12 notable moments at the Golden Globes 2019 awards gala

The 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards, which will kick start Hollywood’s award season, was surprisingly fun, pleasant and inoffensive, although we were all disappointed that Crazy Rich Asians (based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan about the extravagant life of the rich in Singapore) missed out on nabbing a Globe.

While some might say the lack of drama is boring, there was no shortage of sharp commentary (Crazy Rich Asians is “the first show featuring an all-Asian cast since Ghost in the Shell and Aloha,” retorted Sandra Oh), great laughs and inspirational moments throughout the 3.5-hour-long ceremony. Here are some of the best moments worth highlighting.

1. When the hosts shot compliments instead of zings

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Golden Globes’ hosts Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh decided to give the usual tradition of roasting their fellow celebs a rest in their opening monologue. Instead, they wanted to bring “a moment of joy” and to be celebratory, so it was a rather unusual parley that followed. “Bradley Cooper!” called Sandra. “You are hot,” she said with a growl. Jeff Bridges, “I wish you were my dad”, shot Andy. Amy Adams has been nominated for multiple globes, added Sandra. “Save some for the rest of us, you multi-talented piece of crap.”

Playing it safe, or much-needed positivity? You decide.

2. When they kicked Jim Carrey out off his seat

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The closest thing to toughness the hosts displayed was when they asked Jim Carrey to leave his seat at the “film section”. Jim was nominated for best performance in a television series, comedy or musical for his role as Jeff in the Showtime series Kidding, so scoot on back to where the TV people sit, they said. “You’re kidding right? I just filmed Sonic the Hedgehog, it’s coming out later this year,” he appealed awkwardly as a security guard stood over him.

Reluctantly moving to the back with his things, he later yelled in feigned anger: “I can’t hear you from all the way back here!” A lighthearted and goofy gag that’s a marked departure from last year’s somber campaign against sexual harassment.

3. When Sandra Oh had a teary moment

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Amidst the witty banter and jibes, Sandra took a moment to celebrate being the first person of Asian descent to host a major American awards show in an emotional dialogue. “I said yes to the fear of being on this stage tonight because I wanted to be here and look out onto this audience and witness this moment of change,” Sandra, who would later win the Best Actress award for a Television Series Drama for her role in Killing Eve.

“I’m not fooling myself. Next year could be different and probably will be,” she added, her voice cracking. “But right now, this moment is real.”

4. When everyone got a shot in the arm

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While Golden Globes might lack the sheen of the more heralded Oscars and Emmys, it makes up for it in entertainment and fun. That is never more apparent than when 50 minutes into the show, the hosts shocked all with their announcement. “Normally at this point of the show, the host would do something fun and spontaneous to show how we’re all just ordinary people, like ordering pizza for everyone,” Andy said.

“But since we already get food at the Globes, we’d thought we’d mix it up and try something new,” Sandra announced. “So, roll up your sleeves Hollywood, ‘cause you’re all getting flu shots!” And out came a bunch of people in doctors’ coats, brandishing syringes. Cue chaos and confusion. Well at least no one will be taking MC tomorrow.

5. When Lady Gaga cemented her cred as a talented star

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Gaga was in tears and lost for words when it was revealed that Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, Andrew Wyatt and her scored best original song for A Star is Born song, Shallow. “I just want to say as a woman in music it’s really hard to be taken seriously as a songwriter, and these three men lifted and supported me. And Bradley, I love you.”

6. When Taylor Swift made a surprise appearance

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Eyebrows were raised when Taylor walked onstage with Idris Elba to present the Best Original Score award (which went to Justin Hurwitz for First Man). The singer was there to support her boyfriend Joe Alwyn, whose film The Favourite was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Taylor didn’t walk the red carpet with Joe, but she looked stunning in an off-shoulder black sequin Atelier Versace gown.

ALSO READ: BEST DRESSED CELEBS AT THE 76TH GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS

7. When an epic proposal happened

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Maya Rudolph pulled out a ring box onstage and asked Amy Poehler to marry her ahead of their presentation of the Best Screenplay award (which went to Green Book). “You’re the love of my life, you’ve always been there for me. Amy Geraldine Poehler, will you marry me?” she said, mock shaking. “Oh my god! I can’t believe you’re doing this! Are we stealing focus from the next award?” Amy said with a gasp.

“Don’t worry. It’s just Best Screenplay,” Maya deadpanned “Yes, yes! A thousand times yes!” Amy replied before they nuzzled faces. The pair seemed to be poking fun at the viral proposal that went down at the 2018 Emmy Awards, where Oscars director Glenn Weiss asked his girlfriend Jan Friedlander Svendsen to marry him during his acceptance speech. Brilliant!

8. When women stood up for themselves

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Regina King, who won best supporting actress in a motion picture for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk, gave a powerful speech on the importance of diversity. Thanking Hollywood director Barry Jenkins, she pledged that everything she produces in the next two years will be “50 per cent women”, before challenging attendees who are “in a position of power” to continue to push the notion of inclusiveness in Hollywood.

Later, Patricia Clarkson, who won best supporting actress in a series, limited series or TV movie for her role in HBO’s Sharp Objects, thanked its director Jean-Marc Vallée. “You demanded everything of me, except sex,” as the crowd burst into laughter. “Which is exactly how it should be in our industry.” Burn.

9. When an actor thanked the devil

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It was quite a thank-you speech by Christian Bale, who won best actor in a motion picture – musical or comedy for his portrayal of former Vice-President Dick Cheney in Vice. Known for being a firecracker, Christian was no-holds-barred in his expletive-laden speech. “What a bunch of lucky buggers we are, to make a life out of doing something we love,” Bale said before thanking his “beautiful wife, who said saying less is more”.

“She knows some of the dumb crap that comes out of my mouth,” he said. Wrapping up, he added: “Thank you to Satan, who gave me inspiration on how to play this role.” We don’t think the Republicans will be pleased with that one.

10. When minorities’ rights are championed

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The executive producer of Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (which won Best Television Limited Series or Made for TV Movie) gave a rousing speech, calling for a better and more loving world. “Gianni Versace was murdered 20 years ago. He was one of the few public figures who was out during a period of intense fear and hate,” Brad Simpson said.  

“Those forces of hate and fear are still with us. As artists, we must fight back,” he said, by telling the stories of those who are not represented. “As human beings, we should resist in the streets, resist at the ballot box, and practice love and empathy in our everyday lives.” Couldn’t agree more.

11. When Lady Gaga lost out on an award she was widely favoured to win

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In what was seen as the biggest upset of the night, Glenn Close snagged the Globe for best actress in a motion picture-drama for her powerful (but low-key) role in The Wife. There didn’t seem to be any hard feelings – both clutched each other tightly before Glenn went onstage. She gave what we feel is the most moving speech of the night, calling for women to break out of stereotypes.

“It’s called The Wife, maybe that’s why it took 14 years to make,” she joked about her film. Paying a tearful tribute to her mother, who had put her father’s needs before hers and ended up feeling like she had accomplished nothing when she reached her 80s, Glenn said that was  “not right”. “We have to find personal fulfillment, we have to follow our dreams and say ‘I can do that, and I should be allowed to do that,” she said to a standing ovation.

12. When the biggest winner of the night was a head-scratcher

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In another shocking twist, Bohemian Rhapsody (a biographical film about British rock band Queen), nabbed the top honours of best motion picture/drama, beating out great contenders like hot favourite A Star is Born and acclaimed film Black Panther.

Many were not pleased; pointing out that director Bryan Singer — who was fired from the film for repeated absences and later accused of rape — was not mentioned onstage by producers or its lead actor Rami Malek (who picked up the best drama actor trophy for playing Freddie Mercury). Puzzling.

Here’s the full list of winners:

Best actor in a TV series – musical or comedy

Sacha Baron Cohen – Who Is America?

Jim Carrey – Kidding

WINNER: Michael Douglas – The Kominsky Method

Donald Glover – Atlanta

Bill Hader – Barry

Best animated feature film

Incredibles 2

Isle of Dogs

Mirai

Ralph Breaks the Internet

WINNER: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Best actor in a TV series – drama

Jason Bateman – Ozark

Stephan James – Homecoming

Billy Porter – Pose

WINNER: Richard Madden – Bodyguard

Matthew Rhys – The Americans

Best TV series – drama

WINNER: The Americans

Bodyguard

Homecoming

Killing Eve

Pose

Best supporting actor in a limited series or TV movie

Alan Arkin – The Kominsky Method

Kieran Culkin – Succession

Edgar Ramirez – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

WINNER: Ben Whishaw – A Very English Scandal

Henry Winkler – Barry

Best actress in a limited series or TV movie

Amy Adams – Sharp Objects

WINNER: Patricia Arquette – Escape at Dannemora

Connie Britton – Dirty John

Laura Dern – The Tale

Regina King – Seven Seconds

Best score in a motion picture

Marco Beltrami – A Quiet Place

Alexandre Desplat – Isle of Dogs

Ludwig Göransson – Black Panther

WINNER: Justin Hurwitz – First Man

Marc Shaiman – Mary Poppins Returns

Best song in a motion picture

All the Stars – Black Panther

Girl in the Movies – Dumplin’

Requiem for a Private War – A Private War

Revelation – Boy Erased

WINNER: Shallow – A Star Is Born

Best supporting actress in a motion picture

Amy Adams – Vice

Claire Foy – First Man

WINNER: Regina King – If Beale Street Could Talk

Emma Stone – The Favourite

Rachel Weisz – The Favourite

Best actress in a TV series – drama

Caitriona Balfe – Outlander

Elisabeth Moss – The Handmaid’s Tale

WINNER: Sandra Oh – Killing Eve

Julia Roberts – Homecoming

Keri Russell – The Americans

Best supporting actor in a motion picture

WINNER: Mahershala Ali – Green Book

Timothée Chalamet – Beautiful Boy

Adam Driver – BlacKkKlansman

Richard E Grant – Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Sam Rockwell – Vice

Best screenplay

Alfonso Cuarón – Roma

Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara – The Favourite

Barry Jenkins – If Beale Street Could Talk

Adam McKay – Vice

WINNER: Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly – Green Book

Best supporting actress in a limited series or TV movie

Alex Bornstein – The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

WINNER: Patricia Clarkson – Sharp Objects

Penelope Cruz – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Thandie Newton – Westworld

Yvonne Strahovski – The Handmaid’s Tale

Best actor – musical or comedy

WINNER: Christian Bale – Vice

Lin-Manuel Miranda – Mary Poppins Returns

Viggo Mortensen – Green Book

Robert Redford – The Old Man & the Gun

John C Reilly – Stan & Ollie

Best foreign language film

Capernaum

Girl

Never Look Away

WINNER: Roma

Shoplifters

Best actor in a limited series or TV movie

Antonio Banderas – Genius: Picasso

Daniel Bruhl – The Alienist

WINNER: Darren Criss – The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Benedict Cumberbatch – Patrick Melrose

Hugh Grant – A Very English Scandal

Best director

Bradley Cooper – A Star Is Born

WINNER: Alfonso Cuarón – Roma

Peter Farrelly – Green Book

Spike Lee – BlacKkKlansman

Adam McKay – Vice

Best actress in a TV series – musical or comedy

Kristen Bell – The Good Place

Candice Bergen – Murphy Brown

Alison Brie – Glow

WINNER: Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Debra Messing – Will and Grace

Best TV series – musical or comedy

Barry

The Good Place

Kidding

WINNER: The Kominsky Method

The Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Best limited series or TV movie

The Alienist

WINNER: The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Escape at Dannemora

Sharp Objects

A Very English Scandal

Best actress – musical or comedy

Emily Blunt – Mary Poppins Returns

WINNER: Olivia Colman – The Favourite

Elsie Fisher – Eighth Grade

Charlize Theron – Tully

Constance Wu – Crazy Rich Asians

Best film – musical or comedy

Crazy Rich Asians

The Favourite

WINNER: Green Book

Mary Poppins Returns

Vice

Best actress – drama

WINNER: Glenn Close – The Wife

Lady Gaga – A Star Is Born

Nicole Kidman – Destroyer

Melissa McCarthy – Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Rosamund Pike – A Private War

Best actor – drama

Bradley Cooper – A Star Is Born

Willem Dafoe – At Eternity’s Gate

Lucas Hedges – Boy Erased

WINNER: Rami Malek – Bohemian Rhapsody

John David Washington – BlacKkKlansman

Best film – drama

Black Panther

BlacKkKlansman

WINNER: Bohemian Rhapsody

If Beale Street Could Talk

A Star Is Born

ALSO READ: SHOW & TELL: 13 INSPIRING WOMEN IN SINGAPORE TELL US HOW THEY CONQUERED 2018