I bypassed the show then looked up the award winners online when it was over. I was delighted that Green Book, dismissed by Times film critics Scott and Dargis was recognized with three awards. I have not seen Bohemian Rhapsody but thought that the latest A Star Is Born was interesting mainly for Lady Gaga's performance.The movie itself was interesting in fits and starts but for me it seemed mostly a vanity project for Bradley Cooper who brought out the most maudlin aspects of a story that was far better handled by the 1937 and '54 versions. Carol Burnett's gracious acceptance speech was a highlight. Her brand of brilliant comedic talent is sorely missing in this 21st Century TV era. Just a small sampling of You Tube videos of segments from her shows attest to that. I'd love to see Green Book nab several Oscars just to put into focus how pretentious Scott and Dargis present themselves sometimes. I normally like both their work but they don't speak for all NY Times readers who love film.
Unpopular opinion: I hated Bohemian Rhapsody. Rami Malek was good, but his voice is "blended" with others. At least Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper actually sang in A Star is Born. Bohemian Rhapsody relied too heavily on Queen's music to draw people in rather than writing a good script. I do not think it did the story of Queen and Freddie justice.
Blackkklansman should have won Best Drama. Out of everything I have seen this year, that was the most relevant and well told true story. If you haven't seen it yet, you should. I hope the Academy does not make the same mistake.
5
Nobody watches these self absorbed, phony, terminally liberal awards shows anymore.. And then the electronic news/talk shows report it as if they do.. This show was lead in by the highest rated NFL game NBC broadcast this season and fewer people watched the Globes than last year.... What a self serving joke of who cares..
3
I was glad "Green Book" won best comedy/musical-despite the criticism against it.
Everyone who can, should see "Capernaum-" again, despite criticism that it is "poverty porn."
Congrats to Sandra Oh. I think about Sideways and Cat Fight and Hard Candy, independents where she was very entertaining and scene stealing.
2
Here's my take. Gaga got put back in her place as a singer not an actress. She really thought she had that award sewn up and then in trots an educated, experienced actress who has won it all in her career. Also, what will anyone remember from "Star" but the romance stuff while "We are the Champion" will always be sung by large enthusiastic crowds of people. The millennial crowd got put back in its place.
5
@Betsy Herring So are Millennials ruining film too, now? Gaga's performance was brilliant, as was Close's. Both are very talented.
2
Jeff Bridges May not be as main stream as Oprah, why should he be. His message in case anyone missed it stemming from a concept from buckminster Fuller was everyone can make a difference, and we are all responsible to play our part. Satisfied ?
10
It isn't worth watching unless Ricky Gervais is hosting. But unfortunately, the thin-skinned Hollywood celebrities won't let that happen.
5
Where was "The Rider"? It won Best Film at no less than 20 film festivals, and it's one of the most moving films of all time, in my opinion. What don't I understand here?
8
How fortunate we are to have all these wonderful people enlightening the World with their profound (and tearful) philosophical speeches. What would society look like without their oh! so significant contribution to the luminous development of humanity? Could it be though that in the end it is all about “filling-my-bank-account-thanks”...??
2
Am I the only person who found Peter Farrelly extremely annoying? Boring blah blah blah, cliched speech. "I wanna thank, I wanna thank..."Then, as he rambled on, he scolded the music: "Turn that off...Go away!"
"If they can find common ground,” said Farrelly, who also wrote and exec produced the film, “we all can. All we have to do is talk and to not judge people by their differences, but to look for what we have in common. We have a lot in common” He concluded that we all desire “love, happiness and to be treated equally.”
Tell that to tRump.
Plus "The Green Book" was mediocre at best. Good acting but tried too hard to be a crowd pleaser without showing real depth along with humor.
1
Good God, the comment section reminds me of when I volunteered in a nursing home.
9
Are you kidding me? It was a very funny Globes. Maybe the funniest. And almost all the wins were very well deserved and followed by mostly winning acceptance speeches.
Jeff Bridges was one of the most wonderful, and Michael Douglas, and Alfonso Cuaron winning twice, and thanking Mexico!
And oh, Samberg and Oh were perfect and should be
praised and invited back.
9
I thought the hosts were very unfunny. And Jeff Bridges speech sounded very familiar. I realized I had heard the exact same thing on Bill Maher a few months ago. Trim-tab, indeed.
2
On the Oscars - yes, I said it, the Oscars - clearly a lot of high-level executives got together and decided to create a way for Kevin Hart to host the Oscars. Get Ellen, Don Lemon etc to back him. What I don't know any of them get is that WE UNDERSTAND YOU ARE PLAYING US. THE PUBLIC IS GETTING PLAYED.
Hire Kevin Hart. Don't hire Kevin Hart.
Just don't treat the world like it is filled with 4-year olds.
2
Congratulations to Sandra Oh and Richard Madden on winning Golden Globes for their performances. Both Sandra in Killing Eve and Richard Madden in Bodyguard surprised me in these dramas, which were full of nailbiting suspense. Sandra finally found a drama that was worthy of her gumption. It was Richard Madden's performance in Bodyguard that convinced me to watch (and pay attention to) HBO's Game of Thrones. Not a fan of Lady Gaga's muchness, or the matchy-matchy hair but she is respected as an artist and I am glad she won for best original song. This is her second Golden Globe so I think her stans should take a seat in back. She was robbed of nothing.
6
@Mekado Murphy; "Bridges was a bit Dude-like in his inability to really make a point." Really? Did you even really listen to the end of his timely and yes, "inspirational" (Bucky Fuller referenced) speech? Or did you just not get it? Jeff Bridges … well, did.
12
Why do we treat awards shows as if they mattered?
17
HFPA is 88 voting members? No wonder some of the selections are bizarre.
A boring night. And Josette, below, you're right. I don't have to watch. I think my 'season' of 3+ hour awards shows is behind this viewer.
Time is too precious. And articles & highlights are good enough.
(Even cut nearly in half due to DVRing, why get carpal tunnel with all the fast forwarding?)
And yes, gotta toss this in, a win is a win, even if it comes at the very end: finally, some love for "The Americans." Yay!
2
The comedy was so weak; one step above knock-knock jokes.
8
Here's my point: If you don't like an awards show-- don't watch it. It's simple. Turn it off and do something else. Catch the reviews the next day. They're often more clever than the show itself.
16
I prefer the SAG awards since this is the actors voting for who, they themselves, believe deserves congratulations.
The Oscars tend to be too "wealthy and white" although they may have seen the light recently?
The GG are sincere in many circumstances because the HFPA seems like a fair and honest group but the SAG is actors talking within their industry to one another versus an outside agency talking to the public about actors. Maybe I'm wrong but SAG is my preference of all the January awards.
4
Somebody does not know the difference between "sublimate" and "subordinate". Was it Glenn Close, or was it the reporter, Kyle Buchanan? If the latter, he owes us a correction.
2
I absolutely loved "Bohemian Rhapsody", as did everyone I spoke to. It had soaring highs and an emotional heft that was surprising. That it top honors is simply marvelous, darlings! Long live Queen!
19
I tuned in during Patricia Arquette's long acceptance speech thanking every crew member involved in the show, it seemed. Got through that, and then the hosts unveiled the idiotic stunt of sending out a group of medical folks to administer flu shots to the actors. Yeah, no thank you. Why has this become a thing in the past few years, to pull some foolish prank? Group selfies, PBJ sandwiches, busloads of tourists traipsing through. It feels very desperate. I turned the tv off and figured I'd just wait until today to see who won the awards.
16
@Mary Owens Ms Arquette was still in character.
1
Loved loved loved the Buckminster Fuller reference, and who but the Dude would call him Bucky? Kudos to Glenn Close, Regina King, Carol Burnett, wonderful speeches all around, but Jeff Bridges was glorious.
28
Agreed, Jeff bridges gave a marvelous and inspirational stream of consciousness Zen speech. As for 'Bucky' one can refer to Buckyballs, also known as Buckminsterfullerene, named for this brilliant man.
9
@Nancy Lederman My dad worked here years ago, and we'd drive by this iteration of the geodesic dome a lot.
http://news.fnal.gov/2016/11/raising-roof-story-geodesic-dome/
1
What a delightful collaboration of thoughts. I watched most of the show and I agree with everyone who wrote of the most poignant moments and people.
3
Award shows are like if, in high school, the popular kids invited the "nerds" to a party in which they bragged about how amazing they were. Shocked people still gawk over this stuff.
7
So happy that Bohemian Rhapsody won best picture and Glenn Close won best actress. I may be the only person in the world who didn't like A Star is Born, but I really didn't think Gaga was much of an actress. Her best scene was at the beginning when she sang La Vie en Rose. I sincerely hope the same thing happens at the Oscars.
29
@Teddy Wright That makes two of us.
3
@Denise Bukowski The three of us now. Not really a big fan of A Star is Born. Also, me never liking Lady Gaga didn't help much i guess
1
@Teddy
I did not even watch "Star" since I don't care for Gaga.
.....Please bring back Rickie Gervais!
Not a terrible show but really pretty dull. While there’s all kinds of pressure in presenting a live show, surely a return to some genuine irreverence livens the assured blandness of presenter/receiver format.
28
@MacGregor
Totally agree with this! Ricky Gervais has genuine talent and comedic charisma. The opening segment of the show was absolutely horrible to the point of embarrassment. Andy Samberg should just go away.
Sorry, but after a few minutes of it I fast forwarded past Sandra O's poignancy.
7
The worst part were the hosts.
Let me be clear, I don't blame them, but their awful "comedy routines" were a product of writers who know they are writing for a room of very sensitive millionaires who can't stand the thought of being a punchline. Gervais opened peoples eyes a bit with his ruthlessness but he will never be back because that room of people have zero sense of humor about themselves. That's how serious these people take themselves. These people that play dress up and stand in front of a green screen think they are above being joked about because they are so very woke and moral, and the people who don't like their movies are so very not. That hosting job is what mainstream comedy looks like now. Nobody was really laughing because it was comedy without a target, because in woke comedy the only acceptable target is the white men and they can't do that all night.
34
@Tom
On point!
3
Mostly underwhelmed by opening but I did love Sandra Oh's parents, after Oh's shrug to Chinese mothers' reaction to Crazy Rich Asians earning $100M there was her mother, deadpan. Then her father's leaping up on her win so a shout out to Richard Madden's win for Bodyguard mentioning his parents flew in from Scotland. No camera on them, unfortunately. That was my favorite win, a brilliant job playing a tightly wound character.
Thank you to Chuck Lorre for for explaining aging properly in The Kominsky Method. Just sorry Alan Arkin didn't win, he's the glue of that show, no diss on MD who's excellent and he'd be the first to admit it. But the wins guarantee it's return.
Carol Burnett was her usual perfect self.
23
@Kathy, could not agree more on Alan Arkin. He carries the show because his character has depth and dignity. Great actor. Maybe too subtle for those judging?
Loved Richard Madden in “The Bodyguard,” too. I was charmed by his warm, genuine acceptance speech.
10
I'm not sure why every keeps saying that A Star Is Born was snubbed. I saw the movie and it wasn't that good. The earlier versions were much better. Bradley Cooper bored me and the whole movie dragged.
37
Jeff Bridges' speech was the only authentic moment of the whole ceremony. What's he saying is that we all matter and should work to steer the ship of culture to create love and repair the environment. It was raw and beautiful, and so it doesn't surprise me that a NYT reviewer would fail to see its significance.
65
I agree. After watching it, you heard him thank his family, coworkers, etc. and then issue a “call to action” of sorts among his Hollywood peers. “Be the trim-tab!”
It was coherent, although he didn’t necessarily let you know what he was setting up until the absolute end. And unlike the overt political nature of so many of the comments, his Dudeness told a story to send a message. Particulars, call outs, name dropping does not matter. Using this life we have and DOING is what matters.
31
I loved it too. Sure, a bit rambling, but completely soulful and anything but pointless. He was sharing ideas about navigating life. It helps a lot to know about trim tabs, and "Tag! You're it!" was a joyous reminder to keep at it.
27
Sandra Oh has been a standout since “Sideways”. She is a major talent now. Love her!
29
I missed this. I regret that I can't miss it twice.
16
On the west coast you could have- it was repeated.
2
Sandra Oh is ethnically Asian, of Korean ancestry, but she is thoroughly Canadian. Jeff Bridges was a blast. (Sorry, not everything must be loaded with social commentary. I liked the cuff links, too! And what a magnificently-edited montage to set up his speech!) And The Americans? What on Earth took so long?! Sheesh...!
25
I would have one of those people (maybe the only one) who puts a napkin over their face to avoid the flu shots. Don't like injections, don't think they work well.
3
@maxcornise Vaccines are extremely important and save lives. Please don’t rely upon herd immunity, get vaccinated.
11
@Jersey G
The flu vaccination doesn't create immunity, or it wouldn't be an annual inoculation/mist...every year's predicted choice may be a different strain(s) from the previous year; the wrong strain is often chosen, but stockholders and the pharm suppliers can still cry all of the way to the bank.
2
Why oh why do Oh and so many others have to wear necklines down to their navels or full skirts cut up to their crotches? If the guys did it, maybe that would be exciting for some folks. But let's get real women and stop pushing ourselves as sexualized goddesses for these annual parades.
64
What about the most gracious acceptance speech from Mahersala Ali? His respect for the man he was portraying (and of course, this is a fiction and can never be true to life) and consideration of his colleagues got things off on a very gratifying start. No me me me there.
38
@Ms D - Just so you know, the film was based on a true story; it is not one of fiction.
10
Dr Shirley’s family would beg to differ.
1
The introduction was very boring and most were waiting for the boring nice stereotypical comedy to end. The hosts should not be brought back. By the way the show did not recognize Lady Gaga who starred in a much better film then was recognized, This show gave awards to elderly actors like Michael Douglas and this really made the entire show looked fixed. The film on Queen was an average film and do not know why it received any awards. Better luck next year .
10
The Reviews of the Times reporters, were, collectively, more boring than the events they described.....
21
Jeff Bridge's speech was warm, imaginative, and contained a message of personal responsibility and hope. Naturally, whoever wrote this snarky NYT piece wouldn't recognize that, because they are disabled in decency.
39
The show was a train wreck. Sandra Oh’s masturbation joke was in poor taste for a network and was insulting to the three presenters. Plus Andy Samburg isn’t funny. Where’s Mrs. Masial when you need her?
21
@Robert Smith, ugh, I forgot about that awful joke (no thanks for reminding me, fella). You could almost hear the stinker fall flat, with a splat. Sandra Oh seemed to regret saying it even as she said it. Certainly a low point.
10
Catherine Zeta-Jones didn't let co-presenter Antonio Banderas get two words out of his mouth. Always interesting to see how two presenters work together...Poehler and Rudolph were fabulous, fun, and generous. Banderas was chivalrous and Zeta-Jones was an attention-hog. I think they reveal more of themselves than they realize.
20
@Anglican There is a director, you know. She spoke her lines and he his.
1
Who is Adam Samberg?
And am I the only person who doesn't think Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph are funny?
17
@cb yes, you are and its Andy Samberg but this routine fell flat.
18
Why do people think "A Star is Born" is any good?
29
@Atlanta I've always hated the story, but loved the people who are in all three of them. They should change the title to "A Store Is Burnt".
6
@Atlanta
They remember James Mason and Judy Garland.
9
@MaxCornise
All four of them.
3
Lady Gaga no more deserved a win for her performance than I do a Nobel Peace Prize for breaking up a fight between my two cats 3 days ago.
Glenn Close's win was deserved, warranted, and perfect. If Gaga's career should mature and move forward, perhaps she can take some acting lessons and win one day. Let's be honest -- she's a far cry from Barbra Streisand, and as this was her first outing, wasn't worthy of a Golden Globe on any rotating planet.
63
It was so boring I kept picking up the remote and ended up watching NCIS LA. Not a good night.
9
@Julia
I can top that! I switched to TCM which was showing Bette Davis in "The Letter".
10
So the Times didn't like Jeff Bridges comments after receiving his Lifetime achievement award... He spoke of his devotion to his wife and their long marriage. Didn't get political. No call outs to the LGBT community, Barrack Obama, #MeToo or Trump bashing and hysterics.
That's what most Americans liked about his speech.
65
@Kerby I think it was the rambling they were mostly complaining about.
10
Yes, his speech was a highlight. Odd criticism by The Times.
20
@Alexander S
I agree. I kept thinking, he knew he was winning this award—why didn’t he plan out what he wanted to say?
In the end, it was some impromptu jumble about being nice because we’re...alive.
I have to admit, it was still fun to watch him receive the award.
5
I also agree that Jeff Bridges speech was great. The best thing about the show. Thank the Gods for Jeff Bridges.
60
Awards shows are fun and shouldn't be taken too seriously. Jeff Bridges gave a terrific, trippy, telling acceptance speech. It was filled with little quirky vignettes and personal tidbits.
I enjoyed every minute of his speech and so did the audience at the GGs, and, based on social media, so did the rest of the country. What acceptance speech was this columnist watching?
As for Lady Gaga, can we please just forget her chances? She can't act. She wasn't believable as a singer, which is truly obvious irony. She's not going to win the Oscar for best actress. She has about as much understanding of drama as a kitten taking a nap.
And taking a nap would have been preferable to having to sit through "A Star is Born." After the first hour, which wasn't bad, the whole enterprise went kerplooey.
In the closing dreary 90-minutes, all of which went by with nothing original being said, sung, or done, director Bradley Cooper concentrated too much on Gaga's dull character and not enough on the more interesting character he was playing.
The screenplay was a pale imitation of the other three A Star Is Born films and the actual original, What Price Hollywood?
The five best movies of the year, in alphabetical order, are Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Free Solo, If Beale Street Could Talk, Roma, and The Wife. Glenn Close has earned her Oscar.
25
@Jason Bennett, have you seen the (short video) parody of “Free Solo,” called “Expensive Membership”? Highly recommended. Even by Alex Honnold himself.
Yep, the comments in support of Jeff Bridges caused me to watch his acceptance speech. Classy guy! I liked that he was wearing his dad’s cuff links...
51
No love for "Roma" or Alfonso Cuaron?? Or did I miss that part in the article??
8
@John
This is not a general reporting article about the GGs. It's an article about one columnist's highlights. It clearly says: "Best and Worst." How did you miss that? The general reporting article is there, just click on it.
5
@John
The magnificent "Roma" won best foreign film and best director.
11
And everyone of the foreign films were better than the Hollywood winners. Best film, Bohemian Rhapsody, really?
5
bored to tears
12
Maybe some people take these awards shows too seriously.
Everyone I know....granted....mostly women....watches to see the fashions and the makeup and how the actresses of all ages look. A vapid goal, yes.....but that's why they all watch. The men all look the same, mostly in their fashion choices.....so that's kind of boring. Although Darren's jacket was cool.
Nobody wants to sit and watch for over 3 hours just to see who wins unless there is some visual fun to it. The average viewer --- meaning millions of at-home viewers....and internationally..... does not care care at all about those long "thank you" lists.
And, as far as the hosts. I think they were fine. Not every scripted line will hit, but they were fine. They are not supposed to be the stars of the show, right?
Lady GaGa may still win an Oscar.....but winning for a remake.....a huge hurdle...even if all new songs.
11
So happy to see The Americans finally get the award they deserve
But so sad this amazing show is over
33
Jeff Bridges' speech was the first awards speech worth listening to in ages - to abbreviate (and butcher) the eloquence of his words, Mr Bridges encouraged every single one of us to do our own small part to steer our country in the right, moral, direction. Without being needlessly divisive, he showed true wisdom and leadership that is sorely needed in these troubled times. I feel sorry for the reporter that this message clearly bypassed him. But the consummate Dude would never hold a grudge.
115
@common sense advocate, it was a heartfelt speech, but I wonder whether you realize that Bridges took his metaphor — fully intact — from Buckminster Fuller. It was not an original story, or even an original thought, even if he weave it in with his personal “you’re it” moment. Bridges also described trim tabs incorrectly — he was completely wrong on that — so apparently he did not fully understand the metaphor he pinched. Sweet speech, likable guy. Nothing more.
Besides, Fuller’s idea that each person can be a trib tab to influence the rudder of society or state dies not apply to the situation we are in. There are vast armies of trim tabs giving their all to shift that rudder, but the ship has run aground. Were gonna need a bigger boat, as someone once said.
7
Passion for Peaches, there are vast armies of people dissatisfied with Donald Trump- but we haven't changed course because we're not pulling in the same direction - the same naysayers who voted Green or stayed home because Hillary Clinton was not progressive enough for them still reside in the party-so no, we are not all trying to pull in the same direction by any means. That said, I saw your comment about Carol Burnett - I have many fond memories of watching her show with my grandparents!
5
Thank God for the DVR, the only way to watch any awards show.
23
Okay, to start with it's a Hollywood Awards Show, the going in is completely self congratulatory. Whoever the Hollywood Foreign Press is, well, let's just remember they gave an award to Pia Zadora.
Now that we have level set our expectations, I have just a few things to say.
Christian Bale's speech was the most entertaining of the night, from the source of his inspiration to the challenge of portraying politicians with no charisma (yeah, not really a challenge). He gets it and it was great fun to watch him share that he gets it with the rest of us.
The Dude waxing philosophical about "Bucky Fuller", well that was just brilliant.
Who doesn't love Carol Burnett? It was kind of fun to see my son looking at me askance as I laughed loudly, remembering watching those skits with my sisters on Saturday nights growing up. Ms. Burnett is truly a national treasure!
If there was someone I was pleased to see in a 'surprise win' it was Rami Malek, taking on the role of Freddie Mercury took a good dose of courage. The music is outstanding, the story compelling but the performance is truly stunning, so good for him.
So, next year, have a few cocktails and just relax and enjoy the show.
61
I couldn't make it through the opening monologue (dialogue?). The jokes(?) were lame and not at all funny. I switched channels after 5 minutes.
9
The most hilarious line of the night was definitely when Christian Bale thanked Satan for helping him play Dick Cheney.
171
Bad call on Jeff Bridges! His speech was arguably the most compelling and beautiful of all. And his relaxed, human delivery was a fresh breeze in that stilted phony environment. He seemed like a scruffy, bemused preacher, exhorting us to recognize our own power and our responsibility to harness it to affect change. Tag, you’re it!
126
The hosts killed the thrill. Talk about undynamic and unintelligible. I agreed with the choice of winners, but for one. Rami Malik did not channel Freddie Mercury. He does not have the forceful presence of Mercury. He is a slight and controlled presence. A Star is Born should have been recognized. It had the vitality Bohemian Rhapsody lacked.
6
I think the biggest snub and mistake by the HFPA, was the star of Roma- Yalitza Aparicio not winning- that was a travesty!
16
I didn't watch the show at all, but this article gave a totally fan-like impression...
If the writer wanted lady Gaga to win, that doesn't mean it has to be shared by everyone and by the Globes.
Also, the fact that a bunch of drunken people were standing when Oprah gave her speech, doesn't give credit to her or take credit from Bridges, whom a similarly drunken group had difficulty understanding.
On a side note, where are you Ricky??...
9
Exactly. If one wants awards for popular movies then tune to MTV.
2
When Sandra Oh was thanking ten people by name involved in the series, she might have thought to mention Jodie Comer who all but delivered the award to Oh with her genre-twisting portrayal of Villanelle.
The closest Oh came was in mentioning "my cast", as if that covered the contribution of the Brit actress' performance that delivered more eyeballs to the series and generated most of the avalanche of social media regarding the series.
I'd note that Oh was more a member of Jodie's cast than vice-versa. What a miss.
17
@Ken Lawson. Yes, I wondered about that. Jodie was incredible.
8
@Ken Lawson, yep. I was waiting for that hat tip, too. To be honest, Oh’s pointed omission (“my cast” is a loaded choice of words) made me think less of her than I had previously. Claws came out? Maybe. There must be a backstory there.
Both actresses were stellar in “Killing Eve,” in their own ways. Jodie Comer’s part was more complex and subtle, though. She was terrifying yet also deeply human, which is hard to pull off.
11
@Ken Lawson I couldn't believe it either! Without Jodie Comer there is no show. I love her portrayal of her character.
2
The only thing worthwhile in the entire show was the Dudes speech. And if you didn't like it, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man...
72
Gotta say one thing:
The Americans: Best. Show. Ever. (And I love, love, love The Wire.)
20
Mr. Buchanan: I think you mean subordinate, not sublimate.
2
@Tom Fischer, that was the word Close used.
4
@Passion for Peaches Yes - and when she used that word in telling the story of her mother's regrets, I sat up straighter and listened intently to every word, none of which appeared to be rehearsed, given her total and utter shock
11
Nice to see Jared Kushner getting his feet wet with Sandra Oh on the leadoff.
6
Carol Burnett outclassed the entire room. Eighty-five years old and still knocking the socks off those flapping along in her tail stream. Notice that she was not mean, snarky, or in any way diminishing toward another human, nor was she insincerely gushy. She presented an interesting statement about where television is going, and what we have lost. She was a badly needed breath of fresh air in this clumsy production. Love that woman!
(Watching her comedy show with my family was almost a ritual, when I was young. Imagine...a comedy show that amused adults and kids alike! Seeing that GWTW skit with Scarlett wearing curtains — including the curtain rod — brought back memories. It was funny when it was new, and it’s still hilarious.)
93
@Passion for Peaches
Just thinking about her gliding down that staircase, with the curtain rod still attached....I'm laughing aloud as I write this. Her spoofs of movies was spot on. Remember her take on Born To Be Bad? Her "Cristabel" was hilarious.
12
@A., and such perfect timing! After killing that deadpan entrance, she waits a fraction of a beat after Harvey Korman’s line, and slides into home plate with a line she underplays.
I like how everyone was always trying to crack the others up. Tim Conway was the worst (best?) for that. If you want a good belly laugh, look up “Tim Conway’s Elephant Story” on Youtube.
7
No, Tim's dentist sketch was THE BEST!
5
What an absolute, politically correct borefest this was.
16
Amid all the talk of change and progress, we still have NYT reporter Vanessa Friedman still shaming women celebrities based upon their clothing and appearance.
Some things never change.
7
We had to fast forward through the vapid, stupid and unfunny jokes poorly read from the teleprompter by two people who may have performing talents, but had absolutely no sense of timing or proper delivery and should not be hosting. Where is Chris Rock when you need him? The stunt with the flu shots was positively cringeworthy. Thank goodness Carol Burnett made it all worthwhile.
12
Jeff Bridges wonderful speech apparently went right over the head of the writer critiquing it. The Dude abides!!!! Indeed!
94
Christian Bale's best line was- "Thank you to Satan for giving me inspiration on how to play this role" .
34
You misquoted Tyler Perry’s comment and flubbed his joke. He said, “Yes, WE are.”
6
Did Ms. Burnett thank Bob Mackie? If not, I assume it was an oversight.
4
Just have to point out that there is no live orchestra for the Golden Globes, so please don't blame the "orchestra" for playing someone off. Even at the Oscars, where there is a group of live musicians, the decision to play someone off is never made by the music director or the musicians.
16
Yeah, the Golden Globes are 95% fluff. And yet I found myself oddly happy as I watched. Not just because the simply magnificent Regina King received recognition, and other highlights like Patricia Clarkson and Carol Burnett -- but just a general vibe of relaxed, laid back humanity.
33
@Gary E, I agree that the show was much less edgy than than it has been in previous years. You can look at that as an expression of “laid back humanity” and see it as a good thing. Unfortunately, I think the mood may be because people are worn out by the Trump administration shenanigans, and there as been so much anger all around in the last year. I would have liked to hear at least one sincere, rousing political diatribe. Regina King’s speech was good, but lacked fire, and it was solely about racial and gender diversity. I wanted someone to take aim at the crazy guy in office. The Globes needed an Oprah and a Meryl.
I noticed that Spike Lee wasn’t in on the kumbaya vibe, though. Does that man ever not look completely ticked off?
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No, God bless him.
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I beg to differ, Jeff Bridges did indeed make a relatable important point, albeit in his own way. So what if he didn't match Oprah bringing down the house... The trim tab analogy was relevant to our times and our seeming inability to make any change as an individual.
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@Aspen, I liked his speech a lot. It was totally Jeff-as-The-Dude, though, and that may be why the adudience seemed to be tapping a collective foot in frustration. The pacing was too slow and there was too much thinking required.
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A very dull show with one of the weakest openings I can recall.
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I love Idris Elba’s work, but found his “You look great there” comment to Taylor Swift so inappropriate. On that note, Sandra Oh’s “compliment” to Bradley Cooper (“you’re hot) was equally inappropriate.
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@Andrea Damour, these awards shows are all about dressing up to the nines and looking for positive feedback on your efforts — lots of likes on social media, and inclusion on best-dressed lists. Anyone performer who participates yet takes the “don’t you dare comment on my looks or clothing” pose is hypocritical and beyond ridiculous. And anyone who watches these shows and gets offended by performers commenting on each other’s looks is looking too hard for something to offend.
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@Andrea Damour, forgot to add that Bradley Cooper may be “hot” to some, but Idris Elba is absolutely, unquestionably sizzling. And I doubt that he would be insulted hearing that. He carries himself like a man who is well aware of his appeal and is mildly amused by it. That’s part of his appeal.
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@Andrea Damour
You cannot be serious. Have we really gotten to the point where we're no longer allowed to compliment each other? Please, don't make this be an ugly issue. When you're standing next to someone who worked hard to "clean up" for the event, a compliment tossed casually and sincerely is a lovely thing. There is NOTHING wrong with it. Don't make that be an ugly thing.
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Why are there gender based categories of these awards?
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@G, tradition. And it allows for more awards. Why are there so many categories for types of productions? Why not just award “best show for tv” and “best movie for Big screen”? Why bother doing it at all?
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@G
Because that's life, and there's nothing wrong with that. Would you prefer one category, with 10 nominees, and only one winner? "Best Actor" in the category? Please. Don't be ridiculous. It is what it is, and what it is is fine.
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@ellen @G Agreed. Notice too how Glenn Close made a point of (proudly, I thought) emphasizing her career as an ACTRESS multiple times in her acceptance speech.
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It's astounding that these awards, given so much credence and significance, are the result of the some 88 voters comprising the HRPA.
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@Eileen Giuliani
OOPS TYPO, please excuse.- It's the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA)!
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@Eileen Giuliani : Good point. But that’s Marketing for you. And show biz.
And Christian Bale “thanking” Satan? I took the 3 hour show for what it was. A silly romp from reality. Hilarious.
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Watch the speeches of a few on Youtube. Otherwise, no interest. Hollywood seems more insular than ever. Btw, who determined that the overrated Star is Born and Gaga were shoo-ins? The same pollsters that predicted Hillary a winner?
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@sansacro Because Bradley Cooper and Gaga are Hollywood darlings.
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Finally, someone brave enough to take on the 2016 presidential election pollsters!
I don't know why everyone is shocked about the wins of Bohemian Rhapsody. While true, the story is compelling, it's a movie about a Gay man. Hollywood, as well as the international critics, have more than their share of Gays and they vote strictly for "Gay". It's why Moonlight, a terrible movie, won Best Picture. I am glad Glenn Close won...she's a fabulous actress! I think the best barometer is "The People's Choice". WE decide which movie is best by our wallet!
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@J. G. Smith, okay, we get it, you have an issue with homosexuality. That's ok, I have an issue with homophobic people.
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@J. G. Smith "....have more than their share of Gays and they vote strictly for 'Gay'. Shame on you.
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@J. G. Smith
Why are you capitalizing "gay"? Do you think it's another country...another planet? It would be in your interest to see that most things that are different from you should not automatically be feared. Your life will be richer for it.
Anyway, the important thing about Freddie Mercury is that he Rocked with a capital "R".
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I don't agree with the reviewer's comment on the Dude's acceptance speach. While it took a bit to get to the point on his story about the rudder of the ship, I thought the idea that we are all 'trim tabs'--little rudders that really make the big rudder on the ship of life shift direction-- I thought that was as profound and memorable a thing as I've ever heard at an award acceptance. Just saying...
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@PK Seriously. The guy referenced Buckminster Fuller in an awards show speech. That should earn him plaudits right there.
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@DatMel, Bucky's the dude!
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@DatMel
Agree. About 3 people in the audience knows who Fuller is.
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What a joyless slog the Golden Globes were last night. Almost everything fell flat, I was impressed by very little.
High point of the evening was, of course, Carol Burnett, whose stature remained unequalled throughout the evening – indeed, how small the other TV entities seemed by comparison.
But even her speech became a source of sadness, ultimately, when Ms Burnett correctly assessed that a show such as hers could never be mounted today, not just for production costs but because it could not find an audience among today’s fragmented viewership. At the risk of becoming an old codger, I will tell you simply that as a proud member of the boob tube generation, we were far better off with fewer choices. Those channels we had served us better, too. Carol Burnett was the capstone to an astonishing night of comedy every Saturday, for all too brief an era. We will never see the likes of it again.
The variety show format included something for everyone; no one felt inclined to change the channel, especially when Carol Burnett was on. As clips from her show ran last night, I kept saying “My dad loved that skit, my dad LOVED that character,” and I swell with affection remembering how our flickering TV was the campfire my entire family gathered around.
Rendering simple network television a far more social media than anything on those glowing handheld devices you all seem to be so in love with.
Thanks Carol. Adore you.
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@Brian
As a fellow member of the boob tube generation, I gently and respectfully disagree that TV was better when we relied on the three broadcast networks and "the educational channel" (as PBS called in my house). For every superb talent like Carol Burnett or Mary Tyler Moore who was allowed a fitting showcase on the networks, we had to endure endless hours of repetitive cop shows, lawyer shows, doctor shows, jiggle sitcoms, etc. And the private detective shows about the fat one, the old one, the charming one, the violent one (but never, never the female one). I prefer the new era of expanded opportunity for individual voices and visions offered by Netflix, Amazon, and all the rest. Besides, the old shows are available on TV Land for those who want a brief return to yesterday.
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@RS
You seem to have forgotten "Police Woman" and "Cagney and Lacey" and "Decoy" and "Honey West" and... Yes, female detectives and cops were rare, but you go too far when you say they were never female.
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Au contraire, I did recall Pepper Anderson (Angie in "Police Woman") and Cagney and Lacey. They were police officers, not private eyes like Barnaby Jones, Cannon, Mannix, Jim Rockford, et. al. "Decoy" and "Honey West" were before even my time (and I'm 58).
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I think Jeff Bridges made a great point if you were listening carefully. The Buckminster Fuller Trim Tab metaphor was beautiful. The idea that a small individual can move something momentous is powerful. Also, for me comparing Oprah with Jeff Bridges just doesn't work.
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Your guy must have wax in his ears: Jeff Bridges spoke on being alive and being capable of producing change -- a political message unparalleled last night in its avoidance of gender issues and its acceptance of everyone's responsibility to be conscious of their true strengths. It was a bit of an off-speed pitch, a change-up, and that's what your guy didn't catch.
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@Leojv
Agreed. And it was also a "beyond politics" speech. Not every change has to be political (or should be). Change can be just committing to being kinder to those around us from moment to moment.
Also, the "We're alive, man!" was nearly Buddhist in its celebration of being-ness.
Great, heart-felt speech from a good soul.
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As a kid Carol Burnett was "much watch TV." I laughed just as hard last night watching those clips and missing all of them. And she was right about TV today. The only way they'd do her show now would be if every member of the cast and orchestra wore brand signs.
I though Sandra Oh's win was wonderful and I thought her small bow of respect to her parents was sweet.
Ditto with Glenn Close. I had heard she was ridiculously subtle and brilliant in it but the reviewer nor I expected her to get the kudos she clearly deserved. Well done Hollywood foreign press.
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@Jenifer Huh? Glenn Close has been widely touted as a best actress award contender since the moment “The Wife” was released.
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The TV industry has become too fragmented. How can one even sample the TV shows featured.
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Hey man, you just needed to have a little patience with The Dude! Jeff Bridges' speech was all about the power of the individual to make a difference. I was really shocked that The Assassination of Gianni Versace got so much love- I felt it was s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d 4 episodes too far.
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@Mrs Whit
I agree with Mrs. Whit regarding Jeff’s speech. It carried a very important message that was desperately needed at a time when many people feel their voices don’t make a difference. We can change course, it is within our power to do so, incrementally – and slowly perhaps just as his speech unwrapped – but the overall message was positive and empowering. In my opinion, Ms. Goodman missed the point and delivered an unmerited slam.
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I've been watching reward show's for too long!! This one was absolutely horrible, not funny, poignant or much of anything interesting ..I wonder if it's because I'm older and I've seen quite a lot in my years, also the movies themselves are not worthy of the greatness that is bestowed, quite sad indeed! Carol Burnett's speech was telling about where we've come, that I believe is the truth of the times : (
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