So the Golden Globes are history, and this year their impact at the box office will have even less of an effect. In recent years, the Golden Globes has become more important but as a prelude and a reminder to Oscar nominators about fine performances. The preferences of Italian or German interviewers -- most of whom aren't critics -- as to which is the best film or performance often don't jive with American critics' or movie goer's tastes.

But in a normal year, the stars all show up, and you can see them in a much more casual setting...dining, drinking, relaxing, being closer to their real personae, than at the formal Oscars. It's like watching ballplayers relax around the cage during batting practice; you get a glimpse of what might follow.

This year, however, they assembled hosts of all the show business programs who simply read the nominees and winners. While I'm certain not many tuned in, maybe they were on to something. The Oscars are often unintentionally hilarious with clumsy dance numbers and inane banter (sorry writers) uttered by when-worlds-collide presenting couples, often of different generations.

This year's press conference (are those presenters really press?) was quick and to the point. Maybe that's the way the Oscars ought to be. We'd all get a lot more sleep.

Oh, and you can view our interview with the pictured winner, Marion Cotillard, here.