Golden Globes hosts tackle tough topics with comedy

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Leave it to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to turn some of Hollywood's sorest subjects into punch lines.

At Sunday's Golden Globe Awards, the comedians turned serious stories such as the hacking of Sony Pictures and sexual abuse allegations against Bill Cosby into jokes. The hostesses used their affable style and breezy comedic timing to address the topics in the opening moments of an awards show known for its boozy outbursts.

"Tonight we celebrate all the great television shows that we know and love as well as all the movies that North Korea was OK with," Fey quipped in reference to the Sony hack that U.S. authorities have attributed to North Korea. The hacking led to the release of a wealth of private information about the studio and scuttled the wide release of the Seth Rogen and James Franco film, "The Interview."

Fey also jabbed the film, which North Korea said it considered an act of war, by saying that was "not the worst review the film got" either.

Fey and Poehler kept up the jabs at the reclusive nation later on during the festivities, introducing a stern-looking woman dressed in military regalia who they said was the newest member of the group that awards the Globes, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The woman clutched a copy of a magazine bearing an image of North Korea leader Kim Jong Un and snapped a photo with Meryl Streep. She reappeared later in the show to "criticize" the ceremony before marching off stage in high-step.

"We got a lot of weird emails that can't get out," the women jokingly told Streep to get her to pose for the photo.

Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient George Clooney used both humor and a somber message after accepting the award.

Clooney joked about the Sony hack, which included the disclosure of emails of studio officials criticizing top stars, and the awkward situation the Globes presented.

Clooney ended his remarks by paying tribute to demonstrations in support of victims of the Paris terrorist attack on the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and subsequent hostage crisis.

"They didn't march in protest," he said. "They marched in support of the idea that we will not walk in fear. We won't do it. Je Suis Charlie."

Other stars used the slogan on the red carpet and in remarks during the show.

Actor-singer Jared Leto used the phrase before presenting an award, and Amy Adams expressed her condolences to the people of France while being interviewed backstage.

Allegations that Cosby drugged and sexually abused several women weren't off limits.

Poehler turned the traditional introduction of notable films that is standard in many awards shows as an opportunity to jab Cosby, who is accused of drugging and raping more than 15 women. Cosby has denied many of the claims, but has also joked about the allegations during a recent show in Canada.

"In 'Into the Woods,' Cinderella runs from her prince, Rapunzel is thrown from her tower for her prince and Sleeping Beauty just thought that she was getting coffee with Bill Cosby," Poehler said during the Globes' introduction.

The Paris attacks weren't the only serious subjects handled with introspection rather than comedy on Sunday night.

Common, who won an award for original song for "Glory" used in the civil rights picture "Selma," referenced strained race relations in the United States and how his work on the film changed him.

"I realized I am the hopeful black woman who was denied her right to vote," Common said. "I am the caring white supporter killed on the front lines of freedom. I am the unarmed black kid who maybe needed a hand, but instead was given a bullet. I am the two fallen police officers murdered in the line of duty. 'Selma' has awaken my humanity."

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AP Entertainment Writer Mesfin Fekadu contributed to this report.

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Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP