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January 16, 2012

The Best Frozen Moments from the 2012 Golden Globes

By Josh Wolk

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This wasn’t the most riveting Golden Globes. Ricky Gervais’ jokes weren’t as biting as he’d promised, and there weren’t that many awards (or movies) to get excited about. Which is why viewers had to look away from the stage for their entertainment: The best, most revealing moments often came when studying the audience, watching how the stars reacted either when they didn’t realize anyone was watching, or when they were absolutely sure of it. Some moments were intentionally funny, some candidly odd, but all worth freeze-framing and preserving for posterity. Click on to see the most memorable of the evening.

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1 / 24 Photos
Look, white-haired guy, we all knew that Albert Brooks was going to lose to Christopher Plummer, and the rest of the night the audience cameras were going to be solely interested in zooming in on Brad, George, Angelina, Leo and The Help table. So you couldn't let Brooks have his one close-up without jamming your head in the way? Look, white-haired guy, we all knew that Albert Brooks was going to lose to Christopher Plummer, and the rest of the night the audience cameras were going to be solely interested in zooming in on Brad, George, Angelina, Leo and The Help table. So you couldn't let Brooks have his one close-up without jamming your head in the way?

Look, white-haired guy, we all knew that Albert Brooks was going to lose to Christopher Plummer, and the rest of the night the audience cameras were g...

Look, white-haired guy, we all knew that Albert Brooks was going to lose to Christopher Plummer, and the rest of the night the audience cameras were going to be solely interested in zooming in on Brad, George, Angelina, Leo and The Help table. So you couldn't let Brooks have his one close-up without jamming your head in the way?

I'll be damned, thinks Mila Kunis, fresh off shooting Oz: The Great and Powerful, with James Franco. James was right: An odd sense of peace does wash over you when you're in the midst of crappy awards-show banter. I'll be damned, thinks Mila Kunis, fresh off shooting Oz: The Great and Powerful, with James Franco. James was right: An odd sense of peace does wash over you when you're in the midst of crappy awards-show banter.

I'll be damned, thinks Mila Kunis, fresh off shooting Oz: The Great and Powerful, with James Franco. James was right: An odd sense of peace does wash ...

I'll be damned, thinks Mila Kunis, fresh off shooting Oz: The Great and Powerful, with James Franco. James was right: An odd sense of peace does wash over you when you're in the midst of crappy awards-show banter.

It remains unclear whether this is a dream come true for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association president, or a hostage situation. It remains unclear whether this is a dream come true for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association president, or a hostage situation.

It remains unclear whether this is a dream come true for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association president, or a hostage situation.

Zooey Deschanel is contractually obligated to act like she just pooped a Smurf, even when she is being mocked for it. Zooey Deschanel is contractually obligated to act like she just pooped a Smurf, even when she is being mocked for it.

Zooey Deschanel is contractually obligated to act like she just pooped a Smurf, even when she is being mocked for it.

It was a pleasant surprise that some NBC exec didn't run over and shove Whitney Cummings' head in from the other side. It was a pleasant surprise that some NBC exec didn't run over and shove Whitney Cummings' head in from the other side.

It was a pleasant surprise that some NBC exec didn't run over and shove Whitney Cummings' head in from the other side.

Is Nicole Kidman thinking "I'll get you, and your little agent, too!," "Harrison, fetch the Scowlmobile," or "Begin Operation Starkill"? Well, whatever is going through her head, it sure ain't "I am happy for whoever is on the stage!" Is Nicole Kidman thinking "I'll get you, and your little agent, too!," "Harrison, fetch the Scowlmobile," or "Begin Operation Starkill"? Well, whatever is going through her head, it sure ain't "I am happy for whoever is on the stage!"

Is Nicole Kidman thinking "I'll get you, and your little agent, too!," "Harrison, fetch the Scowlmobile," or "Begin Operation...

Is Nicole Kidman thinking "I'll get you, and your little agent, too!," "Harrison, fetch the Scowlmobile," or "Begin Operation Starkill"? Well, whatever is going through her head, it sure ain't "I am happy for whoever is on the stage!"

Friends of Kate Winslet's likely held an intervention after her over-the-top Emmy win, advising her to tone down her "In your face!" celebrations. So she tried to keep it together for this Mildred Pierce win, channeling all her glee into one sharp, quick pound of the table. Friends of Kate Winslet's likely held an intervention after her over-the-top Emmy win, advising her to tone down her "In your face!" celebrations. So she tried to keep it together for this Mildred Pierce win, channeling all her glee into one sharp, quick pound of the table.

Friends of Kate Winslet's likely held an intervention after her over-the-top Emmy win, advising her to tone down her "In your face!" celebra...

Friends of Kate Winslet's likely held an intervention after her over-the-top Emmy win, advising her to tone down her "In your face!" celebrations. So she tried to keep it together for this Mildred Pierce win, channeling all her glee into one sharp, quick pound of the table.

If you like Bridesmaids, Netflix would never predict that you would also like Homeland. And yet, Bridesmaids director Paul Feig is the only one to give Homeland's Best Drama win a standing ovation. So think about that when you try to mathematize taste, Netflix! We contain multitudes! If you like Bridesmaids, Netflix would never predict that you would also like Homeland. And yet, Bridesmaids director Paul Feig is the only one to give Homeland's Best Drama win a standing ovation. So think about that when you try to mathematize taste, Netflix! We contain multitudes!

If you like Bridesmaids, Netflix would never predict that you would also like Homeland. And yet, Bridesmaids director Paul Feig is the only one to giv...

If you like Bridesmaids, Netflix would never predict that you would also like Homeland. And yet, Bridesmaids director Paul Feig is the only one to give Homeland's Best Drama win a standing ovation. So think about that when you try to mathematize taste, Netflix! We contain multitudes!

Adding insult to injury, the fist-clenching, squinty expression made by Ludovic Bource on the way to claiming his Best Original Score trophy for The Artist is actually a direct imitation of Lorenzo Lamas' expression on Falcon Crest…a show that Kim Novak did a guest arc on in 1986-87! Will you not be happy until you've sent that poor woman into her panic room, Bource? Adding insult to injury, the fist-clenching, squinty expression made by Ludovic Bource on the way to claiming his Best Original Score trophy for The Artist is actually a direct imitation of Lorenzo Lamas' expression on Falcon Crest…a show that Kim Novak did a guest arc on in 1986-87! Will you not be happy until you've sent that poor woman into her panic room, Bource?

Adding insult to injury, the fist-clenching, squinty expression made by Ludovic Bource on the way to claiming his Best Original Score trophy for The A...

Adding insult to injury, the fist-clenching, squinty expression made by Ludovic Bource on the way to claiming his Best Original Score trophy for The Artist is actually a direct imitation of Lorenzo Lamas' expression on Falcon Crest…a show that Kim Novak did a guest arc on in 1986-87! Will you not be happy until you've sent that poor woman into her panic room, Bource?

By gamely thumbs-upping Ricky Gervais' jokes about The Beaver, Jodie Foster is relieved that she can finally end an exhausting year of graciously enduring Mel Gibson jokes and...oh fuck, the Oscars. Sigh. By gamely thumbs-upping Ricky Gervais' jokes about The Beaver, Jodie Foster is relieved that she can finally end an exhausting year of graciously enduring Mel Gibson jokes and...oh fuck, the Oscars. Sigh.

By gamely thumbs-upping Ricky Gervais' jokes about The Beaver, Jodie Foster is relieved that she can finally end an exhausting year of graciously endu...

By gamely thumbs-upping Ricky Gervais' jokes about The Beaver, Jodie Foster is relieved that she can finally end an exhausting year of graciously enduring Mel Gibson jokes and...oh fuck, the Oscars. Sigh.

Upon winning Best Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, Idris "Stringer Bell" Elba embraces Dominic "McNulty" West. Clearly Israel and Palestine are feeling mighty silly about not being able to resolve their differences right about now. Upon winning Best Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, Idris "Stringer Bell" Elba embraces Dominic "McNulty" West. Clearly Israel and Palestine are feeling mighty silly about not being able to resolve their differences right about now.

Upon winning Best Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, Idris "Stringer Bell" Elba embraces Dominic "McNulty" West. Clearly Israel and P...

Upon winning Best Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, Idris "Stringer Bell" Elba embraces Dominic "McNulty" West. Clearly Israel and Palestine are feeling mighty silly about not being able to resolve their differences right about now.

Elton John has been famous for too long to have to pretend to be amused by Madonna. Elton John has been famous for too long to have to pretend to be amused by Madonna.

Elton John has been famous for too long to have to pretend to be amused by Madonna.

Dustin Hoffman has been famous for too long to have to pretend to give a shit about any of this. Dustin Hoffman has been famous for too long to have to pretend to give a shit about any of this.

Dustin Hoffman has been famous for too long to have to pretend to give a shit about any of this.

If Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet aren't doing a revival of The Odd Couple on Broadway in 2032, then everything we know about show business is wrong. If Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet aren't doing a revival of The Odd Couple on Broadway in 2032, then everything we know about show business is wrong.

If Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet aren't doing a revival of The Odd Couple on Broadway in 2032, then everything we know about show business...

If Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet aren't doing a revival of The Odd Couple on Broadway in 2032, then everything we know about show business is wrong.

When the director didn't cut to Mike White after Laura Dern thanked him, the Enlightened creator was determined to show off his new whitened teeth one way or another. When the director didn't cut to Mike White after Laura Dern thanked him, the Enlightened creator was determined to show off his new whitened teeth one way or another.

When the director didn't cut to Mike White after Laura Dern thanked him, the Enlightened creator was determined to show off his new whitened teeth one...

When the director didn't cut to Mike White after Laura Dern thanked him, the Enlightened creator was determined to show off his new whitened teeth one way or another.

The "back five seconds" button on our nation's DVRs have never been used by so many people simultaneously as when we all said, as one, "Hold on, was that Chris Tucker?" The "back five seconds" button on our nation's DVRs have never been used by so many people simultaneously as when we all said, as one, "Hold on, was that Chris Tucker?"

The "back five seconds" button on our nation's DVRs have never been used by so many people simultaneously as when we all said, as one, "...

The "back five seconds" button on our nation's DVRs have never been used by so many people simultaneously as when we all said, as one, "Hold on, was that Chris Tucker?"

For old times sake, Matt LeBlanc tosses the camera a "How you doin'"? For old times sake, Matt LeBlanc tosses the camera a "How you doin'"?

For old times sake, Matt LeBlanc tosses the camera a "How you doin'"?

Now that Hung has been canceled, Thomas Jane is pitching a new show all over town, Hatsy Muldoon. This thing sells itself! Now that Hung has been canceled, Thomas Jane is pitching a new show all over town, Hatsy Muldoon. This thing sells itself!

Now that Hung has been canceled, Thomas Jane is pitching a new show all over town, Hatsy Muldoon. This thing sells itself!

Always the consummate talk show host, Jimmy Fallon animatedly laughs at Helen Mirren's Morgan Freeman tribute even when nobody else does... Always the consummate talk show host, Jimmy Fallon animatedly laughs at Helen Mirren's Morgan Freeman tribute even when nobody else does...

Always the consummate talk show host, Jimmy Fallon animatedly laughs at Helen Mirren's Morgan Freeman tribute even when nobody else does...

...while Morgan Freeman himself feels no such need. ...while Morgan Freeman himself feels no such need.

...while Morgan Freeman himself feels no such need.

Ben Kingsley and his wife Daniela Lavender never got a cutesy couple name like Brangelina, so they have to be content with their current nicknames, Sir Grins and Lady Grindsalot. Ben Kingsley and his wife Daniela Lavender never got a cutesy couple name like Brangelina, so they have to be content with their current nicknames, Sir Grins and Lady Grindsalot.

Ben Kingsley and his wife Daniela Lavender never got a cutesy couple name like Brangelina, so they have to be content with their current nicknames, Si...

Ben Kingsley and his wife Daniela Lavender never got a cutesy couple name like Brangelina, so they have to be content with their current nicknames, Sir Grins and Lady Grindsalot.

It's funny just how different some actors are from their characters. It's funny just how different some actors are from their characters.

It's funny just how different some actors are from their characters.

The Help furthered the rich tradition of America's racist past being challenged in film. And when the Globes cut to The Help cast after Ricky Gervais made a joke about Colin Firth being racist, the show's director continued the rich tradition of awards shows reflexively cutting to black people the second anything remotely African-American is mentioned, no matter how inappropriate. The Help furthered the rich tradition of America's racist past being challenged in film. And when the Globes cut to The Help cast after Ricky Gervais made a joke about Colin Firth being racist, the show's director continued the rich tradition of awards shows reflexively cutting to black people the second anything remotely African-American is mentioned, no matter how inappropriate.

The Help furthered the rich tradition of America's racist past being challenged in film. And when the Globes cut to The Help cast after Ricky Gervais ...

The Help furthered the rich tradition of America's racist past being challenged in film. And when the Globes cut to The Help cast after Ricky Gervais made a joke about Colin Firth being racist, the show's director continued the rich tradition of awards shows reflexively cutting to black people the second anything remotely African-American is mentioned, no matter how inappropriate.

Piper Perabo looks so unhappy with The Artist's win for Best Film (Comedy or Musical) that one would suspect she'd once been punched by a mime. Piper Perabo looks so unhappy with The Artist's win for Best Film (Comedy or Musical) that one would suspect she'd once been punched by a mime.

Piper Perabo looks so unhappy with The Artist's win for Best Film (Comedy or Musical) that one would suspect she'd once been punched by a mime.

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