Carol Burnett Shouts “I Love You” to Ted Danson as He Receives Golden Globes Award in Her Honor

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As a passionate admirer of the world of entertainment, I found myself utterly captivated by the heartwarming and inspiring ceremony at the Golden Globes’ Golden Gala. The room was brimming with legends like Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep, and Viola Davis, but it was the stories of resilience and determination shared by Viola Davis and Scott Foley (or “Scott Davis” as I like to call him now) that truly stole the show.

Viola’s moving speech resonated with me on a deeply personal level. Growing up in a similar environment, I could relate to her struggle of finding her identity and purpose amidst adversity. Her journey from playing the forgotten characters to becoming an icon is one that serves as a beacon of hope for anyone who has ever felt unseen or overlooked.

Scott, on the other hand, reminded us all that even the most successful among us still have to answer the age-old question: “Why am I here?” With his humility and gratitude, he demonstrated that success doesn’t always mean having it all figured out – sometimes, it means being grateful for the journey and recognizing that we are all works in progress.

And let me tell you, their speeches left me feeling incredibly inspired… and slightly envious of their ability to deliver such powerful words. I mean, come on, Viola! You’ve got a Pulitzer Prize and an Emmy, but you still can’t remember the name of your own character in “The Help”? I guess even legends can have a senior moment every now and then (though I’m still holding out hope that it was all part of her method acting).

In conclusion, the Golden Globes’ Golden Gala was a testament to the power of storytelling, resilience, and the human spirit. It serves as a reminder that no matter where we come from or what obstacles we face, we can overcome them and find our purpose if we are willing to take the leap of faith and answer the call to adventure. And who knows? Maybe someday I’ll be up there on stage, delivering an equally moving speech (or forgetting my own name like Viola did). Fingers crossed!

Viola Davis and Ted Danson received prestigious accolades amidst their colleagues such as Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep, Carol Burnett, Anthony Anderson, and Babyface at the Golden Globes’ Grand Event, held at the Beverly Hilton on a Friday evening. This event was significant as it was the first time the organization hosted a separate ceremony to honor recipients of its two historic awards: the Cecil B. DeMille Award and the Carol Burnett Award, which previously were given during the televised show itself.

Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne expressed her hope that this initial evening of distinction would be an event we’d all remember for many years. Reflecting on the transformation of the Golden Globes over the last few years, she mentioned their eagerness to innovate and welcome new perspectives. They’re not just eager about the changes upcoming next year, but the potential they see for the future. Tonight, she suggested, is a demonstration of this innovation – no stress, no envelopes to open, just an opportunity to unite our industry and honor two remarkable individuals.

At the event, Danston’s wife, Mary Steenburgen, affectionately referred to as his long-time partner, bestowed upon him the Carol Burnett Award. She expressed that Danston, with whom she has spent nearly three decades, is her “ideal man.

Steenburgen expressed that everyone at the Golden Globes should understand, receiving the Carol Burnett Award feels akin to gaining entry into a creative paradise. Whether it’s ‘The Good Place’, ‘Man on the Inside’, ‘Fargo’, ‘Damages’, ‘Board to Death’, ‘Becker’, or even ‘Cheers’, he sees this award as a cherished privilege, similar to Carol Burnett, in taking audiences on a fascinating television voyage.

In his heartfelt speech, Danston humorously acknowledged his peculiar connection with accolades that he’s cultivated throughout nearly half a century of work. He joked, “I must confess, I’ve always found awards perplexing. If I win, I feel slightly ashamed and lonely. If I don’t win, I feel slightly ashamed and lonely.” However, he added, “Tonight is an exception! Tonight, I couldn’t be more delighted to receive this award, Carol. I can hardly express how meaningful it is for me. You have brought immeasurable joy and cheer into countless homes worldwide. Your warmth and kindness shine so brightly. I adore you deeply.

Burnett then shouted, “I love you,” to Danson from her seat inside the intimate gathering.

Following his gratitude towards friends, relatives, and work associates, Danson ended his speech by acknowledging his beloved character from “Cheers”. Quoting Sam Malone, he expressed, “Indeed, I am the most fortunate individual I’ve ever encountered.” He continued, “Carol, it’s magnificent that this award serves as an annual occasion where we honor laughter and happiness. Every year, we will celebrate you, Carol, and all the comical personalities who paved the way for us before.

During Meryl Streep’s speech presenting the Cecil B. DeMille Award to Davis, she reminisced about their first encounter prior to collaborating on the film “Doubt“, which brought more laughter to the occasion.

She mentioned that she had recently spoken to Tony Kushner, the renowned playwright who penned ‘Angels in America’, and they had both finished watching its television adaptation. In this production, she portrayed four different characters and won Emmy and SAG awards for her performance. However, she downplayed these accomplishments by saying, ‘So he asked me, “Who’s playing Mrs. Miller?” And I said, “It’s an actress I’m not familiar with. Her name is Viola Davis.”‘ Kushner responded, ‘Viola Davis? Viola Davis is my favorite actor in the world.’ This statement took her aback, as she replied, ‘Really, the entire world?’ With a chuckle, she continued, ‘Yes, that was quite a surprise.’ The room erupted in laughter at this revelation before Streep went on to praise Viola Davis’ acting abilities.

Meryl Streep emphasized that it’s inappropriate for anyone to refer to you as a queen since queens typically inherit or marry their crowns, whereas you have genuinely earned yours through the unwavering love and admiration of your family and peers. You are a multifaceted woman and a true artist, but you’re not a queen, she explained, because she has witnessed your humility – your willingness to bow before others and ask how you can help them share their truth. This is what Viola Davis does best: delivering the raw, unadulterated truth in every role. Despite being slightly frustrated, Streep can’t hold a grudge against such an exceptional talent. Instead, she expressed her admiration and gratitude towards you.

Davis often talks about her past, explaining that her challenging upbringing as a child in poverty inspired her to pursue acting. This background also significantly influenced the way she approaches character development.

At the beginning of my professional journey, I accepted numerous jobs primarily due to financial reasons. As a Black woman with a prominent nose and full lips, there weren’t many roles tailored to my appearance in the industry at that time. If I had waited for a role specifically suited to me and well-written, I wouldn’t be here speaking today.

Quite frequently, it was the seemingly forgotten characters – such as the woman on the street corner smoking, with less-than-perfect complexion – who were like ghosts to others. Characters that weren’t cherished or appreciated. I feel these characters sought me out because they sensed my affection for them, and I knew there was something truly extraordinary hidden within them. A mystery that stirred my curiosity about the purpose of their existence and mine: ‘Why am I here?’ she pondered. This is a question every person in this room has asked themselves at some point. Why are we here? Each of these characters offered me a piece of an answer, a fragment of understanding to this eternal query. I was determined to breathe life back into them. I became their reviver, filling in the gaps and restoring wholeness.

In wrapping up her speech, Davis referenced Joseph Campbell’s thoughts from “The Hero’s Journey”, stating, “During the final stage of this journey, it seems as though one will lose their life, but when you reach the ultimate point, there are no divine beings or demons to be seen. Instead, you realize that it is yourself who you encounter. Through acting, I found my potion – the realization that my life is shaped by me. The ‘little Viola’ within me was sufficient.

“What you’ve got to figure out is you,” Davis added. “Your story. You as is, you are worthy.”

The upcoming 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards will also honor the achievements of Danson and Davis. This prestigious event will be broadcast on CBS this coming Sunday evening. It’s important to note that Dick Clark Productions, the company responsible for producing the Golden Globes, is a joint venture between Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge, which also owns The Hollywood Reporter.

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2025-01-04 20:25