He promised not to hold back, and host Ricky Gervais looked set to cause a storm of controversy once again after dropping the F-bomb during the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles today.
Introducing presenters Antonio Banderas, a Spaniard, and Mexican-born Salma Hayek, Gervais complimented both before saying he couldn't "understand a f--ing word" they said.
Gervais took aim at Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber's paternity test in his opening monologue, but saved most of his ammunition for network NBC, which is screening the awards.
Gervais - returning to the awards after a controversial turn at the helm last year - opened the show by taking a swig from a glass of beer.
"So where was I? Nervous? Don't be. This isn't about you," he said.
"Tonight, you get Britain's biggest comedian hosting the world's second biggest award show on America's third biggest network. Oh, sorry, fourth. It's fourth."
Gervais said the Golden Globes were "like the Oscars but without all that esteem."
"The Golden Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton. A bit louder, a bit trashier, a bit drunker and more easily bought. Allegedly. Nothing's been proven."
He said the event's organisers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, had warned him that if he insulted anyone in the audience he would "still be invited back next year."
After criticising The Tourist at last year's ceremony, Gervais asked the night's first presenter Johnny Depp if he had seen the film - in which Depp stars - to which he replied "no."
"Oh boy. He's fun," Depp said, before introducing a clip from one of the films nominated for the Best Drama.
After winning at last year's Golden Globes, Australian actor Guy Pearce missed out on Best Supporting Actor in a Mini-Series or TV Movie to Peter Dinklage for Game of Thrones.
George Clooney won Best Actor for his role in The Descendants, which also won Best Motion Picture Drama.
Michelle Williams won Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn.
"Gosh, you know I consider myself a mother first and an actress second and the first person I want to thank is my daughter. My little girl," Williams said of six-year-old daughter Matilda with the late Australian actor Heath Ledger after picking up the award.
"Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for putting in my hand the same award that Marilyn Monroe herself won over 50 years ago." Monroe won in 1960 for her role in Some Like It Hot.
Meryl Streep won Best Actress for her portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.
The first award of the night went to Christopher Plummer, who was named Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Beginners.
In his acceptance speech, the Canadian-born actor drew laughs for his praise of his co-star, Ewan McGregor, in the comedy-drama, who he referred to as a "scene-stealing swine," and the first tug at the heart-strings of the crowd when he paid tribute to his wife of 43 years, Elaine "whose bravery and beauty haunts me still."
Laura Dern won Best Actress in a TV Comedy or Musical for her role as whistleblower Amy in Enlightened.
"Thank you for everybody in this room and everyone in this category that inspires bravery in the most unlikely places," she said as she paid tribute to "all the whistleblowers out there."
Homeland won Best TV Drama, Downton Abbey won Best TV Mini-Series and Kate Winslet won Best Actress in a TV Mini-Series for Mildred Pierce.
"Thank you for putting me in a category with such heavyweight actresses that I feel thankful to stand aside," Winslet said.
Earlier on the red carpet, Elton John was bleeped when he dropped an F-bomb while speaking about Madonna.
But Madonna had the last laugh - beating John for Best Original Song for her tune Masterpiece from W.E., which she also directed.
Before the announcement John, who was nominated for Hello Hello from Gnomeo and Juliet, was asked to assess his competition, which also included Mary J. Blige, RumorFix reported.
"Mary J. (Blige) might win for The Help - Madonna hasn't got a f---ing chance," the British singer told NBC's Carson Daly.
When Daly responded, "Those are fighting words," John quickly replied, "They're accurate words."
Asked on the red carpet to respond to John's comments, Madonna replied, "Damn him ... May the best man win."
After picking up the award, Madonna thanked her manager Guy Oseary, saying he had harangued her into writing and performing a song for W.E.
"I said 'please Guy I want to focus on being a director and I don't have time' ... but somehow magically and miraculously the song emerged," Madonna said.
She finished her speech by thanking Oseary for being so irritating.
Madonna's outfit also drew criticism from some fashion commentators, and CNN's TV host Piers Morgan, who tweeted, "Oh Madonna, put them away. Please. #NotSoGoldenGlobes."
The 53-year-old teamed her capped sleeved gunmetal sparkling Reem Acra dress with a fingerless glove and cross necklace.
Other stars on the red carpet included George Clooney, Elle Macpherson, Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce, Claire Danes, Julianna Margulies, Chris Colfer, Piper Perabo and Kelly Osbourne rocking grey hair.
The ceremony celebrates the best of film and television both in the US and abroad.
Websites
Golden Globe Awards official website
Media Man News
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Media Man News
