This year's Golden Globes Awards weren't really about the talented winners [1] or the buzzy films and TV shows. Instead, the usually Champagne-soaked event had a more serious tone. With nearly all of its attendees in black [2] to reflect the current climate of putting a lid on sexual harassment, the show confronted Hollywood's ills head-on . . . oh, and still managed to honour the night's winners. There were a lot of moments that made the show worth watching — here they are now.
Seth Meyers Tackles #MeToo, Times Up, and Harvey Weinstein
Seth Meyers knew how sticky of a position he was getting into as the white male host of the Golden Globes in a year like this, but he brought his late-show experience to the night and tackled pretty much every controversial subject head-on [3]. Was it perfect and seamless? No. Some jokes didn't totally land and some were so savage [4], you didn't know if you should laugh, but in general, he navigated the uneven territory pretty admirably.
Sterling K. Brown Makes History
It wasn't just Sterling K. Brown's first Golden Globes win — it was the first time a black man won leading actor in a TV drama. His moving speech [5] was apropos for the history-making win, and even cuter, he didn't even know that he had broken the record [6].
Lady Bird Wins Best Musical or Comedy
Even though Greta Gerwig was shut out of the best director category, she got her due when Lady Bird won the Golden Globe for best musical or comedy (and Saoirse Ronan won best actress!). She was so endearingly nervous and genuinely grateful for the win that it made us appreciate her and the film even more.
James Franco Lets His Brother and His Muse Crash His Speech
James Franco [7] couldn't just accept his best actor in a musical or comedy Golden Globe alone — he brought up brother Dave and the notorious man who inspired (and he played in) The Disaster Artist, Tommy Wiseau [8]. It was giggly, fun, and the same kind of good time as their movie.
Laura Dern's Speech
Laura Dern won best supporting actress for Big Little Lies, and her speech hit the exact right tone [9] for the evening, touching on how important it has been to speak up against injustices. Her costars, including Nicole Kidman [10] and Reese Witherspoon [11], who spoke when the series won for best limited series or movie, did the same thing, using their platform in the most perfect way.
Natalie Portman Roasts the HFPA With the Best Burn of the Night
Natalie Portman [12] and Ron Howard had the task of presenting best director, and just before announcing the nominees, Portman pulled out a surprise — and distinctly well-timed — burn [13]: "And here are the all-male nominees." It was only appropriate on a night when the vast majority of attendees wore black to show solidarity with victims of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment, and with the Time's Up movement [14], which aims to finally achieve gender equality in all industries. Oh, and not to mention the many female directors of fantastic films who were snubbed, including Greta Gerwig, Dee Rees, and Patty Jenkins, to name a (very) few.
Oprah Holds Court
Oprah Winfrey [15] was the recipient of this year's Cecil B. DeMille Award. But let's be real: we needed no reason to celebrate Oprah. Reese Witherspoon's worshipful introduction [16] of her nailed it — and all our feelings for her, especially when Oprah then proceeded to give an electrifying speech [17] on sexual harassment, race, and social injustice. She not only brought the crowd to their feet . . . she kept them there.