Everything I need to know, I learned from the 2015 Golden Globes

A lot happened at last night’s Golden Globes. Really, a lot. Here are some of the stand-out moments and serious takeaways I gathered from watching the super-duper-star-packed awards show in my PJs.

1. Even Benedict Cumberbatch can be star struck

When Cumberbatch presented with Jennifer Aniston, he was star-struck, and even if it was a joke, I appreciated it, because the main thing is that JENNIFER ANISTON IS THE QUEEN.

2. Transparent’s win was so, so important

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUAunx8tZ5A

There aren’t any jokes here. The fact that Transparent won so many awards tonight is huge. The fact that Jill Soloway spoke for trans rights, and spoke for Leelah Alcorn, and spoke for everything that has ever mattered in the history of humans was HUGE. I am a person who stands up for equality, and I am a person who cares about humanity, but having everything recognized on a huge stage in Hollywood is very important to me. And if it is important to me, it must be important to the people it affects on a daily basis.

3. John Legend and Common NEEDED to win. And they did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtGXelsiFuI

I shouted out loud about John Legend and Common winning the Best Original Song for “Glory.” I needed them to win. God, did I love “Opportunity” for Annie, and I appreciate Sia and Lana Del Rey, but I NEEDED Legend and Common to win. And they did. And Common gave a better speech than I could have even dreamed up, but what did I expect from Common? Prince presented the award to Common and John Legend. The speech was important, one of the most important of the night. Thank god for that.

4. Patricia Arquette’s speech about single motherhood was inspiring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSUS8lpyfME

I will attempt to leave out my disappointment in Ethan Hawke’s loss, but I am incredibly touched that Patricia Arquette won. They both deserved it, IMO, but I am glad Arquette won anyway. In her speech, she perfectly recognized both her character and everyone she worked with, but also SINGLE MOTHERS. And maybe I am biased, but the fact that she shouted out single moms is huge.

5. ER is a show that should be recognized…

. . .forever. I watched ER growing up. I watched it on syndication at my mom’s work on Sunday afternoons, two at a time, when I was a kid. I watched it as I grew up. I watched it through George Clooney, and Maura Tierney, and Mekhi Phifer. I love that show, and I think it is incredible, and I am happy at any reference of it ever. AND, all of that being said, Julianna Marguiles presenting the Cecil B. Demille award to George Clooney is like the BEST.

6. George Clooney deserves another award, just for the speech he gave last night.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QEFV0YQwnA

George Clooney was the most important part of the entire show, CALL ME CRAZY. But his speech, from his political savy-ness to the love for his wife to the shoutout to France, was the best part of the whole show. Even if you wanted to dislike George Clooney, he makes it impossible to do so.

7. You can’t watch Michael Keaton’s speech about his son without crying. 

.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULO44K1JnhQ

Michael Keaton (who I am happy that he won) made one of the best speeches of the night, talking about his son. Now, we didn’t know he was talking about his son, but he was, which made it even more touching that his punchline was so deep. (See 3:30) All I remember was the word “kind.”

8. Taking a gamble is worth it. See: Boyhood.

Now, even though I personally felt like Boyhood should have won more awards, I want to recognize the fact that it won Best Picture (Drama). Boyhood was incredible. It was unique (filmed over the course of 12 years) and it is incredible, and it touched me every minute of the show. I hope that it passes through to the Oscars TENFOLD, meaning I hope that it wins everything (including Best Supporting Actor) come February 22nd, but regardless, I am happy that it was recognized for what it is.

9. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are truly the best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_XUSOLVRzA

Please re-watch their opening speech where they address the Sony hack, Bill Cosby (in a major way), and play a rousing game of Who Would You Rather.  Watch for the joke Tina makes about Selma: “The Civil Rights movement. . .that totally worked and now everything’s fine.” It was a smart way of addressing the racial injustice that’s still happening in America today, and elicited a solid round of laughter-turned-applause. Good work, Fey.

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