Beverly Hills rewarded actors for a job well done on the night of January 16, 2005. For on this night, NBC hosted one of the biggest award shows of the year. The Golden Globes highlight the best of film and television in one big night of entertainment. For the lover of any type of acting, The Golden Globes is the night for you.

With thirteen categories in film and eleven categories in television, the night was not disappointing. There were the expected winners, but also the upsets. The Aviator, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, won the prestigious “Best Motion Picture” award as well as picking up the “Best Original Score” award with the musical director Howard Shore. Individually, DiCaprio finally won the evasive “Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama” award. Despite stunning performances in films like Titanic, Gangs of New York, and others, DiCaprio had not been able to bring home the big one until Sunday.

Jamie Foxx’s rendition of Ray Charles’ life in the movie Ray, also received prestigious gold picking up the “Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical or Comedy.” With huge press and star power behind them, Ray and The Aviator were favorited to win most of the awards, so there were no big surprises.

Rounding out the film awards were Hilary Swank winning the “Best Performance by an Actress in a Drama” award for Million Dollar Baby, Sideways won the “Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy” award, Annette Benning won “Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical or Comedy” in Being Julia, the Spanish movie The Sea Inside won the “Best Foreign Film” award, Natalie Portman won the “Best Performance by a Supporting Actress” award for her work in Closer, Clive Owen won the “Best Performance by a Supporting Actor” award for his work in Closer, the “Best Screenplay” award went to Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor for their work on Sideways, the “Best Original Song” of the year was “Old Habits Die Hard” from the motion picture Alfie, and everyone’s favorite Clint Eastwood won the “Best Director” award for his oversight of the film Million Dollar Baby.

Obviously, for anyone who was looking to know how the upcoming Academy Awards would turn out from these results, you have be sadly disappointed. Many actors that were thought to be “shoe-ins” for The Golden Globe Awards were beat out by younger, fresher talent. So when “Academy Time” comes around, who knows what’s going to happen. Morgan Freeman and Jamie Foxx, big names in Hollywood were beat out by a comparably unknown actor. And heralded director, Martin Scorsese was smacked by Clint Eastwood. We might have a real barn-burner on our hands in several months when the Academy has to decide who they think is the best.

The television awards were also ruled by many unknowns. Some of the biggest names in television were rejected of the gold on “Globe Night.” Nip/Tuck from the F/X channel beat out ratings bonanzas like Lost, and 24 to take home the “Best Drama Series” award. Mariska Hargitay’s name was called over Jennifer Garner and Edie Falco for the “Best Performance by an Actress in a Drama” award for Law and Order – Special Victims’ Unit. Ian McShane won the “Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama” over James Spader for his role in Deadwood. Jason Bateman got the “Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical or Drama” award for Arrested Development over big names like Charlie Sheen and Matt LeBlanc. And the “Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Made-For-TV Movie” was Geoffrey Rush over Jamie Foxx, Patrick Stewart, and William H. Macy. No doubt these “big-namers” are licking their wounds and trying to figure out how to step up to the plate for next year’s big night.

However, as always, there were the wins that everyone expected. The new primetime hit Desperate Housewives not only picked up its fair share of nominations, but its fair share of awards. It won the “Best Television Series for a Musical or Drama” and leading lady Teri Hatcher won “Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical or Comedy” over two of her very own co-stars. The immortal Glenn Close won “Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Made-For-TV Movie” for her work in The Lion Winter. The “Best Mini-Series or made-For-TV Movie” was The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. Anjelica Houston was named the “Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series, or Made-For-TV Movie” winner for Iron Jawed Angels. And “ol’ Captain Kirk,” William Shatner, won the “Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series, or Made-For-TV Movie” for his role in Boston Legal.

The red carpet was gleaming, and stars earned their paycheck with their stunning performances and jobs well done. The only thing missing from the evening was drunken rhetoric by Anna Nicole Smith and the good thing is that I don’t think anyone cared.