Golden Globes 2020: Biggest talking points, from Ricky Gervais hosting for the last time to political speeches

Martin Scorsese's The Irishman was snubbed during the event, which is often seen as a predictor of how films and actors may fare at the Oscars

Brad Pitt wades into Titanic finale debate while winning at the Golden Globes

Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Olivia Colman led the night's British winners at the Golden Globes, as host Ricky Gervais stunned the audience with jokes about Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein, and was silenced multiple times during the broadcast.

Brian Cox, Taron Egerton, and Elton John are also among the Brits who walked away from the 77th Golden Globes with at least one trophy in hand.

Gervais hosted the ceremony for the fifth and – we are told – last time, poking fun at this year's nominees and lamenting the duration of the ceremony in his trademark fashion.

The Golden Globes can serve as a predictor of how certain films and actors are expected to fare during the Oscars next month – although the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which is in charge of the Golden Globes, doesn't always see eye to eye with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organisation behind the Oscars.

Here are the biggest talking points from the 2020 Golden Globes:

British performers had an excellent night

Phoebe Waller-Bridge took home the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, while Fleabag itself was crowned Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Olivia Colman, meanwhile, won Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Drama for The Crown. Sam Mendes won Best Director – Motion Picture for 1917, which also earned the award for Best Motion Picture – Drama. Succession's Brian Cox earned the trophy for Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Drama, while Rocketman star Taron Egerton accepted the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Speaking of Rocketman, Elton John and Bernie Taupin won Best Original Song for "I'm Gonna Love Me Again". All in all, a great night for British performers.

Ricky Gervais hosted for the last time

True to form, the comedian poked fun at Leonardo DiCaprio, Cats, and a few other people. In his opening monologue, he questioned the very principle of watching movies (now that "everyone's watching Netflix) and delivered this zinger: “You can binge watch the entire first season of [Gervais's show] After Life. That’s a show about a man who wants to kill himself after his wife dies of cancer. It has a second season though, so he obviously doesn’t kill himself in the end – just like Jeffrey Epstein." He was muted multiple times for swearing during the broadcast.

The Irishman was snubbed

Martin Scorsese's crime film was considered a strong contender this awards season, but that assessment might change in light of the Golden Globes. The Irishman had scored five nominations but failed to win in any category. Of course, there's always the possibility that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will completely disagree with the HFPA, but it begs the question: is The Irishman not a strong contender after all?

Things take an interesting turn for Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood and Joker

Also also considered strong Oscar contenders, Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood and Joker did well – though perhaps not as well as they could have. Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt and Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood itself won a total of three trophies out five nominations – with Tarantino missing out on Best Director – Motion Picture, while Leonardo DiCaprio lost to Taron Egerton in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category.

As for Joker, it scored two wins out of four nominations, with Hildur Guðnadóttir winning Best Original Score while Joaquin Phoenix took home the trophy for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. It was also up for Best Motion Picture – Drama, which went to 1917, while Todd Phillips missed out on Best Picture – Motion Picture (a category won by Sam Mendes).

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Acceptance speeches were political

Several winners chose to highlight the ongoing wildfires in Australia – including Russell Crowe, who couldn't pick up his award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television in person, but prepared a message about climate change that was read out by Jennifer Aniston. Patricia Arquette criticised Donald Trump's policy toward Iran, while Michelle Williams dedicated her speech to women's right to choose.

Follow the ceremony as it happened here:

Find a full list of winners here.

Key Points

• 1917 wins Best Motion Picture – Drama
• Renée Zellweger​ wins Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama​
• Joaquin Phoenix wins Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

[5 January 2020 23:42 · Clemence Michallon]

Elton John is here and talking about his biopic Rocketman. "It was the right time when it finally got made," he says, adding that he and the rest of the team "wanted to make an R-rated film because my life is not really PG."

[5 January 2020 23:44 · Clemence Michallon]

John confirms that his current farewell tour will indeed be his last ever, a he wants to spend more time with his children

[5 January 2020 23:45 · Clemence Michallon]

Curious about the best outfits of the evening? This list will be updated as more A-listers arrive to the Beverly Hilton, where the ceremony is taking place.

[5 January 2020 23:51 · Clemence Michallon]

Ricky Gervais is hosting the Golden Globes for the fifth time ever tonight. Some like our very own Adam White think it might be time to stop glorifying him as an emcee. Read his take here.

[5 January 2020 23:52 · Clemence Michallon]

Zoey Dutch, one of the stars of Best TV Series contender The Politician, has arrived. Read our interview with her here.

(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

[5 January 2020 23:56 · Clemence Michallon]

Joaquin Phoenix is here! You might have heard about the tiny film he was in this year – Joker? Does that ring a bell?

[5 January 2020 23:57 · Clemence Michallon]

Phoenix says he feels a bit overwhelmed by the red carpet atmosphere (and the loud crowds) and commends the hosts for their performances.

[5 January 2020 23:58 · Clemence Michallon]

Phoenix is up for Best Performance By An Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his role as Arthur Fleck, aka the Joker.

[6 January 2020 00:00 · Clemence Michallon]

Joker itself is a contenter for Best Motion Picture – Drama. One of its competitors is Martin Scorsese's The Irishman. You can read our interview with he cast here.

[6 January 2020 00:03 · Clemence Michallon]

Nicole Kidman is here with her husband Keith Urban! She's joined by her Big Little Lies co-star Reese Witherspoon, who just crashed Kidman's red carpet interview. Not that anyone is complaining – both actors have only good things to say about each other.