Photo: Getty Images
At 8 p.m. last night, somewhere in the Beverly Hilton, Jennifer Lopez walked on stage and announced to a glittery room packed full of celebrities, “This is the Golden Globes! So let’s get right to the awards!” It was a strangely unceremonious way to commence the awards ceremony’s return from a two-year hiatus (it was canceled last year due to the writer's strike). But, hey! The Golden Globes are sort of like a rehearsal dinner for the Oscars -- the dress code and etiquette are lax, and the presenters rattle off the nominees’ names with an ennui only slightly rivaled by the winners themselves. Everybody seemed to be having a fun time, though! Like they were all in on this inside joke that only famous people can understand and we were just along for the ride. Or maybe it was just all the drinking they were doing… like Christina Hendricks, who had a bit of wine on her teeth when the cast of Mad Men came up to accept the best television drama series award.
Here are some more choice moments from this year’s incorrigible middle child of awards ceremonies:
> Slumdog Millionaire won everything! They nabbed five awards in total, including best picture, best director, best screenplay, and the presidency of the United States.
> 30 Rock didn’t do too bad, either, snatching up best actor and actress (Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey) and best comedy series. Also, this quote from Tracy Morgan’s acceptance speech on behalf of the entire show was hilarious: “Tina Fey and I had an agreement that if Barack Obama won, I would speak for the show from now on. Welcome to post-racial America! I am the face of post-racial America. Deal with it, Cate Blanchett!”
> Mickey Rourke -- whose role in The Wrestler closely resembles his bedraggled and tragic Hollywood career -- won for best actor and mumbled some things into the microphone that sounded raspy and profound. (Side note: Sean Penn didn’t even show for the ceremony, even though he was nominated for Milk. Penn, who has a history of not showing up to the event, also wasn’t present a few years back when he won for Mystic River.)
> Kate Winslet, who won both best actress and supporting actress, got plenty of time to practice crying in front of a live audience for when she inevitably wins an Oscar this year.
> Colin Farrell (above) won for best actor in a film (comedy/musical) for In Bruges, but still, the only performance we can think of when we see his handsome mug is in that poorly shot -- but impressively cast (wink wink) -- sex tape of his from a few years ago.
> Meryl Streep got plenty of time to practice her gracious loser smile, as she was upset not once, but twice, for the best actress award. She was nominated for the award in both comedy/musical and drama categories.
> Vicky Cristina Barcelona won for best picture (comedy/musical), despite its cast and crew’s noted absence from the ceremony itself. Awkwardly, Penelope Cruz was the only star present to accept the award on stage.
-- MIKE BERLIN
Previously > Golden Boys
Oh please, Colin Farrell (two L's) deserves to be remembered for more than a sex tape. In Bruges was a great movie, widely overlooked. Good for him.
Posted by: vampicorn | January 12, 2009 at 11:55 AM