Gervais and others pile on the Hollywood Foreign Press

Jan 17, 2011 by Ian Evans

“Aside from the fact that it’s been unusually mean-spirited with mildly sinister undertones, I’d say the vibe of the show is pretty good,” said Robert Downey Jr. after Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais introduced him with references to his rehab and jail stints.

Gervais aimed his jibes at The Tourist, Charlie Sheen and closeted Scientologists but also had several barbs ready for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association who have been making headlines with a variety of lawsuits — they’re suing Dick Clark and their former publicist is suing them — and allegations of payola.

Even Robert De Niro, being honoured with the Cecil B. De Mille Award, got in the act of HFPA-bashing saying that “the important thing is that we are all in this together — the filmmakers who make the movies and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association members who, in turn, pose for pictures with the movie stars.”

On the movie end of things, The Social Network went home with four of the nights statuettes, including Best Motion Picture – Drama.

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