Biggest moments you missed at the Golden Globes, from Jennifer Lawrence to Cillian Murphy

Author: Patrick Ryan Source: USA Today

January 8, 2024 at 09:06

Taylor Swift at the Golden Globes. (Photo by Michael TRAN / AFP)

Awkward, absurd yet all-around satisfying … yes, the Golden Globes are back.

Sunday’s awards show saw atomic-bomb drama “Oppenheimer” and HBO’s hit “Succession” run away with the lion’s share of trophies, but it was the unexpected moments that made the night. Andra Day and Jon Batiste were a hilarious duo presenting a pair of music prizes, as were “Barbie” co-stars Issa Rae and Simu Liu, as they riffed on all the “white people roles” they long to play. “Succession” star Kieran Culkin jokingly told Pedro Pascal to “suck it” during his acceptance speech, while “The Bear” actress Ayo Edebiri hyperventilated during her time onstage, apologizing to all the people she forgot to thank, “unless you were mean or something.”

Megawatt couples Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, as well as Ali Wong and Bill Hader, also made their romances known with PDA throughout the show. And Margot Robbie won the red carpet with yet another “Barbie”-inspired look, recreating a 1977 dress worn by the Mattel doll.

Here are some of the other major moments you might’ve missed:

Jo Koy bombs with opening monologue, Taylor Swift joke

72145482007 2450438 1746 b — Good pals Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift
shared a hug at the Golden Globes.
Todd Williamson, CBS

The stand-up comedian had a rough go in his first outing as Globes host, earning groans and even some boos during his opening monologue for off-color jokes about “Barbie” (“a plastic doll with big boobies”) and “The Color Purple” (“what happens to your butt when you take Ozempic”), among others. Koy tried to brush off the negative reactions and blame the writers, saying he got the job just 10 days ago: “You want a perfect monologue? Shut up!”

Later, Koy had another cringey moment when he took a lame jab at Taylor Swift and her public romance with Kansas City Chiefs player Travis Kelce. “The big difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL? At the Golden Globes, we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift," the comic said. Swift appeared unamused when the camera cut to her, staring straight ahead as she sipped from her drink.

Jennifer Lawrence goes viral with excited reaction to Emma Stone’s win

'No Hard Feelings' star Jennifer Lawrence was Golden Globe-nominated for best comedy actress. — "No Hard Feelings"star Jennifer Lawrence was Golden Globe-nominated for best comedy actress. Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY

Jennifer Lawrence had “No Hard Feelings” about Emma Stone’s best comedy actress win for “Poor Things.” When their category was announced Sunday night, Lawrence jokingly mouthed to the camera, “If I don’t win, I’m leaving.” But when Stone’s name was called, Lawrence jumped up screaming and clapping in elation, in a delightful clip that quickly spread across social media. Lawrence could later be seen tearing up as Stone delivered her speech, while their mutual friend, Taylor Swift, also gave a standing ovation.

Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr. charm in ‘Oppenheimer’ acceptance speeches

Cillian Murphy brought home best drama actor for 'Oppenheimer' at the Golden Globes. Sonja Flemming/Pool Via USA TODAY NETWORK — Cillian Murphy brought home best drama actor for "Oppenheimer" at the Golden Globes. Sonja Flemming/Pool Via USA TODAY NETWORK

“Oppenheimer” star Cillian Murphy claimed the broadcast’s cutest moment when he won best drama actor, receiving a big kiss from his wife, Yvonne McGuinness, who tried to wipe her makeup off his face. “First question, do I have lipstick all over my nose?” Murphy asked when he got onstage. “I was going to leave it.”

Murphy’s “Oppenheimer” co-star, Robert Downey Jr., was similarly endearing when he won best supporting actor. “Yeah, yeah, I took a beta blocker so this is going to be a breeze,” Downey Jr. said. “A sweeping story about the ethical dilemma of nuclear weapons grosses one billion dollars, does that track? No.” He continued by thanking his agents: “They had the gall to say I needed to re-start my career. It’s so fun proving agents right.”

Lily Gladstone, Paul Giamatti end the show on a high note

72146378007 usp entertainment entertainment 81st annual gold 1 — "Killers of the Flower Moon" star Lily Gladstone
poses with her Golden Globe Award.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY

The night wrapped with two of the night’s best speeches: Lily Gladstone, taking best drama actress for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and becoming the first Indigenous performer to win in the category. Onstage, she spoke in the Blackfeet language and dedicated her award to “every little (reservation) kid, every little urban kid, every little Native kid out there who has a dream and is seeing themselves represented in our stories told by ourselves, in our own words, with tremendous allies and tremendous trust from within, from each other.”

“The Holdovers” star Paul Giamatti also delivered a moving speech for best comedy actor, playing a teacher in Alexander Payne’s holiday dramedy. “My whole family, they’re teachers,” he said. "Teachers are good people. Got to respect them. They do a good thing. It’s a tough job, so this is for teachers as well.”

‘Beef’ star Steven Yeun compares himself to Disney ‘Frozen’ heroine

72146480007 usp entertainment entertainment 81st annual gold 3 — "Beef"star Steven Yeun took home
the Golden Globe for best actor in a limited series.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY

Ali Wong and Steven Yeun took home best actress and actor, respectively, for Netflix limited TV series “Beef.” Yeun earned laughs from the crowd for his sweet shout-out to his daughter and Disney’s animated hit “Frozen.”

“So weird, the story I usually tell of myself to myself is one of isolation and, like, separateness, and then you come up here and you have this moment and you can only just think about everyone else,” Yeun said onstage. “And that feels like the plot of ‘Frozen,’ I just noticed. Shout-out to my daughter Ruthie, family movie night!"

Christopher Nolan pays tribute to ‘The Dark Knight’ star Heath Ledger

'Oppenheimer' producers Christopher Nolan, left, and Emma Thomas pose with their Golden Globes. Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY — "Oppenheimer" producers Christopher Nolan, left, and
Emma Thomas pose with their Golden Globes.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY

After six nominations, Nolan finally won his first Golden Globe for best director. Accepting the award, the “Oppenheimer” filmmaker honored the late Heath Ledger, whose terrifying portrayal of the Joker anchored Nolan’s 2008 Batman film “The Dark Knight.”

"The only time I've ever been on this stage before was accepting one of these on behalf of our dear friend, Heath Ledger, and that was complicated and challenging for me,” Nolan said. "And in the middle of speaking, I looked down at Robert Downey Jr., who caught my eye and gave me a look of support. The same look he’s giving me now – the same love and support he showed so many people in your community over the years.”

'Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig can't stop the beat in Globes' funniest gag

one thing about Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell…they’re gonna do a bit while presenting at an awards show!#GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/uhtK0LrM85
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) January 8, 2024

Why couldn’t have Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig hosted the Globes? The beloved presenters were the most entertaining people at Sunday’s show, with a silly bit about how they couldn’t stop dancing to their “favorite” song, a jaunty yet nondescript piece of instrumental music. “Will, let’s just be honest with everyone,” Wiig said. “Guys, this song does something to us, as you can see,” Ferrell added. “And whoever’s putting on the show tonight knows this!” The audience got a kick out of the gag, with Jennifer Lopez and Andrew Scott boogieing in their seats, and Matt Damon wiping away tears of laughter.