The Golden Globes are usually known for their irreverence and moments of surprise. They were too few and far between this year in a show that seemed to drag on as celebs cemented in our minds the reason why they are better when given a script. Some scripted and unscripted moments definitely caught our attention. Take a look:
Biggest sore loser: Frances McDormand
We loved you in “Olive Kitteridge.” LOVED. But did you have to broadcast your disdain and boredom when you lost to Maggie Gyllenhaal for her work in “An Honorable Woman” by turning away from the stage and fanning yourself? You were just one second away from an eye-roll.
Best acceptance speech: Michael Keaton
Talking plainly and sincerely about his childhood as one of seven children in a crowded household and calling his son his best friend made it impossible not to love the “Birdman” star, who gave the kind of speech they love to hear on Oscar night.
Best barbs: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler
They were excellent hosts throughout, but two remarks really zinged: The Clooney knock (“Amal is a human rights lawyer who worked on the Enron case, was an adviser to [former UN Secretary-General] Kofi Annan regarding Syria, and was selected for a three-person UN commission investigating rules of war violations in the Gaza Strip,” Fey said. “So tonight, her husband is getting a Lifetime Achievement Award.”) was a perfect commentary on those who talk and those who walk the walk. And the Cosby joke (imitating him saying he “put the pills in the people”) spoke volumes.
Best dressed: Prince
Perfect in lame, with glistening hair and a white cane.
This year’s John Travolta moment: Katie Holmes
Katie Holmes could not pronounce Matt Bomer’s last name when she read the nominees for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries. It’s five letters, Katie — one less than your last name. And it’s a long vowel on the “o.”
Worst repartee: Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader
When they presented the Best Screenplay award, they tried to get some laughs by talking about the funniest moments from movies they liked. Except that neither the “Bridesmaids” star nor the “SNL” star was funny.
Biggest surprise win: ‘Transparent’ for Best Comedy Series
A big night for fledgling content provider Amazon. Jeffrey Tambor took home an acting award (not a surprise) for his performance as a transgendered person.
Most welcome return: Ricky Gervais
True: The drink onstage is getting a little sticky, but Gervais never fails to thrill. “Famous people are above the law, as it should be,” he said, musing aloud to Meryl Streep and other luminaries about “all the terrible things you did to get here.” He also confessed that he loved to watch the Travolta mispronunciation of Idina Menzel’s name at the Oscars last year on YouTube.
Most overused phrase: ‘Je suis Charlie’
It’s nice that everyone from Jared Leto to George Clooney was empathetic to the murders in Paris last week, but these Hollywood types really never know when enough is enough.
Best masquerade: Margaret Cho
Cho, dressed as North Korean soldier Cho Jong-un, appeared at the Globes, in a skit with Fey and Poehler, holding a fan magazine with Kim Jong-un on the cover and declaring his obsession with Meryl Streep. Streep rose uneasily from her seat, and then Michael Keaton posed as a paparazzi photographer. Trying to upstage them all, Benedict Cumberbatch jumped out of his seat in the distance. It wasn’t quite the Samsung selfie moment from last year’s Oscars, though everyone meant well.
Biggest blowhard: Kevin Spacey
Winning an award he did not deserve — Best Actor, TV Drama, for “House of Cards” — Spacey got up onstage (with his drink — ugh!) and launched into a windbag speech about how grateful he is to be an actor and how he just wants to be the best. Yawnsville.
The McConaissance is officially over
Matthew McConaughey did not win the Golden Globe for his performance in “True Detective,” repeating his loss in the same category at the Emmys last summer. Can we all move on now?