match. It’s cool. They’re going to present the best actor in a mini-series or TV movie, and I’m guessing if Al Pacino is nominated, he’s taking home the Globe.Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Idris Elba, “Luther”; Ian McShane, “Pillars of the Earth”; Al Pacino, “You Don’t Know Jack”; Dennis Quaid, “The Special Relationship”; Edgar Ramirez, “Carlos.”
Al Pacino (AP file)
8:13: Yep. Al wins, and the crowd gives him a standing O. “It’s such a special thing when an actor gets to portray a real person,” says Pacino, who played Jack Kevorkian in the telefilm. He said it was so interesting and fun to navigate the assisted-suicide advocate’s life. As he thanks the cast and crew, especially producer Barry Levinson, he also gives a nod to Kevorkian. I noticed as he was fretting over forgetting folks there was no go-away music. They wouldn’t dare do that to Al.
8:16: Now, Geoffrey and Tilda are going to present the Globe for best actress in a mini-series. Here are the options, and I’m going to say if Dame Judy is nominated, she’s going to win.
Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Hayley Atwell, “Pillars of the Earth”; Claire Danes, “Temple Grandin”; Judi Dench, “Return to Cranford”; Romola Garai, “Emma”; Jennifer Love Hewitt, “The Client List.”
Claire Danes (AP file)
8:17: I was so wrong. Winner: Claire Danes, who is wearing a gorgeous gown the exact color of Braum’s delicious Sicilian orange sherbet, and she’s nearly in tears because “It’s such an honor to be here tonight with Temple.” After giving a “holla” – literally – to the cast, crew, her family, et al, she takes a moment to pay poignant tribute to Grandin: “She’s still working with incredible zeal and devotion to illuminate mysteries about autism and animal behavior.” In the telefim. Claire plays Temple Grandin, an autistic woman who has become one of the top scientists in the humane livestock handling industry.
8:24: Zac Efron, who looks really grown up in his classy black suit with black tie, is introducing the clip montage for “The Kids Are All Right,” a nominee for best comedy or musical film.
8:25: Ricky is introducing Tina Fey and the “ungrateful” Steve Carell, the star of the U.S. version of “The Office,” the British show Ricky created. Steve shoves away Ricky with a hugely fake laugh and a “It never gets old.” They’re wryly telling us about the best screenplay nominees, which Tina would like us to know they could have written if they’d had time. Here are the options, go Aaron Sorkin!
Screenplay: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy, “127 Hours”; Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart Blumberg, “The Kids Are All Right”; Christopher Nolan, “Inception”; David Seidler, “The King’s Speech”; Aaron Sorkin, “The Social Network.”
Aaron Sorkin (AP file)
8:28: Yay for Aaron Sorkin, who is giving a speech worthy of an award-winning writer. He calls David Fincher a “national treasure.” He’s paying tribute to Mark Zuckerberg, noting that Rooney Mara’s character was wrong about the Facebook founder, and that he turned out to be a great entrepreneur and altruist. And he tells his daughter to look around at all the talented actresses and aspiring to become elite, which “is not a four-letter word. Smart girls have more fun.” I wouldn’t mind seeing a short film made of Sorkin’s speech. I want to be him when I grow up, or at least a 1/16th as talented.
8:30: Chris Hemsworth, who will soon be playing “Thor” (happy dance from me), and Chris Evans, who soon will be Captain America, are presenting the best supporting TV actress award.
Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Hope Davis, “The Special Relationship”; Jane Lynch, “Glee”; Kelly Macdonald, “Broadwalk Empire”; Julia Stiles, “Dexter”; Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family.”
Jane Lynch (AP file)
8:32: Gleeks rejoice: Jane Lynch wins and proceeds to give the most hilarious speech of the night. Lauding herself as “falsely humble,” she shares the award with “Glee” writer Ian Brennan, who created her Sue Sylvester character and is responsible for all the deranged and reprehensible things she says. So far, her speech and Sorkin’s are by far the most entertaining of the evening. Mostly, the show has been kind of dull with a few gags that were more appallingly inappropriate than genuinely funny.
8:37: He’s saying that the next presenters are young and thin and lovely to look at “which is just as well because they’re presenting the award for foreign language film, which no one in America cares about.” “Twilight” heartthrob Robert Pattinson looks handsome in his navy suit, and “Tron: Legacy” star Olivia Wilde looks terrific in a sparkly gown that looks like it’s been made out of derezzed programs and is at least as big as The Grid.
Here are the foreign language film options:
“Biutiful,” “The Concert,” “The Edge,” “I Am Love,” “In a Better World.”
8:39: Winner: Denmark’s “In a Better World.” The director, Susanne Bier, thanks people for supporting a film in which “people are talking like they have potatoes down their throats.” That is definitely the most intriguing thing anyone has said here tonight. I’m going to have to go and get that movie so I can see it and try to figure out what the heck she means by that.
8:41: The ever-awesome and beautiful Helen Mirren is showing off the clips of “The King’s Speech,” which is a fab film.
8:42: Blair Underwood and Vanessa Williams have arrived to present the award for best actress in a TV comedy or musical. Blair comments that they provided comedy in a year when it was greatly needed; is there ever a year when we don’t need laughter? Just a thought. Anyway, here are the noms:
Actress, Musical or Comedy: Toni Collette, “The United States of Tara”; Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”; Tina Fey, “30 Rock”; Laura Linney, “The Big C”; Lea Michele, “Glee.”
Laura Linney (AP file)
8:43: Winner: Laura Linney, who couldn’t be there tonight. Anticlimactic.
8:47: A standing ovation greets Jane Fonda, who is there to show the clips for “Burlesque,” which she is presenting on behalf of her friend Cher, who can’t be there because she’s in Vegas doing her standing gig. “Burlesque” is among this year’s controversial nominees for best comedy or musical.
8:48: “White Collar’s” Matt Bomer and “The Big Bang Theory’s” Kaley Cuoco are going to present the award for best actor in a TV comedy or musical, and I’m rooting for BBT’s Jim Parsons.
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”; Steve Carell, “The Office”; Thomas Jane, “Hung”; Matthew Morrison, “Glee”; Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory.”
Jim Parsons (AP file)
8:49: Yay: Jim Parson wins and Kaley is literally jumping up and down. Jim shows why he is so funny when he accidentally calls the writers “my writers,” “how crass. The truth comes out.” Jim hurriedly thanks everyone even though the go-away music makers are surely wasted and totally apathetic by now. He even remembered to say happy birthday to his nephew and apologize for not making his party. Sweet uncle.
8:51: With great drama, Jeremy Irons is introducing the supporting actress in film competitors. Go “The Fighter!”
Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, “The Fighter”; Helena Bonham Carter, “The King’s Speech”; Mila Kunis, “Black Swan”; Amy Adams, “The Fighter”; Jacki Weaver, “Animal Kingdom.”
Melissa Leo (AP file)
8:52: Awesome, the winner is Melissa Leo. “All that and kissed by Jeremy Irons, too!” she exclaims. She is gasping for breath and admit she almost didn’t take the role because she didn’t think she was old enough to play Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg’s mother. She thanks them very effusively and gives a shoutout to Amy and then notes “Look who they’re bringing up here tonight, Jane and Annette. Not too shabby.” It really great that Hollywood is recognizing great actresses actually over the age of 30.
8:59: Matt Damon has arrived to present the lifetime achievement award to Robert De Niro, joking that since he doesn’t go to movies much, he only heard about De Niro five years ago when he invited him to be in his movie “The Good Shepherd.” The ever-charming Matt adds some humor to the proceedings when he names some of De Niro’s most famous films but quotes other characters’ dialogue. Looking at this montage of De Niro’s work, the only question is why he hasn’t received this award before now.
Robert De Niro (AP file)
9:04: Wisely, Matt doesn’t try to follow that montage with any pithy comments, simply saying “Ladies and gentlemen, Robert De Niro,” allowing them to give a most deserved extended standing O. “Thank you, Matt, and I loved you in ‘The Fighter,’” De Niro quips, them comments that it will be his honor to present Matt his eventual lifetime achievement award. He’s thanking the HFPA for announcing the award two months ago “before you had the chance to review ‘Little Fockers.’ I saw those; it’s OK, we all have our jobs to do.” He’s commenting about the symbiotic relationship between the HFPA and the film industry: They make movies and the HFPA gets their pictures taken with the stars.
He’s tossing out jokes and getting bleeped and mentioning the movies that didn’t make it into the prestigious montage, noting “Most of you would be seeing them for the first time. You didn’t even watch the screeners, did you?” He jokes he’s going to be selling a special DVD box set that includes “Jacknife” in the lobby after he poses for pictures with the remaining members of the HFPA.
If such a thing were possible, I love De Niro even more now. Can he host the rest of the show instead of Ricky, who just isn’t as funny this year as I remember him from last year?
9:14: Megan Fox, dressed in a crazy pale pink gown, gets the thankless job of introducing the clip montage for “The Tourist.” Couldn’t happen to a nicer vixen. I guess Angelina and Johnny couldn’t be bothered even though they’re sitting right there and the HFPA went to all that trouble to nominate them.
9:15: Winner Annette Bening is going to present the best film director award, and I’m betting “The Social Network” continues its streak.
Director: Darren Aronofsky, “Black Swan”; David Fincher, “The Social Network”; Tom Hooper, “The King’s Speech”; Christopher Nolan, “Inception”; David O. Russell, “The Fighter.”
David Fincher (AP file)
9:16: Winner: David Fincher wins a well-deserved prize for “The Social Network.” He’s joking that like everyone else, he wondered how he would be suited for this film since he generally makes pitch-black films about misanthropes and the occasional serial killer film.” He says he’s loathe to acknowledge all the praise the movie has received for fear he will become addicted but “it’s been very nice.” And well deserved.
9:18: Jimmy Fallon and “Mad Men’s” January Jones, who is apparently wearing the scraps of some other star’s pretty red dress, are presenting the best TV comedy or musical series. I’m rooting for BBT.
Series, Musical or Comedy: “30 Rock,” NBC; “The Big Bang Theory,” CBS; “The Big C,” Showtime; “Glee,” Fox; “Modern Family,” ABC; “Nurse Jackie,” Showtime.
"Glee"
9:20: Winner: “Glee.” Bravo to creator Ian Brennan for thanking public schoolteachers. “You don’t get paid like it but you’re doing the most important work in America.”
9:24: Alicia Keyes looks amazing in a flowing red frock as she sends it to the clip montage from “Black Swan.” Mostly great, trippy film with lots of stellar performances.
9:25: Another lovely lady, Halle Berry, seizes the stage to give the award for best actor in a comedy or musical film. It’s a Johnny Depp vs. Johnny Depp category.
Actor, Musical or Comedy: Johnny Depp, “Alice in Wonderland”; Johnny Depp, “The Tourist”; Paul Giamatti, “Barney’s Version”; Jake Gyllenhaal, “Love and Other Drugs”; Kevin Spacey, “Casino Jack.”
Paul Giamatti (AP file)
9:26: Winner: The Johnnies cancel each other out, and it goes to Paul Giamatti. The censors immediately hold down the button, so he must have said something naughty. Paul notes he is “a little jacked up because he ate five boxes of Godiva chocolate. I’ve never seen so many Godiva chocolates and Halle Berry.” He’s noting he had three wives – “a trio of hotties” – and got to smoke and drink and get paid for it to make the movie. He’s paying tribute to “the great nation of Canada,” where “Barney’s Version” was filmed. I haven’t had the opportunity to see “Barney’s Version,” and I can’t wait to see it because I love Giamatti.
9:33: Joseph Gordon-Levitt is lavishing deserving praise on his award-worthy blockbuster “Inception.” I loved this film just a teeny-tiny bit less than “The Social Network,” but it is awesome.
9:34: It’s always good to see Jeff Bridges, who is going to present the best actress in a film drama award, and Natalie Portman is a lock.
Actress, Drama: Halle Berry, “Frankie and Alice”; Nicole Kidman, “Rabbit Hole”; Jennifer Lawrence, “Winter’s Bone”; Natalie Portman, “Black Swan”; Michelle Williams, “Blue Valentine.”
Natalie Portman (AP file)
9:35: Winner: Natalie, whose little baby bump is elegantly draped with a flowing pale pink gown, who says that the most meaningful part of the post-movie experience is getting to spend time with all these great actors and talents. She’s giving a shoutout to her Grandma Berniece and thanking her fiance, Benjamin Millepied, “Black Swan” choreographer who appears in the film saying he wouldn’t want to sleep with her character. “See, what a great actor. He totally wants to sleep with me,” she jokes before referring to Mila “Sweet Lips” Kunis and praising the rest of the cast.
9:39: Ricky is introducing the next two presenters by describing Tom Hanks in glowing terms and adding “and the other is Tim Allen.” The “Toy Story” stars recall when “Ricky Gervais was a slightly chubby but mostly nice comedian. Neither of which he is now.” They’re going to give out the prize for best comedy or musical film, and there may be five nominees but most of them don’t really count.
Picture, Musical or Comedy: “Alice in Wonderland,” “Burlesque,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “Red,” “The Tourist.”
"The Kids Are All Right"
9:41: Winner: “The Kids Are All Right.” And that producer is reeling off all the usual suspects at lightning speed because apparently the HFPA or NBC is cracking the ol’ whip to get this thing done on time. Loyal readers know my favorite kind of awards show is the one that ends on time, only because those that finish early don’t actually exist. If they ever did, they are now sleeping with the dodo birds.
9:46: Ricky is messing with America’s favorite girl next door as he introduces Sandra Bullock, who looks regal in her pink gown off-the-shoulder gown adorned with sparkles but whose unnaturally dark hair makes her look a bit brassy. She’s going to give the best actor in a film drama award, and all the candidates are so deserving. But I think it’s Colin’s year.
Actor, Drama: Jesse Eisenberg, “The Social Network”; Colin Firth, “The King’s Speech”; James Franco, “127 Hours”; Ryan Gosling, “Blue Valentine”; Mark Wahlberg, “The Fighter.”
Colin Firth (AP file)
9:48: Winner: Hurrah for Colin Firth. He’s wryly thanking the HFPA for giving him “I don’t know if you could call this gentle reassurance, but it’s the only thing keeping me from getting a Harley Davidson right now.” He thanks Geoffrey Rush and director Tom Hooper for forming with him a “triangle of man-love,” and he’s singling out Geoffrey Rush who is now “my true friend and geisha girl.” Another totally surreal but entertaining acceptance speech. Is the HFPA spiking these drinks with lighter fluid?
9:54: I don’t know if he qualifies as the “surprise guest” advertised since he walked the red carpet, but it’s great to see the cancer-free Michael Douglas, who gets a huge standing O. “There’s got to be an easier way to get a standing ovation. Thank you. I’m very, very happy to be here,” he comments. He’s giving the best drama film award; here are the options. I’m rooting for “The Social Network.”
Picture, Drama: “Black Swan,” “The Fighter,” “Inception,” “The King’s Speech,” “The Social Network.”
"The Social Network"
9:56: He barely gets the envelope open before he makes it official: The winner is “The Social Network.” Lots of hugs are going around, and producer Scott Rudin makes it a point to thank Mark Zuckerberg for allowing them to use his life as a metaphor for today’s world. He then gets onto Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield – “the left brain-right brain combination” of the film – for staying in their seats instead of raiding the stage.
9:59: Ricky Gervais is thanking everyone in the room for being sports. And then adds “Thank you to God for making me an atheist.” Good grief, like we haven’t heard that one before. The camera cuts away before we see if he gets struck by a bolt of lightning. Don’t worry, I doubt he’ll be back next year to host. He just wasn’t as funny this year.
Well, that’s the 2011 Golden Globe Awards. There weren’t too many surprises, except for how flat many of Ricky’s jokes fell, but there were lots of shiny dresses worn and lots of shiny trophies handed out.
It was great to see “The Social Network” so awarded, but it’s a bit scary to think that awards show season is just beginning.
But for now, good night and go see a good movie!
-BAM
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Comments
Martin,
No thanks on the offer to dissect the atheist line. My religious viewpoint has nothing to do with fact that line is old and tired; I actually found it quite funny the first 100 or so times I heard it. Tonight, it was just a lame toss-away in the last 30 seconds of a too-long awards show hosted by a normally funny guy who, to me, just seemed flat all night. And I think I made it pretty clear that my “good grief” was because I’d heard the joke before, which makes me wonder if you actually read or just reacted.
Since comedy is a highly subjective and rather mercurial form of entertainment, I’m not sure that there is such a person as “an appropriate judge” of it. But I probably wouldn’t claim to be one, even if I knew what you meant by that.
I’m just writing about the show as I perceive it; it’s a mix of facts (the nominees, winners, presenters, etc.) and my opinions (whether the winners are deserving and the material is funny), and I see no reason to get so hostile because we have differing opinions.
- BAM
P.S. Yes, I followed up one overused joke with another overused joke in criticizing the former. That’s irony, and some people find it funny.
Reading your blog I can see no reason why you should consider yourself an appropriate judge for what is and what is not funny.
Should I disect the atheist line and explain it or did your head shut off at the word atheist and immediately start praying for some reason?
Good grief.