Golden Globes continue the tradition

award show review

Golden Globes entertains audiences

Erika Wilkins

Spectrum Editor

On Sunday, January 17, E! Entertainment and the like bravely endured a rainy California evening to await the arrival of who the show’s host has deemed the most important people on the planet: actors. Despite the undesirable conditions, NBC and The Hollywood Foreign Press Association trekked forward and hosted the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards; which as always exceeded the standard of most all other award shows of the like. The night continued the tradition of a celebration of craft.

Now sure, to everyone who isn’t interested in an evening full of serious films made by esteemed film-makers who cast critically acclaimed actors, the Globes might seem as interesting as drying paint. For said audience NBC presented (at its own expense) Ricky Gervais. “The Office” original star and creator opened the show with an appropriately timed bit of hilarity that managed to entertain the audience without offending it. After a few short jabs at the always amiable Steve Carell, everyone’s cosmetic surgeon and Angelina Jolie the show set into a groove of surprise wins and emotional acceptance speeches.

Arguably the most impassioned speech of the night was given by Best Supporting Actress (in a Motion Picture) winner Mo’nique. The plus-sized beauty took the stage in tears and addressed God, her costars and her peers, effectively silencing onlookers. The night’s succeeding speeches from Best Actress winners Drew Barrymore and Meryl Streep followed suit, in teary eyed appreciation.

It wasn’t until James Cameron accepted his Best Director (“Avatar”) honor that the night took a different turn. Informing viewers that he had to “pee something fierce,” the two-time Golden Globe winner set sail to more hijinks. The antics only continued as the night’s host knocked back a few too many beers and began poking fun at both the controversial Mel Gibson and Sir Paul McCartney’s recent and very public divorce. As always, Robert Downey Jr. contributed to the playfulness, declaring, “If you start playing violins, I will tear this joint apart.”  The night ended without a penis joke in sight.

Now, the public will have to wait and see to if “Avatar” will sweep the Oscars as it did the Globes.

And the winners are …

Cecil B. DeMille Award: Martin Scorsese

Best Motion Picture – Drama: “Avatar”

Best Motion Picture – Comedy: “The Hangover”

Best Animated Feature Film: “Up”

Best Director: James Cameron

Best Television Series – Drama: “Mad Men”

Best Television Series – Comedy: “Glee”