COMEDIAN RICKY GERVAIS struck a less controversial tone in presenting the Golden Globes in LA last night as there were big wins for the black-and-white silent film The Artist as well as The Descendants.

There was no luck for the Irish who were nominated with Michael Fassbender in Shame and Brendan Gleeson in The Guard missing out on awards in the Best Actor in a Drama and Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical categories that they were nominated in.

The Artist led the field with three wins including Best Musical or Comedy and Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for Jean Dujardin. Along with best drama, The Descendants won the dramatic-actor Globe for Clooney.

The dual best-picture prizes at the Globes could set up a showdown between The Artist and The Descendants for the top honour at next month’s Academy Awards.

Other acting winners were Meryl Streep, Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn) , Christopher Plummer (Beginners), and Octavia Spencer (The Help), while Martin Scorsese earned the directing honour for Hugo, a family film that marked his first 3D feature.

“I gotta thank everybody in England that let me come and trample over their history,” said Streep, earning her eighth Globe for her performance as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady.

Legendary popstar Madonna was recognised for Masterpiece, a song she wrote for her historical drama W.E. Meanwhile, Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris won best screenplay. British drama Downton Abbey was named the best mini-series.

The show was also notable for Gervais’ less controversial opening monologue. He had ruffled feathers in recent years for is barbs aimed at Hollywood’s finest.

Of the Globes he said they “are just like the Oscars, but without all that esteem. The 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 proved.”

Watch it in full here: