A cold, biting wind blew threw the 68th Golden Globes Awards show, as Ricky Gervais skewered Hollywood's biggest stars and left them sideswiped by his comic savagery.

"I warned them," Gervais quipped, as he made mincemeat of everyone from Bruce Willis (introducing him as Ashton Kutcher's dad) to 84-year-old Playboy founder Hugh Hefner (calling him "the walking dead").

Gervais took shots at "Burlesque" star Cher, and joked that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association were bribed to nominate "The Tourist."

That one earned a terse nod from "The Tourist's" leading man, Johnny Depp.

Gervais pulled out his claws and scratched at the girls of "Sex and the City 2." Gervais joked, "I was sure the Golden Globe for special effects would go to the team that airbrushed that poster. Girls, we know how old you are. I saw one of you in an episode of ‘Bonanza.'"

Gervais slashed away at the head of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association ("I helped him off the toilet and popped his teeth in") and took aim at Robert Downey Jr. The plucky comic introduced Downey "as someone better known for his stays "at the Betty Ford and the L.A. County Jail" than for his movie roles.

The "Iron Man" star had this reply for Gervais when he took the stage: "Aside from the fact that it's been hugely mean-spirited with mildly sinister undertones, I'd say the show's going pretty good so far, wouldn't you?" Downey asked.

Even "nice-guy" presenters Tom Hanks and Tim Allen fired back at the mischievous Gervais:

"We can recall back when Ricky Gervais was a slightly chubby but very kind comedian," Hanks said.

"Neither of which he is now," Allen added quickly.

It's pretty telling when "Toy Story's" Buzz and Woody have to get in on the Golden Globe slams. And yet, it's tough to tell if all the miffed feelings in the room were genuine or just a well-orchestrated accompaniment to all that Gervais zing.

Whatever it was, the ceremony's banter was almost as amusing as the some of the more intimate shots of the night.

Fans were treated to several shots of Angelina Jolie fixing Brad Pitt's tie at the dinner table. In another intimate pic, Jolie touched up her famously plush lips with a dab of gloss.

Close-ups of Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Colin Firth and other heavyweights filled the screen as Al Pacino accepted his award for Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for the film, "You Don't Know Jack."

The show also had celebs on their feet to applaud Robert De Niro as he accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award, as well as presenter and cancer survivor, Michael Douglas.

"There's just got to be an easier way to get a standing ovation," Douglas told the crowd.

One of the night's most uplifting comments came from "Glee" star Chris Colfer, who won a Best Supporting Actor for his work on the hit show.

Visibly shocked by his win, Colfer offered these words to young fans who confront bullying or deal with people who say "no" to their dreams: "Screw that, kids."

As expected, Best Actress winner Natalie Portman, received raves from the crowd for her golden performance in the ballet drama, "Black Swan." Colin Firth also wowed the room as he accepted his Best Actor award for "The King's Speech.

Both wins clearly position Portman and Firth as the top contenders for next month's Academy Awards. "The Social Network's" win for Best Motion Picture in the dramatic category also put this big-buzzed flick at the top of Oscar list.

The Golden Globes also saw some of its biggest highs thanks to Canadian phenom Justin Bieber. The teen sensation walked the red carpet in a tuxedo and black sneakers. He also wore big, violet-rimmed 3D glasses to hype the release of his new film, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never."

Paul Giamatti's Best Actor win for "Barney's Version" in the comedy or music category also put the spotlight on Canada.

"I salute the nation of Canada!" Giamatti said.

The moved actor thanked the late Canadian author Mordecai Richler and his family for letting him "stomp around their private life."

Giamatti also made this comment about his drop-dead gorgeous presenter: "Jesus Christ. Halle Berry? Jesus Christ!"

Globe fashion: sleek chic, big gowns

Aside from the big Gervais barbs and celebrity comeback lines, big glam also dominated the red carpet outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Robert Pattinson and other A-listers strutted their stuff before the live telecast began.

Nicole Kidman kept it slick and sophisticated in a one-shoulder gown by Prada, and "True Grit" actree Hailee Steinfield was flawless in her sleek, white dress by New York-based label Prabal Gurung.

"Love and Other Drugs" star Anne Hathaway served up the same sleek chic, burning up the red carpet in a shimmery gold wonder by Armani Privé.

"Tron 2's" Olivia Wilde stopped traffic in her big, sparkly tulle confection from designer Marchesa.

Helen Mirren took the night's prize for the biggest bling. The British star had a Cartier necklace worth US$1.6 million draped about her neck.

But the biggest fashion kudos go to Best Actress winner Natalie Portman. Her pink, strapless Viktor + Rolf gown took full advantage of the pregnant star's rosy glow.