The Hollywood Foreign Press Association really knows how to throw a swell party, folks. Their "Golden Globes" shindig, televised by NBC and seen this year in over 130 countries, may not be the Oscars, but it’s almost as star-studded. Last night (January 19, 2003), over 23 million viewers watched as a group of happy actors and actresses received awards for the best performances in movies and television during 2002.

Among the most amusing moments at this year’s festivities, my favorite involved Jack Nicholson stating he didn’t know whether to be happy or ashamed for winning the award as best actor in a dramatic movie. "I thought we were making a comedy," he declared. Nicholson has nothing to be ashamed of. He now holds the record for Golden Globe wins. This is his sixth. And well-deserved. In my book, his performance in About Schmidt ranks as one of the most brilliant ever filmed – right up there with Paul Newman in The Verdict and Judy Garland in A Star Is Born.

The big film winner this year? A musical! Chicago garnered three awards. In the musical or comedy category, the jazzy depression-era flick won for best movie, best actress – Renee Zellweger (not Catherine Zeta-Jones? Shocking, I know!), and best actor – Richard Gere (nothing wrong with your eyes; you read that right).

Four movies won two awards each:

About Schmidt for best actor in a drama – Jack Nicholson, and best screenplay – Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor.

Adaptation for best supporting actor – Chris Cooper, and best supporting actress – Meryl Streep.

Gangs of New York for best director – Martin Scorsese, and best original song – "The Hands That Built America."

The Hours for best drama and best actress – Nicole Kidman.

Both Frida and Talk to Her took home a one award. Frida for musical score and Talk to Her for best foreign language film.

I know what you’re thinking. No awards for THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS or for FAR FROM HEAVEN? Not one. Zilch. Nada. Zero. These flicks will have to wait for the Oscars.

A highlight of the program featured Michael Caine and Robin Williams presenting Gene Hackman with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement. After Caine accused Hackman of being 102-years old (as computed from his many movies), Williams claimed he knew the other side of Gene. "I've seen Gena," he said -- as clips of Hackman in drag for The Birdcage flickered on the screen behind him.    

Two television actors also provided a bit of humor in their acceptance speeches. "This is a dark day for the Golden Globes," intoned Larry David about his award for Curb Your Enthusiasm. And Tony Shalhoub, who won for best actor in a comedy series (Monk) said, "You have no idea how much I wanted to win for drama."

HBO garnered the most television awards. Seven, count ‘em, seven – for The Gathering Storm (2), Hysterical Blindness, Path to War, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Who were the best and worst dressed at this year’s Golden Globes party? Diane Lane, Jill Hennessy, and Annette Bening win my nod for looking the most glamorous. (I could be wrong, but I think all three wore the same gown.) Sharon Stone and Lara Flynn Boyle tie for needing the most help from a fashion consultant. Boyle resembled a ballerina dressed by Bjork, and Stone’s Medusa-like hair and biker-girl outfit didn’t flatter her one bit.

Finally, thanks to director/writer Alexander Payne (About Schmidt) for putting things in perspective with his warning about trying to label anything in the Arts as "the best."