UPDATED: The count continues – and five hours after the announcement of the Golden Globe nominations, here are the standings:
Grateful: 16
Thrilled: 15
Honored: 14
Delighted: 3
Those are the most common phrases used in that nominations-morning tradition, the reaction statement. So while James Franco, Colin Firth, Aaron Sorkin, David O. Russell, Tom Hooper, Alec Baldwin, Scott Rudin and Richard Zanuck have all issued statements proclaiming that they're grateful to have been nominated, only Kevin Spacey, Danny Boyle and (again) Hooper said they're delighted.
Of course it's silly to complain about clichés in reaction statements – that's what they're for, and what are honorees supposed to say except that they're honored and thrilled and grateful?
So kudos to Colin Firth, who came up with the more distinctive word euphoric in his statement; to Christopher Nolan and Jeremy Renner, who put spins on grateful by using gratifying and gratitude, respectively; and to Michael Douglas (left) for the pointed “To be selected with these extraordinary nominees is an honor and boy was I ready for some good news!”
But the best reaction statement came on the TV side, where "House" star Hugh Laurie followed the boilerplate "I am thrilled and honoured" with "I am now going to turn the house upside down looking for that other cufflink."
Excerpts from the statements:
Jesse Eisenberg (Best Actor - Drama, "The Social Network"):
“It was an honor to be part of this wonderful movie and we're so glad it was acknowledged by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.”
Colin Firth (Best Actor – Drama, "The King's Speech"):
"I'm truly grateful to be recognized by the Hollywood Foreign press for this film, and euphoric to be in the company of so many of my colleagues."
James Franco (Best Actor – Drama, "127 Hours"):
“I’m especially grateful to the HFPA for this honor and I’m excited to see '127 Hours' being recognized this awards season. I’m happy for Danny Boyle and his team and our DP’s Quique and Anthony who were there with me down in the canyon! I am so proud of the film and that Aron Ralston’s story has been well received!”
Ryan Gosling (Best Actor – Drama, "Blue Valentine"):
"I am very grateful to the HFPA. I also would like to thank them for acknowledging Michelle Williams for her incredible performance. Without the 12 years of director Derek Cianfrance’s unwavering vision and commitment none of this would have been possible. I share this nomination with both of them."
Nicole Kidman (Best Actress – Drama, "Rabbit Hole"):
“It took more than four years to get our little movie off the ground, and to be recognized for my work in a film that means so much to me is truly such an honor. Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press for your continued support.”
Jennifer Lawrence (Best Actress - Drama, "Winter's Bone"):
"Working on 'Winter's Bone' with such talented people was an incredible experience, and never did I dream that it would lead to this moment.
