Golden Globe Awards Show Falls Flat, Even with Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais was not allowed to speak
freely during the Golden Globes.

I was hoping Ricky Gervais' return to the Golden Globe Awards (after he insulted too many people a couple of years ago) meant he would be unleashed to have some fun.

Not quite, as the Brits would say.  He was handcuffed and timid, barely able to get in a good line.

Other than humor, another missing element was a multitude of winners from major network television shows - most of them were from cable or PBS.  Additionally, most of the film winners were not from box office blockbusters, a trend showing that while Hollywood is making a handful of wonderful movies, it's not making films most Americans want to see,

There is good reason for watching the Golden Globes, however.  They are known for drawing more stars than pretty much any other awards show, even the Oscars.  Last night was no exception.

There were celebs, new and old, large and small.  George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Harrison Ford, Sidney Portier, Meryl Streep, Helen Mirren, Michelle Williams, Morgan Freeman, Ewan McGregor.  Even Johnny Depp and Madonna.  The list goes on.

The presenters didn't offer much but the usual scripted gibberish, but there were many pretty faces and beautiful dresses, though none so outrageous that they would make headlines.

A number of the acceptance speeches were notable.  Morgan Freeman was so gracious accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement.  He spoke about those who won that award previously, including Sidney Poitier, who presented his.

Meryl Streep was a riot when she referred to mega-producer Harvey Weinstein as "God" as she accepted her prize for best actress in a film, drama.

Sophia Vergara was hysterical when she accepted the Best Comedy TV series award for Modern Family in Spanish as executive producer Steve Levitan "translated" what she said into English, uttering completely different words.

Here's the full list of winners:

FILM
Best Actor, Drama: George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Best Actress, Drama: Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Best Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jean Dujardin, “The Artist”
Best Director: Martin Scorsese, “Hugo.”
Best Actress, Musical or Comedy: Michelle Williams, “My Week With Marilyn.”
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, “Beginners.”
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, “The Help.”
Best Foreign Language Film: “A Separation.”
Best Animated Film: “The Adventures of Tintin.”
Best Screenplay: Woody Allen, “Midnight in Paris.”
Best Original Score: Ludovic Bource, “The Artist.”
Best Original Song: “Masterpiece” (music and lyrics by Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry), “W.E.”

TELEVISION
Best Series, Drama: “Homeland,” Showtime.
Best Series, Musical or Comedy: “Modern Family,” ABC.
Best Actor, Drama: Kelsey Grammer, “Boss,” STARZ.
Best Actress, Drama: Claire Danes, “Homeland,” Showtime.
Best Actress, Musical or Comedy: Laura Dern, “Enlightened,” HBO.
Best Actor, Musical or Comedy: Matt LeBlanc, “Episodes,” Showtime.
Best Miniseries or Movie: “Downton Abbey (Masterpiece),” PBS.
Best Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Kate Winslet, “Mildred Pierce” HBO.
Best Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Idris Elba, “Luther.”
Best Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story,” FX.
Best Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones,” HBO.