Make 'Em Loath, Er, Laugh: 2011 Golden Globes - The Cultute of Pop, DVD, Movie, TV, Pop Culture Review

Make 'Em Loath, Er, Laugh: 2011 Golden Globes

Posted: Sun, 16 Jan 2011 23:57:23 PST

It's always been called the awards show where people come to party...but the 2011 Golden Globes turned out to be somewhat of a cross between a soiree and a Comedy Central Roast thanks to an all too adventurous Ricky Gervais, returning for a second year at the podium.

Like last year, he came out with drink in hand a'la Dean Martin as the onlookers and TV viewers throughout the world geared up for some friendly ribbing and kudos giving...and from the get go, Gervais slinged biting arrows at everyone from Hugh Hefner's upcoming nuptials to a girl 5 decades his senior to the the President Of The Hollywood Foreign Press (claiming Eva Longoria needed to get him off the toilet and put his teeth back in).

At first, such moments were funny, but like a comedian that dabbles in too much profanity, Gervais' antics took on that of a shock jock. So when he was off camera for the better part of an hour midway through the program, it was somewhat of a relief to watch the various solo and duo presenters do the driving.

Winners wise, most of the evening was comfortably predictable, but some surprise winners surfaced here and there. An early upset came from Sons Of Anarchy's Katey Sagal nabbed a Best Drama Actress award that many prognosticators aimed at either Julianna Marguiles or Kyra Sedgewick. Minutes later, Glee's Chris Colfer sidestepped heavy faves Chris Noth (The Good Wife) and Eric Stonestreet`(Modern Family). Other upsets came from an absent Laura Linney (The Big C, Best Comedy Actress), Carlos (Best Mini-Series or TV Movie over the highly acclaimed The Pacific), and Boardwalk Empire (Best Drama Series over Globe favorite Mad Men).

Aside from the above, expected names emerged from the envelopes...but thankfully, a few playful (and no doubt slightly inebriated) podium visitors livened things up and kept viewers safe from the ho-hums.

Among the high points:

-A loose Robert Downey, Jr.'s hilariously randy intro to the Best Actress/Comedy or Musical Award, poking flirty jabs at Julianne Moore and Angelina Jolie before concluding, “If I could, I'd give it to all five of you at once.” 

-Hollywood Foreign Press President who fired off a zinger of his own to Ricky Gervais, stating that if his future films needed qualifying for future Globe awards, to “find another guy”.

-A grateful Annette Benning's beyond classy speech thanking virtually everyone behind The Kids Are Alright, but not forgetting hubby Warren Beatty, the winner of the 1962 Globe for Most Promising Newcomer.

-Cecil B. DeMille Honoree Robert DeNiro having fun with the Hollywood Foreign Press along with self depreciating remarks on films in his career that weren't so great. Why didn't this side of DeNiroshow up on SNL last month?

 -The triumphant Michael Douglas bringing the crowd to its feet, a lovely sight in the face of his recent caner battle as he remarked, “There's gotta be an easier way to get a standing ovation”.

 For a complete list of Globe winners, click here: