The People’s Choice Awards and the Golden Globes has already started off this years award season on a comedic, slightly political, foot.
The People’s Choice Awards started off with a bang with performances by Lady Antebellum, named favorite country group, Fall Out Boy and Iggy Azalea voted favorite hip hop artist.
Hosts and co-stars of the TV show “Mom,” entertained the crowd with comedic skits teaming up with the cast of “The Big Bang Theory” and a cameo with Chris Pratt, Guardians of the Galaxy star and husband to Anna Ferris.
“The Big Bang Theory” won for favorite TV show. Favorite male/female artist went to Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. Favorite movie actor/actress was awarded to Robert Downey Jr. and Jennifer Lawrence.
Ben Affleck received the favorite humanitarian award for his work with the Congo, creating the Eastern Congo Initiative and producing a short film to educate people on the issues happening in the country.
For favorite TV icon the award was given to Betty White who was escorted by Chris Evans and her date to the stage. In White’s speech she stated “when Melissa McCarthy came up she said she’d stay with us as long as you let her, well you’ve abused the privilege with me…can you imagine the people’s choice at 93! I mean that’s ridiculous.”
While the people chose the winners for the People’s Choice Awards, Hollywood was able to personally honor their own at the Golden Globes.
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted again this year adding their comedic flair to the night. The dynamic duo poked fun at the Sony hack, Bill Cosby and George Clooney among other stars and also made comments about the situation with North Korea while actress and comedian Margaret Cho dressed up as a North Korean army general all through the show.
These comedic political and social comments set the tone for many acceptance speeches regarding race, free speech and female roles in society and in the entertainment industry.
Common and John Legend accepted the award for best original song in the movie Selma and in their speech touched on social issues. They spoke about human rights and the people who not only helped with with the civil rights movement, such as what happened in Selma, but also the events that are happening in Paris.
The Head of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Theo Kingma, made a speech about the importance of freedom of speech saying that “together we will stand united against anyone that will repress free speech. Anywhere, from North Korea to Paris.”
Jill Soloway creator of the show “Transparent,” touched on the issues the transgender community face while accepting the award for best TV comedy dedicating the award to the memory of Leelah Alcorn and to her own parent who is transgender.
Although George Clooney was honored for his contribution to the world of entertainment with the Cecil B. DeMille award, his wife Amal Alamuddin was honored by Tina and Amy in their opening speech for being a contribution to the world with her humanitarian work.
Maggie Gyllenhaal also made a comment when accepting the award for best actress in a miniseries or TV movie about the “wealth of roles for actual women in television and in film.”
Aside from the speeches given some of the awards given were Boyhood for best picture, drama and best director, Richard Linklater. Best comedy picture went to The Grand Budapest Hotel, best screenplay went to Birdman and best drama series went to “The Affair.”
The People’s Choice Awards and the Golden Globes were just the start of the season. On February 8 the Grammy’s will be aired on CBS with performances by Madonna, AC/DC, Arianna Grande, Eric Church and Ed Sheeran all at the Staples Center.
Then On February 22nd the Academy Awards will air on ABC and will be hosted by Neil Patrick Harris.
