"The Artist" won three Golden Globes, including best picture, musical or comedy, and "The Descendants" won two Golden Globes, including best drama picture. That was the big news coming out of Sunday night's awards presentation, which defined, but did not substantially narrow, the race for the Academy Awards next month.

Indeed, everything still seems up for grabs, especially with Martin Scorsese picking up the best director award for his 3-D children's film, "Hugo." But then the Hollywood Foreign Press, which awards the Globes, has often been eccentric.

The big acting awards went to this year's Oscar front-runners: Jean Dujardin, seeming as irrepressible as the fellow he played in "The Artist," accepted the best actor in musical or comedy prize and did a few dance steps, as his wife, actress Alexandra Lamy, recorded it all on her cell phone. Later, George Clooney won best drama actor for "The Descendants."

Michelle Williams won best actress in a musical or comedy for her lovely performance as Marilyn Monroe in "My Week With Marilyn" (even though it's neither a musical nor a comedy), and Meryl Streep won best actress in a drama for her uncanny, brilliant work in "The Iron Lady." Months ago, even before their respective films came out, they were, on paper, the best actress favorites. They remain so going into the home stretch.

Ricky Gervais effect

But this was a unique year for the Golden Globes, in that audiences tuned in as much for emcee Ricky Gervais as to see the stars or find out the winners. Yet despite the buildup and the anticipation generated by his behavior last year, in which he insulted everyone and ruffled the feathers of several presenters, Gervais was tame. At the start of the night, he asked the audience if they felt scared, as if taunting them with what he might say. But he soon showed that they had nothing to fear. Not only was he restrained, but also on the few occasions he did let himself go, he wasn't particularly funny.

At one point, he referred to Elton John as the Queen of Pop and introduced Madonna (who presented the foreign language award to Iran's "A Separation") by alluding to her old song, "Like a Virgin," then clearing his throat and rolling his eyes. In response, Madonna said, "If I'm still like a virgin, Ricky, then why don't you come over and do something about it? I haven't kissed a girl in a few years." In the context of both the night and Gervais' remark, it was like killing a fly with a nuclear bomb.

Name recognition

Midway into the show, it was clear what was happening: Gervais' name had been used to sell the show, but his under use as emcee had been built into the program's design, perhaps as a way of guaranteeing top celebrity participation. Never doubt the power of Hollywood royalty protecting themselves. Hence, Gervais introduced few presenters and disappeared often, for up to 30 minutes at a time.

For Gervais, it was not quite a public neutering, but it was close enough - so perhaps it was no coincidence that there were an inordinate number of penis jokes being bandied about Sunday. Clooney, in his acceptance, took time out to note Michael Fassbender's ability to play golf without a club, and Seth Rogen announced that he was trying to conceal a "massive erection" while standing next to Kate Beckinsale. There were more jokes like that, but those were the funny ones.

Awkward party

The Golden Globes are strange - mostly public, but maintaining just the whiff and feeling of a party - so that the stars' public and private selves seem to overlap, and in ways that are uncomfortable. The humor has a touch of vulgarity, and so does the clothing, and for every healthy face there is at least one that looks seedy or lifted. Indeed, to watch the Globes on a high-definition TV is a decent approximation of what it's like to meet these people in the flesh.

Sidney Poitier received the night's biggest ovation, when he announced Morgan Freeman as the winner of the Globes' lifetime achievement honor, the Cecil B. DeMille award.

Christopher Plummer won best supporting actor for his fine work in "Beginners" (which opened this year's San Francisco International Film Festival), and Octavia Spencer won best supporting actress for her work in "The Help," a surprise win against strong competition that included Berenice Bejo ("The Artist").

TV awards

The Golden Globes also give television awards, lots of them: Kelsey Grammer was named best actor in a television drama for his performance as a powerful Chicago mayor in Starz's "Boss." Three actresses - Jessica Lange, Laura Dern and Kate Winslet - who had won previous Golden Globes for movie roles, won Sunday for their TV work. Lange won best supporting actress in a TV series for her role in FX's new "American Horror Story." Dern was named best actress in a TV comedy for her role in HBO's "Enlightened," while Winslet won best actress in a TV miniseries or movie for her portrayal of the title character in HBO's "Mildred Pierce."

Showtime's new "Homeland," in which Claire Danes plays a CIA agent investigating terrorist threats, won the Globe for best TV drama. PBS' "Downton Abbey" won for best TV miniseries or movie, beating out three nominees from HBO. Idris Elba, who plays the detective, John Luther, in BBC America's "Luther," won the Globe for best actor in a TV movie or miniseries.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Winners circle: See who won and more awards moments. D3

E-mail Mick LaSalle at mlasalle@sfchronicle.com.