Golden Globes lowlights and disappointments
Posted on 18. Jan, 2010 by Anupa in Film, Pop Culture, Television
Since I have the shortest attention span in the world, I don’t usually tune into awards shows. They’re long and boring and gratuitous, filled with exalting speeches by people in largely decadent professions (they need to glitz up the Nobels—I’d watch) and more often than not, bad films/musicians get rewarded over less populist picks.
Last night, however, I watched the Golden Globes because I am a Ricky Gervais fanatic and he mostly crushed when he did a bit at the Emmy’s. I was pretty much prepared to laugh my ass off instead of being bored to death. Hey GG producers: Less boring presenters, more of the TALENT you hire to host! Didn’t experience the excruciating night live? Be thankful. Here’s my summary of the most noteworthy moments.
Red carpet interviews: Someone needs to kick Billy Bush in the nuts. I feel like every person he talks to walks away with that weird “Hey… did he just dis me?” feeling. He’s either a horrible interviewer to start with, or just feeling the pressure of the night. I’d venture it’s the former seeing as most of his questions revolved around the obvious rainfall that was happening. Yo, Billy! Only my grandma asks me how the weather is.
Ricky’s opening monologue: He opens by introducing himself in relation to Steve Carell and The Office. It’s always funny to see Carell’s stony face when Gervais roasts him, but (see above link) that bit has been done before. Gervais also uses the time to do the whole i’m-plugging-my-own-project thing that’s basically rote for awards shows/live telecasts now. At about five minutes long, aside from a good penis joke (what better way to warm up an austere crowd?), his anticipated removed-from-Hollywood roasting was more of a dead boil. Best line of the night? Gervais taking a swig of beer at the podium and proceeding to introduce Mel Gibson as, “I like a drink as much as the next man … unless the next man is Mel Gibson.” Watch him host here.
Brendan Fraser goes viral: Proof that the Globes are as boozy as reputed, the Encino Man lets completely loose with what’s now being termed the ‘tard clap, during Alec Baldwin’s hilarious speech about Martin Scorsese having sex with a film canister. You’ve really got to be comfortable to let yourself get that overexcited in a room full of cameras.
Harrison Ford slursssss: Either something happened to Indy or this guy was seriously crunk because his sombre mumblings while presenting an award were both boring-as-shit and mad distracting. He could’ve atleast tried to make the general public feel like they weren’t wasting four hours watching overpaid, annoying drama kids bask in exultant glory.
James Cameron wins: Fuck Avadah. And fuck James Cameron for thinking it’s okay to wear his hair like that, accept an award for a such a self-indulgent film up against some good shit–like The Hurt Locker (and its director Katherine Bigelow), Inglourious Basterds and even Precious–and speak his own bullshit made-up-language during the acceptance speech. I see you, Cameron, and I hate you.
Not enough/bad NBC roasting: So I think there were high expectations for fun being made at the network’s expense given the vast amount of comedic talent present (with lots of free reign). But aside from Tina Fey’s goofy, apropos zinger, “It’s not rain, it’s God crying for NBC,” even Julia Roberts saying the network is “in the toilet” wasn’t satisfying enough. Hey, if MTV shows girls getting punched in the face every day then I don’t think it’s too much to expect a few outrageous/out-of-line jokes at the expense of a multi-billion dollar corporation.
Simon
Jan 18th, 2010
I saw a hilight package of his jokes… I really enjoyed when he made fun of McCartney’s divorce, then looked kind of worried because Paul seemed genuinely upset, then pointed at his Haiti ribbon.
Also AWESOME: after his Mel Gibson joke he literally ran off-stage to avoid making eye contact. Gervais needs to work with Conan and Andy when the inevitable Fox show happens.
Anupa
Jan 18th, 2010
Yes, the ribbon point was probably my most favourite thing ever in the world. That was exactly the reason why I love Gervais sooo much.
rehana
Jan 18th, 2010
yay. i liked this post because i didn’t get to watch the show.
jessekg
Jan 19th, 2010
I just you tubed the Gervais highlights and the Scorcese montage on monday, figuring those were the highlights.
I would have to say I almost laughed whenever Gervais was on stage. He did a pretty great job. The penis joke was solid, but before that going on about how actors are the most important people in the world…? I think only half the audience got his Brit humour.
The Colin Ferrel and Mel Gibson intros were perfectly awkward.
Anupa
Jan 19th, 2010
The thing was, in the context of the show, Gervais just kind of fell flat. And I feel like he’s a set-up comedian… so there just was not enough time for him to really hit it out of the park. I’m used to him making me laugh til I cry.