The Golden Globes 2012: best moments

It was the night that Hollywood was both excited and nervous about. Excited as it meant a good evening of back-slapping and award-giving and nervous because Ricky Gervais was hosting.

While he might have been slightly less caustic than he was last year, he was still on top form. Taking aim at NBC, Jodie Foster, Eddie Murphy and the ceremony itself, he gave a winning performance.

Awards-wise, The Artist, The Descendants, Meryl Streep and George Clooney were all winners. You can see the full list underneath.

But, here are some of Ricky's finest quotes:

"Golden Globes are just like the Oscars without all that esteem. The Golden Globes are to the Oscars like Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton, bit louder, bit drunker, bit trashier, and more easily bought. Allegedly. Nothing's been proved."

On Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas: "They're ridiculously gorgeous specimens, they're extremely talented and probably very interesting ... I'm not sure, I couldn't understand a f***ing word they said."

"Tonight you get Britain's biggest comedian, hosting the world's second biggest awards show on America's third biggest network. Sorry, is it? Fourth. It's fourth."

"Bit of trivia for you. Eddie Murphy and Adam Sandler between them played all the parts in the movie The Help. Isn't that brilliant. They were brilliant. I cant believe they're not here. Or maybe they are. They're masters of disguise."

"Last year, our next presenter won both the Golden Globe and the Oscar for her work in Black Swan. This year, she took some time out to have a baby. Consequently, she's been nominated for nothing. Really pathetic. But she learned that valuable lesson you all already knew: Never put family first. Please welcome the very foolish Natalie Portman."

"And I'm not to libel anyone. And I must not mention Mel Gibson this year. Not his private life, his politics, his recent films, and especially not Jodie Foster's Beaver."

You can see his opening monologue below:

Plus, he took a swipe at Madonna, who took a swipe right back:

Here is the full list of winners:

Film:

Best Motion Picture DramaThe Descendants

Best Motion Picture Comedy or MusicalThe Artist

Best Director Motion Picture Martin Scorsese, Hugo

Best Actress Drama Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady

Best Actor Drama George Clooney, The Descendants

Best Actress Comedy or Musical Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn

Best Actor Comedy or Musical Jean Dujardin, The Artist

Best Supporting Actress Octavia Spencer, The Help

Best Supporting Actor Christopher Plummer, Beginners

Best Screenplay Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris

Best Original Score Ludovic Bource The Artist

Best Original Song “Masterpiece” — W.E., Madonna, Julie Frost, Jimmy Harry

Best Animated Feature FilmThe Adventures of Tintin

Best Foreign Language FilmA Separation (Iran)

Television:

Best Series DramaHomeland

Best Series Comedy or MusicalModern Family

Best Actress Drama Claire Danes, Homeland

Best Actor Drama Kelsey Grammer, Boss

Best Actress Comedy or Musical Laura Dern, Enlightened

Best Actor Comedy or Musical Matt LeBlanc, Episodes

Best Mini-SeriesDownton Abbey

Best Actress Mini-Series Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce

Best Actor Mini-Series Idris Elba, Luther

Best Supporting Actress Jessica Lange, American Horror Story

Best Supporting Actor Peter Dinklage, Game Of Thrones

(Image: Getty)