Golden Globes 2019 Honors Sandra Oh, ‘Green Book,’ ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

Sandra Miska

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has spoken, and “Green Book” may have picked up the most awards, but Sandra Oh proved to be the MVP of the night at the 76th Golden Globe Awards. Oh, who not only won Best Actress in a Television Drama for “Killing Eve,” co-hosted the ceremony with “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Andy Samberg, with whom she enjoyed an easy chemistry. In their opening monologue, the pair kept their humor lighthearted, avoiding politics (Trump wasn’t mentioned once during the whole live telecast), focusing on the triumph of diversity this past year. At one point, Oh jokingly called out whitewashing in films like “The Ghost in the Shell” and “Aloha,” eliciting an impromptu apology from Emma Stone, the Caucasian actress who infamously played an Asian woman in the latter. Oh also made history Sunday night, not only for being the first Asian host, but also for becoming the first Asian actress to win multiple Globes (she previously won one in 2006 for her work on “Grey’s Anatomy”).

“Green Book,” the dramedy exploring race relations in the pre-civil rights era Deep South, dominated the film categories, winning three awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali). In his acceptance speech, Ali focused on praising the man he portrayed, Dr. Don Shirley, calling the late pianist, who dealt with adversity for being gay as well as African-American, brilliant and an inspiration. The wins for “Green Book” were considered something of a surprise, considering the recent backlash the film received after being criticized by Dr. Shirley’s family.

In another surprise, “Bohemian Rhapsody” beat top contender “A Star Is Born” for Best Motion Picture – Drama. Lead Rami Malek won Best Actor, and like Ali, he heaped praise on the man he portrayed, in his case LGBTQ musician Freddie Mercury, calling the late Queen singer “a beautiful man.”

Other big winners in film included “Roma,” which not only took Best Foreign Language Film, but also Best Director (Alfonso Cuarón). As predicted, Christian Bale won Best Actor in a Comedy for his portrayal of “charisma-free asshole” Dick Cheney, while Glenn Close was visibly shocked when she was announced as Best Actress in a Drama for “The Wife.” The regal Olivia Colman nabbed Best Actress in a Comedy for “The Favourite,” while Regina King took Best Supporting Actress for “If Beale Street Could Talk.” King used her time on stage to make a promise.

“I am going to use my platform to say right now that in the next two years, everything that I produce and I am making a vow and it’s going to be tough to make sure that everything that I produce, that it’s fifty percent women.”

“A Star Is Born” wasn’t completely shut out, as the musical drama did win one of the five categories in which it was nominated, Best Original Song (“Shallow”). Lady Gaga took the stage along with her male co-writers, including Mark Ronson, tearfully speaking of the difficulties women in the music industry face and thanking the men for lifting her up.

When it came to the television categories, it was a mix of the old and the new guard. Freshmen Netflix series “The Kominsky Method” took Best Comedy Series, while its star, veteran actor Michael Douglas, won Best Actor in a Comedy for his turn as a cantankerous acting coach. “The Americans” won Best Drama Series for its final season, although star Matthew Rhys lost Best Actor in a Drama Series to first-time nominee Richard Madden (“Bodyguard”). For the second year in a row, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star Rachel Brosnahan nabbed Best Actress in a Comedy Series.

When it came to limited series, Darren Criss and Patricia Arquette were honored for their acting in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” and “Escape at Dannemora,” respectively, while Ben Whishaw was a surprise winner in the supporting actor category for “A Very English Scandal.” Double nominee Amy Adams may have gone home empty-handed, but her “Sharp Objects” co-star Patricia Clarkson won Best Supporting Television Actress.

Other highlights of the evening included the presentation of the inaugural Carol Burnett Award, an honor for achievement in television, which went to none other than Carol Burnett. In her speech, the trailblazing comedian stated that her landmark variety program, “The Carol Burnett Show,” which featured a full orchestra and live dancers in addition herself and co-stars, wouldn’t have stood a chance today, claiming no network would foot the bill.

The 2019 Cecil B. DeMille Award went to The Dude himself, Jeff Bridges. In his joyous speech, the actor spoke of his pride in his iconic role in “The Big Lebowski,” as well as lessons he learned throughout his lifelong career.

The 76th Golden Globe Awards took place Jan. 6 in Beverly Hills, CA.