A Gentler Gervais at This Year's Golden Globes

The Academy Awards' dress rehearsals, aka the Golden Globes took place last night in Los Angeles, with one of the main attractions being its host, British comic Ricky Gervais. The Reading-born actor/writer/podcaster/Twitter irritant has built up a bit of a reputation as celebrity roaster par excellence over the last few years – especially while hosting the Globes. You might remember last year's mickey-taking of Johnny Depp's woeful film The Tourist, his Charlie Sheen baiting and this near-the-knuckle effort that got Hollywood gasping:

“[In I Love You, Philip Morris] two heterosexual actors are pretending to be gay - so the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists, then." 

But this year, Gervais – while still being very Gervais-y – had noticeably toned his act down a bit. So while Angelina Jolie wore Versace and Charlize Theron wore Dior, Ricky Gervais still wore the smug grin of narcissistic self-adoration that he always does. But his jokes were just a smidge less jarring this time around. Here's some of the 'highlights' of his performance:

On arrival up to the podium - “So... Where was I?”

About Eddie Murphy pulling out of hosting the Oscars - “When the man who said: 'Yes' to Norbit says, 'No', to you, you know you're in trouble. I love Eddie Murphy. He loves dressing up. He's versatile.”

About Kim Kardashian's marriage - “Seventy-two days - a marriage that lasted 72 days. I've sat through longer James Cameron speeches.”

“Justin Bieber nearly had to take a paternity test. What a waste of a test that would have been. 'No, he's not the father. The only way that he could have impregnated a girl was if he borrowed one of Martha Stewart's old turkey basters.”

“I've been told I'm not allowed to mention Jodie Foster's Beaver. I haven't seen it myself. I've spoken to a lot of guys - they haven't seen it either but that doesn't mean it's not good.”

The funniest line of the night was arguably delivered by Madonna though. After a weak 'Like a Virgin' joke from Gervais, Madge, on stage to present an award, quipped:

“'If I'm still a virgin Ricky, then why don't you come on do something about it? I haven’t kissed a girl in a few years. On TV.'

When Madonna ad-libs the biggest laugh of the night, like an Eddie Murphy-shunned Academy, you know you're in of trouble.

Madonna - Looking good for 86.

Still, that's enough Gervais. It was a great night for British TV, with prizes given to Downton Abbey, Idris Elba, Kate Winslet (for Mildred Pierce) and BBC Two's Episodes. Here's the full list of TV awards

Best TV Comedy or Musical - Modern Family

Best Television Series - Drama - Homeland

Best Mini-Series - Downton Abbey

Best Actor in a TV Drama - Kelsey Grammer, Boss

Best Actor in a TV Musical or Comedy - Matt LeBlanc, Episodes

Best Supporting Actor in TV Series, Mini-Series, or Made-for-TV Movie - Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones

Best Actress in a TV Drama - Claire Danes, Homeland

Best Actress in a TV Musical or Comedy - Laura Dern, Enlightened

Best Supporting Actress in TV Series, Mini-Series, or Made-for-TV Movie
 - Jessica Lange, American Horror Story

Best Actor in a TV Movie - Idris Elba, Luther

Best Actress in a TV Movie - Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce

Downton Abbey: Americans love this gritty documentary about everyday life on the streets of England.

And the movies winners:

Best Drama - The Descendants

Best Comedy/Musical - The Artist

Best Animated Film - The Adventures of TinTin

Best Actor in a Drama - George Clooney, The Descendants

Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical - Jean Dujardin, The Artist

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture - Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Best Actress in a Drama - Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady

Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy - Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture - Octavia Spencer, The Help

Best Director
 - Martin Scorsese, Hugo

Best Screenplay - Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen

Best Score - Motion Picture - The Artist - Ludovic Bource

Best Original Song - Motion Picture - "Masterpiece" - Madonna

Best Foreign Language Film - A Separation, Iran

Cecil B. Demille Award - Morgan Freeman