Michael Douglas was named best television comedy actor for playing an ageing acting teacher in The Kominsky Method, while Richard Madden was a first time winner for British television thriller Bodyguard.

Hosts Andy Samberg and Killing Eve nominated actress Sandra Oh opted for a positive vibe in their opening remarks, in contrast to the political barbs and sharp jokes, often directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, that have marked recent awards shows.

Oh joked they were chosen as Globes hosts "because we are the only two people left in Hollywood who haven't got in trouble for saying anything offensive".

"Bradley Cooper - you are hot!," said Oh, calling out the A Star is Born actor and director.

"Hey Jeff, I wish you were my dad," quipped Samberg, addressing actor Jeff Bridges, who will be presented later on Sunday with a lifetime achievement award.

On a more serious note, Asian actress Oh paid tribute to the plethora of Golden Globe-nominated films and TV shows featuring black and Asian actors and directors, including Crazy Rich Asians, Black Panther and BlacKkKLansman.

"I wanted to be here to look out into this audience and witness this moment of change, " she said. "Right now this moment is real. Because I see you ... all these faces of change. And now so will everyone else."

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The Golden Globes kicks off the countdown to the Oscars in February, and the remake of A Star is Born went into Sunday's ceremony with five nominations, including two for Cooper as actor and director.

Pop star Lady Gaga, sporting old-school glamor plus blue hair on the red carpet, is the front-runner for a best drama actress Golden Globe for her role in the movie - her first as a lead actress.

She also looks certain to take home the award for best original song, for her hit single "Shallow," while A Star is Born is a strong contender for the top Golden Globe of best drama film.

But there is stiff competition from box-office hits Black Panther, and Bohemian Rhapsody, which stars Rami Malek in an acclaimed performance as late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Despite being musicals, both Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star is Born are competing in the more prestigious drama race.

Political comedy Vice got the most Golden Globe nominations - six - but the film's scathing portrait of former US Vice President Dick Cheney has proved divisive among both audiences and film critics.

However, Christian Bale's performance as Cheney is favored to beat Lin-Manuel Miranda (Mary Poppins Returns) and Viggo Mortensen (Green Book) as best movie comedy actor on Sunday.

A strong line-up of comedies and musicals also includes Crazy Rich Asians and bawdy historical movie The Favourite, starring British front-runner Olivia Colman.