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Ah, the Golden Globes. The redheaded stepchild of award shows, this celebration of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s annual picks for the best in film and television is always an entertaining kickoff of the award show season, and this year was no exception. So which fashions were the freshest, which moments the most shocking, and which stars the most uncomfortable? Read on for our highlights from the 2012 Golden Globes.
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The Good

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Let’s start with the highlights. Starlet Emma Stone looked simply stunning in her lovely plum-colored gown.

The always adorable Michelle Williams took home a trophy for her performance as Marilyn Monroe in ‘My Week with Marilyn.’ Donning a sweet headband, she thanked her daughter Matilda, who had to endure many bedtime stories read in the voice of the buxom starlet.

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‘Homeland’ star Claire Danes took home the trophy for Best Actress in a Drama Series, in addition to the show taking home the honor for Best Drama series. The real winner, though? Her black and white gown, which was even more beautiful from the back.

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Michael Fassbender, nominated for his role in ‘Shame’ hit the red carpet in this shiny suit. His real standout moment came when Best Actor winner George Clooney joked about Fassbender’s full-frontal nudity in the film, saying he “took one for the team.”

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‘The Ides of March’ star Evan Rachel Wood (newly engaged to ‘The Adventures of Tin Tin’ star Jaime Bell) arrived in this mermaid-esque feathered frock that was a knockout.

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Stacy Keibler, the luckiest woman in Hollywood, was ravishing in red, almost blending in with the infamous red carpet.

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Their ensemble show took home Best Comedy series, and the ladies of the extended ‘Modern Family’ clan looked lovely backstage. Star Sarah Hyland even experienced a bit of a wardrobe malfunction during the red carpet arrivals, as the zipper on her vintage gown broke.

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Is there any man as dashingly charming as last year’s winner for Best Actor, Colin Firth? Methinks not.

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While she didn’t get a statue for her role in ‘Young Adult,’ Charlize Theron was pretty in pink, wearing Dior (for whom she’s a spokesperson).

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‘Glee’ gal Naya Rivera wowed in a nearly backless grey gown. Va-va-va-voom.

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Reese Witherspoon’s red stunner was lovely and form-fitting perfection, but it’s hard to get over that bedhead! C’mon Reese, you look like you just woke up.

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It looks like a little bit of Lisbeth Salander rubbed off on ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ star Rooney Mara. She channeled her inner goth goddess in this black bondage-y outfit.

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The Bad

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Host Ricky Gervais could have brought the LOLs in a big way, and unfortunately he didn’t. Presumably he was given a warning after his antics at last year’s show, but his humor felt more than a bit restrained this go-round, and Madonna even fought back after a dig from Gervais.

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Poof? More like oof. Nominated for her role on ‘The New Girl,’ Zooey Deschanel had an off night, fashion-wise. Her dress wasn’t terrible, but that hairdo was more of a hair don’t. From certain angles, it even appeared that she had sideburns.

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Not generally a fashion mainstay, Globe winner Meryl Streep took home a trophy for ‘The Iron Lady’, wearing a frock that looks like it came from the Temple Grandin evening wear collection.

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Oh, Tilda Swinton. You never disappoint. The ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ star wore this futuristic Jetsons-style getup, which is nothing less than we’d come to expect from her.

Madonna won for best song for her film ‘W/E’ and while she looked fine, her date (and the film’s star) Andrea Riseborough was looking more than a little interesting.

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Jessica Biel is a lovely lady, so why she felt the need to step out in this dowdy dress is beyond comprehension.

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And the award for most fabric in a photo goes to Piper Perabo and Sarah Michelle Gellar!

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The usually lovely Lea Michele took a risk in this revealing metallic gown, and unfortunately it didn’t payoff. She looks more like Ursula from ‘The Little Mermaid.’

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Her fellow New Directions member Dianna Agron also took a leap with her dragon-inspired red dress. She’s one of the most beautiful girls around, but this wasn’t a great look.

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Holy taffeta nightmare, Batman! Elle Macpherson is nearly swallowed by the abundance of fabric pouring out of her white gown.

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Angelina Jolie is undoubtedly lovely, and she and Brad Pitt are born to grace the red carpet, but pale pink seems like an odd choice for her…

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There you have it! Some of the best moments from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s big night. What did you think of the show? Let us know in the comments!