The Golden Globes

It might not have been the glitzy affair it usually is, in light of our fave celebs supporting the writers in their strike. The threat of picket lines at the annual showbiz event prompted many TV and film stars nominated for awards to pull out of attending the Globes. As a result, the three-hour-ceremony was reduced to an hour-long TV press conference on Sunday, during which all the winners were announced.

None the less, it was a good night for Europe at the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles. Stars from France, England and Spain claimed a clutch of the first awards. In fact four of the first eight winners were foreigners to America.

Aussie Cate Blanchett was the first winner announced, when she claimed Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Bob Dylan in quirky indie film 'I'm Not There'.

Brit, Samantha Morton was a surprise winner in the Best Supporting TV Actress category - honoured for her portrayal of child killer Myra Hindley in television movie 'Longford'.

But there were no surprises in the Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical category - red-hot favourite Marion Cotillard took home gold for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in French film 'La Vie en Rose'.

Another European favourite, Spain's Javier Bardem, claimed the Best Supporting Actor prize for his role as a menacing killer in 'No Country For Old Men'. And British comedian Ricky Gervais was also an early winner, claiming the Best TV Comedy prize for 'Extras'.

Johnny Depp's dark musical ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' was a double winner. Depp himself claimed his first Globe after being nominated seven times - he took home gold in the Best Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical category and the Tim Burton movie was named one of the night's two Best Films.

It was a semi-disappointing night for Kiera Knightley's period drama, ‘Atonement', which led the nominations for the Globes with seven; it claimed just one prize for Best Drama.

The winners are:

Best Supporting Actress - Cate Blanchett (I'm Not There)
Best Supporting TV Actor - Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
Best Actress in a TV Drama - Glenn Close (Damages)
Best Supporting TV Actress - Samantha Morton (Longford)
Best Actor in a TV Drama Series - Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Best Animated Film - Ratatouille
Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical - Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose)
Best Supporting Actor - Javier Bardem (No Country For Old Men)
Best Actress in a Mini-Series or TV Movie - Queen Latifah (Life Support)
Best Actor in a TV Comedy Series - David Duchovny (Californication)
Best TV Comedy - Extras
Best Actress in a TV Comedy - Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Best Director - Julian Schnabel (The Diving Bell & The Butterfly)
Best Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical - Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street)
Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Best TV Drama Series - Mad Men
Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama - Julie Christie (Away From Her)
Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama - Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood)
Best Motion Picture Drama - Atonement.