Thoughts on the Golden Globe Awards - An Uncomfortable Evening

Last night I watched the Golden Globe Awards--well I caught most of the program--in between reading, talking on the phone, and doing laundry. 

Uncomfortable is the word I would use to describe the event. Most of the audience looked like they were all dressed up to attend a wedding of a boss they didn't like, but had to attend anyway. Sitting at home I felt uncomfortable for them.

Ricky Gervais did a repeat performance as the emcee. Last year he was criticized for his put-downs of the audience, but his performance stirred up a controversy and generated publicity -- so that got him invited back this year. His jokes? weren't all that funny. His humor? was critical of the audience and the Foreign Press Association, who puts on the awards. Guess Ricky didn't get the memo about not biting the hand that feeds you. Or maybe he doesn't care. In any case, he set the tone for the event, which was, as mentioned above -- uncomfortable.

The room looked crowded and the tables were jammed together. After the winners' names were announced, guests stood to make room for winners to zigzag through the aisles to get to the podium.

Other attempts at humor fell flat. Jimmy Fallon looked foolish doing a Mick Jagger impresonation. And George Clooney's attempt at being funny by complimenting one of the other younger nominees about the size of his anatomy didn't get many laughs, expect from the guy who appeared happy with Clooney's compliment. Madonna swiped back at Gervais after she won an award, but calling him a girl sounded like an insult a teenager might hurl to get even.

Several winners thanked their families, their agents and a guy named Harvey something or other, whom they compared with as being God. Whenever Harvey's name was mentioned the cameras kept showing a balding man laughing and shaking his head. He seemed very pleased with all the fuss, so I guess he must be someone important--at least in Hollywood circles.

The evening was not a total waste.

Christopher Plummer's obvious love for his wife was touching. During his acceptance speech he commented how her "beauty and bravery take his breath away, even after all these years."

Michelle Williams accepted her award with grace and put it all in perspective when she spoke about her love for her daughter.

The first person Jessica Lange thanked after she accepted her award was the writer who created the great story. While a few other winners mentioned writers, Jessica Lange's came across as being sincere and not an afterthought. 

After watching last night's Golden Globe Awards, I've decided that I will make a note to watch movies (oops, I guess they're called films) that include Jessica Lange, Christopher Plummer, Michelle Williams, and a few other notables.

Did anyone else watch the awards last night? If so, what are your thoughts?