Look, here was the best thing about the show last night. We all had …low expectations, right? This show just got out of being the TV equivalent of grounded, you wouldn’t think it would have been surprising, but people said a lot of fun stuff, and also a lot of – for lack of a better phrase – Oscar campaign stuff. 

 

So if you tell me, ELAINE, that Colin Farrell’s Irish accent has gotten stronger recently, well, okay, sure, it maybe doesn’t altogether hurt his chances to remind people that he’s from the same strange place his strange wonderful movie is set, but also, that strange wonderful movie is full of Irish people and half of them are there, and maybe it’s that!?**

But Colin Farrell’s speech had so many Irishisms that have nothing to do with trying to get people to think he’s cute, and I love that he hasn’t shaken them after all this time. 

Herewith: 

“It’s not a joke, but you can laugh if you like.” 

Standard Irish humour. ‘Don’t worry about me, I’m not a threat, except I’m a bit quick, aren’t I?’ 

 

Also, giving fully all the attention in the room to someone else in what is absolutely your moment? Truly, masterful Irish lack of self-regard.

“Ye can forget that piano.” 

The fact that the piano player was so maligned – like, to the point where I think Jerrod Carmichael had to call off the internet demons – is the night’s best co-plot, and it started here, with a line ripped straight from the pub. 

“…Begrudgingly will be grateful to you for the rest of my life.” 

There can be absolutely no sincerity without undercutting it in one way or another. Is that clear!?

 

Like, the man has been a ‘famous’ actor for at least 20 years, and he’s still so thoroughly not really that guy, you know? He said he was ‘horrified’ by the popularity train Banshees is on, albeit “in a thrilling kind of way”.  I just love that he’s the same guy he was – or pretends he is – right down to chastising Barry Keoghan for eating his ‘Crunchy Nut Cornflakes’. 

But it can’t be all put on. The man actually finished his speech with a muttered “All the best to ye”, like he was saying goodbye at his aunt’s house after 17 attempts to escape. That’s authenticity, baby. 

**Not writer/director Martin McDonagh, though, nor his partner Phoebe Waller-Bridge, they’re both Brits. Which brought me to – who was he talking about when he said the Globes never give a woman anything they’re not contractually obligated to?