(CNN) After Time's Up and #MeToo, and two years of award shows heavy on political messages, the Golden Globes veered toward more comfortable territory for Hollywood -- namely, patting itself on the back, while relying on the winners' passion, not the hosts, to carry a show that was alternately boring, shocking, sentimental and just plain silly.

Emcees Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg opened with a joke at the expense of the Oscars -- and its protracted search for a host, after naming and parting with Kevin Hart -- saying that "one lucky audience member" would be chosen to host that show.

Through the course of the evening, the honorees registered political points on a variety of scores, whether that was Regina King discussing work parity for women; Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron, a dual winner for "Roma," referring to the power of cinema to "tear down walls" -- a clear reference to President Trump's proposed border wall; or Christian Bale , a winner for playing Dick Cheney in "Vice," taking a shot at Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Brad Simpson, accepting for FX's "The Assassination of Gianni Versace," also cited the erection of walls and lingering presence of the homophobia reflected within the limited series, urging the arts community to let their voices be heard and "Resist."

For the most part, though, the presentation's tone was celebratory, with Oh turning serious -- after a comedy bit that actually flattered nominees in the guise of roasting them -- to savor the greater inclusion in this year's lineup of movies, including films headlined by people of color like "Black Panther" and "Crazy Rich Asians."

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