'Social Network' friends Globes with 4 prizes

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- The Facebook tale "The Social Network" won top honors Sunday at the Golden Globes with four prizes, including best drama and director, solidifying its prospects as an Academy Awards favorite.

Winning the dramatic lead-acting prizes were Colin Firth for the British monarchy saga "The King's Speech" and Natalie Portman for the psychosexual thriller "Black Swan."

Lead-acting honors for the Globes' musical or comedy categories went to Annette Bening for the lesbian-family story "The Kids Are All Right" and Paul Giamatti for the curmudgeon tale "Barney's Version."

The boxing drama "The Fighter" earned both supporting actor Globes, for Christian Bale and Melissa Leo.

David Fincher, directing winner for "The Social Network," said he thought it was strange when "The Social Network" script came to him, since he usually makes dark character studies about misanthropes or films about serial killers. His films include the murder tales "Seven" and "Zodiac."

"I'm personally loath to acknowledge the kind of wonderful response this film has received for fear of becoming addicted to it, so suffice it to say, it's been really nice," said Fincher, whose film also won the Globes for screenplay for Aaron Sorkin and musical score for Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.

The cast and crew of "The Kids Are All Right," pose Sunday with the award they won for Best Motion Picture — Comedy Or Musical at the Golden Globe Awards. (Matt J. Terrill ~ Associated Press)

The win by Portman for her role as a ballerina coming unhinged amid a production of "Swan Lake" sets her up for a two-woman showdown for best actress at the Feb, 27 Oscars with Bening, who won for her role as a stern lesbian mom in "The Kids Are All Right," which also won for best musical or comedy film.

The buzz around town on Globes weekend was not only about likely winners, but also about a lawsuit filed Thursday by a former longtime publicist for the Globes claiming the organization that runs the show, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, engages in payola schemes for nominations and awards. The allegations have been denied by the HFPA, a group of about 90 reporters covering show business for overseas outlets.

Ricky Gervais returned as Globes host for the second-straight year. Gervais joked that Globe nominees weren't picked just so that Globe voters could hang out with stars such as Depp.

"They also accepted bribes," Gervais said, referring to the publicist lawsuit.

Gervais pulled few punches as the night progressed, mocking Hugh Hefner, Charlie Sheen, Cher, Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, Scientologists and Robert Downey Jr., among others.

"Aside from the fact that it's been hugely mean-spirited, with mildly sinister undertones, I'd say the vibe of the show is pretty good so far, wouldn't you?" Downey, a presenter, shot back, perhaps only half-jokingly.

Among TV winners, "Glee" won three prizes, best comedy and supporting-acting prizes for Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer. "Boardwalk Empire" won two prizes, for best drama and dramatic actor for Steve Buscemi.

Golden Globes Awards winners

MOTION PICTURES

* Picture, Drama: "The Social Network."

* Picture, Musical or Comedy: "The Kids Are All Right."

* Actor, Drama: Colin Firth, "The King's Speech."

* Actress, Drama: Natalie Portman, "Black Swan."

* Director: David Fincher, "The Social Network."

* Actress, Musical or Comedy: Annette Bening, "The Kids Are All Right."

* Actor, Musical or Comedy: Paul Giamatti, "Barney's Version."

* Supporting Actor: Christian Bale, "The Fighter."

* Supporting Actress: Melissa Leo, "The Fighter."

* Foreign Language: "In a Better World."

* Animated Film: "Toy Story 3."

* Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin, "The Social Network."

* Original Score: "The Social Network."

* Original Song: "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me," (written by Diane Warren), "Burlesque."

TELEVISION

* Series, Drama: "Boardwalk Empire," HBO.

* Actor, Drama: Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire."

* Actress, Drama: Katey Sagal, "Sons of Anarchy."

* Series, Musical or Comedy: "Glee," Fox.

* Actor, Musical or Comedy: Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory."

* Actress, Musical or Comedy: Laura Linney, "The Big C."

* Miniseries or Movie: "Carlos," Sundance Channel.

* Actress, Miniseries or Movie: Claire Danes, "Temple Grandin."

* Actor, Miniseries or Movie: Al Pacino, "You Don't Know Jack."

* Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Jane Lynch, "Glee."

* Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or Movie: Chris Colfer, "Glee."

* Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award: Robert De Niro.