From the moment Andy Samberg and Sandra Oh took the stage, at the 2019 Golden Globe awards on Sunday, January 6, it was very clear that the tenor and tone of this year's festivities would be very different. The hosts’ versions of “scorched earth” with the Celebrities included Samberg saying he that he wished Jeff Bridges “was my dad.” The harshest jab involved moving Jim Carrey, from the movie section in front, to join his TV counterparts further away. Naturally, the comedian played it for all it was worth, taking his dinner along so as not to leave any trace of his DNA.

Taking the separation in stride, Carrey made binoculars of the glass tableware to view the privileged section from afar.

Sandra Oh became serious and reflective saying “I see you,” to this year’s colorful, diverse, and richly female and ethnic congregation of Golden Globe attendees and honorees, noting that they were “faces of change,” following last year's somber “all black” wardrobe statement in support of #TimesUp and #MeToo. She still gave sharp barbs to her industry over the lack of female directors, talking in caveman dialect that “man” and “pair of man” usually get preference over a woman.

In her win for “Killing Eve,” the Korean star bowed to her parents in gratitude. The theme of paying respect to family prevailed throughout the proceedings.

Lady Gaga made a statement with her stunning aqua gown, deliberately chosen to be a tribute to Judy Garland, who starred in the 1954 second saga of “A Star Is Born.” Lady Gaga's 2018 heart- wrenching retelling of the story, revolving around the throes of addiction, ambition, and once-in-a-lifetime love, was widely predicted to earn the multitalented performer a Golden Globe as Best Actress.

Bradley Cooper was also believed to be a shoo-in for earning his filmmaker credentials as director. Sometimes, surprise overtakes supposed sure things, but Lady Gaga still got a celebration for her gift of song.

Music was and musicians were celebrated and acclaimed in many ways by the close of the night.

Not a shallow tribute

Producer-musician, Mark Ronson, made it to the podium and the microphone first, offering to speak because Lady Gaga was “indisposed” with both emotion and the expansive volume of her train.

Ronson offered profuse thanks for the award of Best Original Song for “Shallow” to Bradley Cooper, who made the song and its meanings central to the film’s story. The producer also gave credit to Lukas Nelson and his band, Promise of the Real, for their contribution in the bulk of the music, and bringing “beauty and kick-a**” to the songs in equal measure.

As Ronson continued thanking individual songwriters, Lady Gaga interjected to ensure that the engineer, who mixed “Shallow” 18 times” got his due. She was clearly taken by surprise when Mark Ronson continued, calling her “the captain of the SS “Shallow,” noting that the “genius comes from you” as well as the “devastatingly beautiful performance.” She thanked the production team by name before a final “I love you” to Cooper.

Oscar-winner, Glenn Close, would provide one of the delightful inspirations of the ceremony, taking the Best Actress trophy for “The Wife.” Both the reaction and the words of acceptance from the activist-actress, who extolled that women must “follow our dreams,” harkening back to the subservience she remembered in her own mother, was replay worthy.

Regina King, who won Best Supporting Actress for “If Beale Street Could Talk,” also affirmed that she would continue to use her platform to promote women, and pledged to maintain a ratio of 50% women in her future projects. She challenged peers to do the same.

Music takes control

“Green Book” was one of the earlier film releases in the year, co-written and produced by Peter Farrelly, the brother of Bobby, and half of the sibling team known best for more sophomoric comedies and dark humor efforts.

Audiences immediately took to the film, rating it very high in satisfaction surveys. Popularity notwithstanding, when “Green Book ” was named Best Picture Musical or Comedy and Mahershala Ali as Best Supporting Actor in his role as Dr. Don Shirley, an approving, yet somewhat stunned, a roar was heard.

The film's entire team made it clear that the film was far more than a “buddy movie” of pre-civil rights era 60s in the South. After the music to rush recipients offstage was hushed, the cry to find “common ground” was echoed. Music is a uniting force, even in these desperately divided times. In Ali’s acceptance, he praised Dr. Shirley as “a brilliant man,” graciously giving thanks for his “passion, his virtuosity, and the dignity with which he carried himself.” Great music, through gifted hands and voices, is another vessel of change.

No one under Freddie Mercury's aura had to wonder about his passion. The Queen frontman poured every ounce of himself into every performance, and he imparted the sense that he could go on forever if time and space permitted. Rami Malek truly still seemed in awe of taking his prize as Freddie Mercury in “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The star had the full support of Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor from his table, offering warm hugs. “Authenticity and inclusivity exist in music and in the world, and in all of us” insisted Malek. Lastly, he gave thanks to Mercury for “the joy of a lifetime” which is also what Freddie Mercury brought to fans. “I love you, you beautiful man,” gushed the actor. He proved his love by keeping the prosthetic teeth for the role and having them cast in gold.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” crowned the night as Best Picture Drama, in another unforeseen surprise, and back home, Lady Gaga enjoyed a bowl of Fruity Pebbles cereal with her beau, Christian, and her new golden companion.
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