Yesterday, the world’s eyes turned to a brave group of people who joined ranks to walk together, arm in arm in demonstration, and proudly defend the right to free expression at whatever the cost. Also, millions rallied in Paris over the Charlie Hebdo attacks, but arguably just as importantly—at least, given the tenor of speeches by the likes of George Clooney and Jared Leto—Hollywood gathered for the Golden Globes. There it praised itself for having the courage to continue making movies and TV shows despite threats from terrorists and North Korea, which continued to exert its stranglehold over American show business with an interminable gag where Margaret Cho pretended to be a North Korean general. The right to freedom of expression, after all, is not without its consequences.
Before they were abducted and forced into servitude for the most dubious North Korea-related comedy since The Interview, hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reminded everyone why they will be sorely missed next year—for the approximately seven minutes the Golden Globes “host” actually does anything—with a few sharp monologue jabs. The one everyone is talking about today: Fey and Poehler’s dueling Bill Cosby impressions, which addressed the rape allegations against him in much the same way Fey and Poehler did on Saturday Night Live the last time those rape allegations surfaced, 10 years ago. All in all, it showed just how much someone needs to get some new material, Bill Cosby.
But it wasn’t all North Korea and rape accusations; there were also some moments of seriousness. As one of the first winners of the night, Downton Abbey’s Joanne Froggatt set the tone with an acceptance speech that was dedicated to real-life survivors of sexual assault, while Transparent—which took home both best comedy and best actor for Jeffrey Tambor—used both of its moments to extend the spotlight to the transgender community and teenager Leelah Alcorn, whose recent suicide has made her a tragic icon. And Selma’s best song winners Common and John Legend used their time for a speech from Common, who expressed empathy for both unarmed black teens killed by cops and the two slain NYPD officers, while saying working on the movie had “awakened my humanity.” All the while, Legend’s wife Chrissy Teigen watched from the audience, the complex emotions of this fractious time in America captured in her face.
Other speeches took a more personal bent, with first-time winner Kevin Spacey dedicating his House Of Cards nod to filmmaker Stanley Kramer, while also saying the word “fuck,” certain that the network bloodhounds were too stupid and lazy to recognize when a fox had stolen into the henhouse. Birdman’s Michael Keaton celebrated his Best Actor win by getting choked up while talking about his family—and specifically his son, Sean, whom he described as his “best friend.” The Internet, for its part, described him as “bangable,” while also pointing out that he’s the composer behind many fine songs about butts.
And in the show’s centerpiece, lifetime achievement winner George Clooney reminded the audience how extraordinarily lucky they all were to be famous, quoted Robin Williams from Dead Poets Society, offered a heartfelt tribute to his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, and ended with another allusion to the Charlie Hebdo tragedy, with Clooney saying, “We will not walk in fear. We won’t do it. Je Suis Charlie.” (Miles way, Clooney and Keaton’s fellow Batman Val Kilmer delivered a rousing speech to his living room.)
Also, some awards were given out. Among the surprises: The Grand Budapest Hotel overtook presumed favorite Birdman in the Best Comedy or Musical category. The Affair triumphed in the Best Drama category—overtaking presumed favorite “anything but The Affair”—and Fargo’s big wins for Best Miniseries and for Billy Bob Thornton officially brought an end to the era of Matthew McConaughey giving acceptance speeches for True Detective, which a bedraggled McConaughey had already left behind by riding time’s flat circle all the way back to the Civil War. Who needs a Golden Globe, anyway? All Matthew McConaughey needs is salt pork and tobaccy.
Elsewhere, The Lego Movie somehow lost out to How To Train Your Dragon 2, which confirms long-held suspicions that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association hates the Danish. But that decision aside, it also loves to anoint newcomers, which led to big wins for Jane The Virgin’s breakout star, Gina Rodriguez. (Given last year’s win in the same category for Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Andy Samberg, Jane The Virgin can look forward to being entirely shut out next year.)
And it was also a big night for Internet streaming services, with original series on Netflix and Amazon all but dominating the TV categories, and only a single win for erstwhile powerhouse HBO in Matt Bomer’s nod for The Normal Heart. But mostly it was a big night for Boyhood, whose victory was a “surprise” only in the sense that it felt deserved, yet somehow it came from the Golden Globes. Controversial to the last.
Anyway, here’s the full list of winners. If you want to relive the show as it happened while frustratingly trying to piece together the context, click here to replay our live-chat.
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie: Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey
Best Miniseries or TV Movie: Fargo
Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie: Billy Bob Thorton, Fargo
Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy: Gina Rodriguez, Jane The Virgin
Best TV Series, Comedy or Musical: Transparent
Best Original Score: Johann Johannsson, The Theory Of Everything
Best Original Song, Motion Picture: “Glory,” John Legend & Common, Selma
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie: Matt Bomer, The Normal Heart
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: Amy Adams, Big Eyes
Best Animated Feature Film: How To Train Your Dragon 2
Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Best Screenplay: Alejandro González Iñárritu, Birdman
Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical: Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent
Best Foreign Language Film: Leviathan
Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie: Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Honorable Woman
Best TV Series, Drama: The Affair
Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama: Kevin Spacey, House Of Cards
Best Director: Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama: Ruth Wilson, The Affair
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: Michael Keaton, Birdman
Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory Of Everything
Best Motion Picture, Drama: Boyhood