But the proceedings grew increasingly serious as the night went on. Michelle Williams, accepting the Globe for best actress in a limited series for FX’s “Fosse/Verdon,” pleaded with women to vote. “When it’s time to vote, please do so in your own self-interest,” Williams said. “It’s what men have been doing for years, which is why the world looks so much like them.”

Patricia Arquette, winning for her supporting role in the Hulu limited series “The Act,” offered a stern dose of reality, reminding everyone that, among other things, America was “on the brink of war” and that President Trump had tweeted about destroying Iranian cultural sites earlier in the night.

The Globes, awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, are not taken seriously as markers of artistic achievement. But Hollywood covets the red-carpet spectacle, which comes during nomination balloting for the Academy Awards. (Voting for the Oscars started on Thursday and concludes on Tuesday; nominations will be announced on Jan. 13.) Studio marketers will use Globe wins to promote winter films. NBC, which broadcasts the ceremony live, makes a fortune on ad sales.

Over the last 10 years, the Globes and the Oscars have agreed on best picture winners only 50 percent of the time — although they did match last year, when “Green Book” was the big winner at both ceremonies.