Entertainment Live: Host Ricky Gervais opened the Golden Globes with a no-holds-barred monologue Sunday, startling A-listers with his signature cutting one-liners at the champagne-soaked gala, which kicks off Hollywood’s award season.

Stars clad in couture gowns and extravagant jewels hit the red carpet under bright California skies before the outspoken British comic began the prize- giving ceremony, the first of the year building up to next month’s Oscars.

“Let’s go out with a bang, let’s have a laugh at your expense, shall we?” joked Gervais, who has said he is hosting the awards for the fifth and final time. Gervais then tackled topics haunting the entertainment sector including #MeToo, lack of diversity, and the streaming wars, to name but a few.

Netflix secured an equal number of nods in the often-overlooked television categories, where it also leads the pack, ahead of HBO at 15. Among the early Globes handed out on the TV side, HBO hit “Succession” won best drama, fending off Netflix’s flagship “The Crown,” boasting a new cast led by Oscar winner Olivia Colman. Its star Brian Cox won for best actor.

Netflix only began producing original movies in 2015, but has spent billions to lure the industry’s top filmmaking talent — and to fund lavish awards season campaigns. Netflix also has Eddie Murphy’s comeback vehicle “Dolemite Is My Name” in the best comedy or musical race unlike the Oscars, Globes organizers split films into two categories.

Dhaka 06 January (campuslive24.com)//az