So “Downton Abbey” was on last night, but considering I’m only in the middle of season 2 and will not watch the newest episodes until I’m caught up in the stories, I tuned into the Golden Globes and took a few notes on the night’s most memorable moments.
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were deft hostesses of the evening’s show, doling out nonstop laughs and pitch-perfect digs at the stars throughout the night. A favorite: Fey’s eye-roll on her work helping Lena Dunham get through middle school, in response to the “Girls” director/star’s
acceptance speech for best actress in a TV show or musical.
Another favorite was the two comediennes’ jab at serial-dater Taylor Swift.
“You know what, Taylor Swift?” Fey said. “You stay away from Michael J. Fox’s son.” (Sam Fox was Mr. Golden Globes. Along with Miss Golden Globes, they are honorary titles from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that each year goes to two celebrity children.) Too bad there wasn’t a camera on Swift at that moment.
Poehler said maybe Swift should “go for it.” Fey replied, “No, she needs some me time to learn about herself.”
Love them.
Highs and lowsHigh. Former President Bill Clinton’s surprising appearance to introduce the best-picture nominee “Lincoln.”
High. Almost in true Leslie Knope form, Poehler declaring after Clinton’s appearance, “That was Hillary Clinton’s husband!”
High. “Saturday Night Live” alums Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig’s clueless lead-in to announce best actress in a comedy. The comedic segment about having not watched all the movies in the category: “And Judi Dench. Where did she come from? Unknown. She used to be a police officer in her first movie.” Funny.
Low. The piece ran a tad bit long but still worked well.
High. The unamused look on actor Tommy Lee Jones’s face during the Ferrell and Wiig piece. He was not feelin’ it. Priceless.
Highs. Lovely dresses from Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Lopez and Tina Fey.
Mild High/Um? Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s presentation. ‘Nuff said.
Um? Anne Hathaway’s acceptance speech for best supporting actress. The best part being her tribute to legendary actress Sally Field. But then it went downhill from there, though nowhere near as annoying as Dunham’s speeches.
High. No, seriously, high. Was Aziz Ansari stoned when fellow presenter Jason Bateman carried him on stage? No, but by the mortified looks of some the actors and filmmakers in the audience, he may very well have been. The “Parks and Recreation” star joked that the cast from “Downton Abbey” had some “good weed” cookies backstage. “They call cookies biscuits!” he said, giggling.
Um? Kevin Costner’s acceptance speech. Is he retiring? Perhaps understandably miffed that he’s won only two Golden Globes and two Oscars during his 30-year career, still couldn’t quite peg him. He just seemed resigned.
Low. Lucy Liu’s Stepford Wives-esque dress with its chintz pattern.
High. Dunham bringing a fresh albeit offbeat perspective to a traditionally elite Hollywood crowd. She took the stage twice Sunday to accept awards for Best Actress in a TV Comedy and later Best TV Comedy or Musical for “Girls.”
Um? Dunham thanking Chad Lowe in her second speech. It was actually a nod to the much-talked-about slight in 2000 when actress Hilary Swank forgot to thank Lowe — her then-husband — in her Oscar acceptance speech for Best Actress in “Boys Don’t Cry.” Read the
lovefest that ensued after Dunham explained the shout-out.
Um? Still not sure what to make of Jodie Foster’s acceptance speech for the Cecil B. DeMille Award. The reel of her work over nearly 40 years shows first that perhaps she is one of Hollywood’s most underrated actresses. Her meandering speech included a PSA on privacy, her being single (old news), her officially announcing she is gay (really old news), the aside to her mother who was not present (“Mom, I know you are inside those blue eyes somewhere”), and the possible suggestion that she maybe is retiring or changing careers … or going to live in the woods somewhere? It was an awkward, strange speech that was also beautiful and profound enough to strike a chord with many in the audience — camera shots showed a number of stars with watery eyes and tear-stained faces.
What are your thoughts on last night’s show? The fashion, the jokes, the speeches. What was memorable to you?
