In an attempt to increase the show’s unpredictability factor, NBC tapped Ricky Gervais to serve as the first host of the Golden Globe Awards since 1995, and it seems to have worked. At last night’s 67th annual presentation of the ceremony, which took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, Gervais didn’t hold back, and provided witty, controversial comments. The Hollywood Foreign Press, the organization that chooses the night’s winners, also helped boost the program’s ratings by choosing surprise winners.
Legends Mel Gibson and Sir Paul McCartney weren’t even sparred from Gervais’ jokes. When the creator of Britain’s version of The Office announced Gibson’s entrance to present, he held up his beer and said he couldn’t be held responsible for what he said. He added that he loved his beer as much as the next guy, except if that guy was Gibson, who was famously arrested in 2006 for a DUI. Gervais also said that McCartney flew coach to L.A. because of all the money he spent last year in his divorce from Heather Mills.
The first category of the ceremony was best supporting actress in a movie. The surprise winner was Mo’Nique, for her role as Mary Lee Johnston in the critically-acclaimed drama “Precious,” as she often stars in comedic roles. An abuse survivor herself, she also gave an uplifting, emotional speech, and dedicated the award to “every person who’s ever been touched.”
Another surprising win was director James Cameron for his blockbuster hit “Avator.” While the film is now the third highest ranking in the U.S. behind last year’s winner “The Dark Knight” and Cameron’s other monster hit “Titanic,” director Kathryn Bigelow of “The Hurt Locker” was the popular choice in that category. “The Hurt Locker,” which, is considered to be the most underrated, and even the best, film of 2009, and Cameron even admitted during his acceptance speech that he thought he was going to lose to Bigelow.
Another surprise win was in the television miniseries or movie actress category. Former child star Drew Barrymore finally won her first Golden Globe for her portrayal of Edith Bouvier Beale/”Little Edie” in HBO’s original film “Grey Gardens.” While her co-star Jessica Lange was believed to be the favorite as her role as mother Edith Ewing Bouvier/”Big Edie,” Barrymore seemed humbled that she finally was honored by the Foreign Hollywood Press. During her speech, she admitted she has been waiting for awhile, saying “I’ve been in this room since I was seven years old.”
The most heartfelt and surprise win of the night was Michael C. Hall, who was honored for his title role in the Showtime drama “Dexter.” Hall, who publicly admitted last week he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and is undergoing treatments, was determined to attend the ceremony anyway. He beat out fellow actors Simon Baker, Jon Hamm, Hugh Laurie and Bill Paxton.
Written by: Karen Benardello