The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards celebration attracted American television, movie and music stars to Los Angeles on Monday, January 16th, 2006. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), NBC, Dick Clark Productions and Hollywood were the hosts of the annual show, which honors achievement in the film and television industries. 18.7 million viewers (about 2 million more than last year) tuned into the three-hour "Golden Globes", according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research figures.

NBC's broadcast of the Golden Globe Awards generally ranks as the third most-watched awards show each year, behind only the Oscars and the Grammys. The 2006 show was aired in 150 countries.

The Golden Globes are based on votes from more than 90 journalists living in Hollywood who are affiliated with international publications based outside the United States.

1,300 of Hollywood's elite were invited to the party.

Golden Globe winning "Best Director" Ang Lee, whose film also won the award for Best Picture of the Year, called it "an amazing year of American cinema."

Johnny Depp

Rugged Elegant Living's choice for best dressed, most "rugged elegant" soul celebrities of the 2006 Golden Globes included Sir Anthony Hopkins, "The Man" Clint Eastwood, John Travolta, Denzel Washington, as well as Reese Witherspoon, Emma Thompson, Teri Hatcher and Felicity Huffman.

The one star who exuded soul -- no matter what they said or wore -- was Johnny Depp. The only way to describe the talented actor, who was up for a nomination for his role in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? "Oooh Baby!"

The HFPA's Golden Globes attracted other notables including The President of The United States, i.e. an award-winning actress who plays the role of the first woman American president. Geena Davis came to the celebration already sparkling.

Commander in Chief Award-Winner

At the 2006 Golden Globes she went home with the award for Best Female Actress in a television series drama.

The new ABC/Touchstone drama she stars in, called Commander in Chief, is an inspiration to many young girls.

In this household, she has inspired a 10 year-old to consider one day becoming president of the free world. No kidding.

If they had been in Hollywood near the Red Carpet my daughter would have been that little girl Geena spoke of during her acceptance speech.

Geena Davis in Escada Red on The 2006 Golden Globes Red Carpet

Geena wore a stunning strapless red Escada gown to go with her red locks, red lips, red nails, and her latest red-hot performances shown on Tuesday nights at 9pm.

Geena co-stars in the show with all-time-great American actor Donald Sutherland.

However, it was neither Davis nor Donald Sutherland who captured our attention on January 16th. It was actually Mr. Sutherland's son who had us transfixed in front of the television for nearly four hours straight.

Having just returned from three days of skiing in Tahoe it was a tough decision on Monday night. 24 or The Golden Globes?

After getting shut out by a flaky cable system at Squaw Valley's PlumpJack Inn on Sunday night for Jack Bauer's fifth season premier, we were jonesing to know what happened to President Palmer.

Alas, 24 won on Monday.

By 1:45am early Tuesday morning, Tim and I had successfully survived the first four episodes of Kiefer Sutherland's 2006 adventures as Jack, I mean Frank, I mean Jack. You had to be there. On Monday night, 14.9 million were. Prior to deciding which show to watch, we got a little inspiration from three fellow Jack Bauer fans.

Our friend T.C. Berryhill wrote, "WOW .... 24 has done it again! Season 5 has me all JACKED up!!!!"

My brother and sister-in-law, with whom we watched the final episode of Season IV, called exactly 24 hours before 24's fifth season began to say:

Detailed message: The only detail you need to know is that it's twenty-four hours until 24.

My sly brother Brad chimed in "I'm Jack Bauer."

My sister-in-law, Pamela completed the message by saying, "Prepare to fasten your TiVo seatbelts."

On Monday night, Kiefer was actually in Los Angeles hoping to win a Golden Globe for his role as Jack Bauer. One of the more touching moments of the awards ceremony took place an hour and twenty-one minutes into the show during a transition to commercial. Kiefer came up to his dad, Donald and gave him a huge hug.

Father and son were both nominated for a Golden Globe on Monday night; the senior Sutherland for his role in Commander In Chief and the junior for his fourth season performance on 24.

Tim and I only watch three adult programs each week. Commander In Chief is one of them, when we can. 24 is one we will not miss. The other is E-Ring starring Benjamin Bratt and Dennis Hopper.

Tricia Cardozo with Kiefer Sutherland

While neither Sutherland took home the coveted award, Kiefer came and went to the awards celebration with the beautiful Tricia Cardozo.

Cardozo is a PR executive who once dated Red Hot Chilli Peppers drummer Chad Smith. Having previously worked for Paramount Pictures, she is no foreigner to Hollywood. The two deserve a spot on our "rugged elegant" couples list -- along with Reese and Ryan, Tim and Faith, and Seal and Heidi. The only thing better would have been to see Kiefer in a tux.

Movie Stars Who Had The Look & The Spirit

Anthony Hopkins, 2006 Cecil B. DeMille Award Winner

Sir Anthony Hopkins looked regal in his black tuxedo as he held his Golden Globe award. His award was one of the few people anticipated this year.

Jamie Foxx, who will also be a presenter for the 78th Academy Awards Presentation, referred to the 2006 Golden Globes as "unpredictable".

And that it was!

George Clooney

George Clooney was the first award-winner of the night. He took home a Golden Globe for his supporting role in Syriana. This was not necessarily a surprise. However, his comment about not yet having a drink made us wonder.

Russell Crowe

Bad boy Russell Crowe looked pretty good in a tux. He cleans up well.

Crowe was in America hoping to win an award for his role in Cinderella Man.

Chris Rock

Chris Rock gets the prize for best smile.

Harrison Ford will likely always make our best-dressed, most "rugged elegant" list -- no matter how old he is, what facial hair he is wearing (or not), and whether or not he is sporting a tuxedo or jeans.

Golden Globe-winner Reese Witherspoon won an award for her role as June Cash in Walk The Line. Her acceptance speech was one of the most tender of the night after her husband almost made her fall over before taking to the stage.

Ryan Phillippe & Reese Witherspoon

She and her husband, Ryan Phillippe, who is also in the movie business, were one of the most rugged elegant couples at this year's Golden Globe Awards.

Reese Witherspoon wore vintage couture, champagne and gold Chanel with Fred Leighton earrings. She looked like an award-winning "golden" star. Looking at the two of them, it would be hard to guess who considers who "the better half".

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman wore vintage Chanel and a cute pixie hairdo.

Melanie Griffith

Former Miss Golden Globe Melanie Griffith introduced her daughter Dakota Johnson as this year's Miss Golden Globe. Proud Papa Don Johnson was in the audience to cheer on his ex-wife and especially his daughter. Griffith arrived at the Golden Globes with both Dakota and Stella, Griffith's daughter with Antonio Banderas. Griffith not only looked pretty in pink, she looked the best we've seen her in years.

Queen Latifah looked regal in a teal Carmen Marc Valvo gown, Chopard jewelry and Stuart Weitzman shoes.

Rachel Weisz

Golden-Globe winning The Constant Gardener actress Rachel Weisz, who is five months pregnant, wore a Donna Karan gown and Cartier earrings.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron wore sheer black, lacey Christian Dior. She admitted that designer John Galliano made her dress only two weeks prior to the show.

We loved Diana Ossana's Golden Globes gown.

She and Larry McMurtry, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, won the award for the year's best screenplay.

The Brokeback Mountain co-writers' award was one of seven nominations for Annie Proulx's love story about a ranch hand and a rodeo cowboy.

Speaking of cowboys, albeit straight ones, Matthew McConaughey brought "rugged elegant" soul to the stage when he and Sarah Jessica Parker presented the Golden Globe to the makers of Paradise Now as the best foreign language film of the year.

This story about two prospective Palestinian terrorists will be available on DVD on March 21st. Director and co-writer Hany Abu-Assad said on stage that he hopes the film will inspire others to recognize that "the Palestinians deserve their liberty and their equality unconditionally."

The film made its World Premiere at the Berlin Film Festival 2005, where it won the Blue Angel Award for Best European Film, the Berliner Morgenpost Readers' Prize and the Amnesty International Award for Best Film.

Ziyi Zhang

While John Williams won the Golden Globe for his original score for Memoirs of a Geisha, the star of the film, Ziyi Zhang was not so lucky. But she did look gorgeous in green.

Zhang was nominated as best actress in the motion picture -- drama category alongside Gwyneth Paltrow (Proof), Charlize Theron (North Country), Maria Bello (A History of Violence) and Felicity Huffman (Transamerica). The Chinese actress lost out to Felicity Huffman.

Huffman was later seen dancing up a storm with her gracious movie star husband, William H. Macy.

Felicity Huffman Cuttin' Up A Rug with Husband William Macy

Macy gave Felicity center stage on the Red Carpet going into the awards show. At the after party, he was close at hand.

Earlier in the evening, Felicity spoke in her acceptance speech about the role of actors in our society.

She said:

I know as actors our job is usually to shed our skins. But in I think as people our job is to become who we really are.

And so I would like to salute the men and women who brave ostracism, alienation, and a life lived on the margins to become who they really are.

Last year, it was Annette Bening's acceptance speech which captured our hearts and spoke to our souls.

For entrepreneurs like us, who have chosen a non-corporate lifestyle much like aspiring actors in Hollywood, we resonate with Felicity's words. And we salute her!

Another Rugged Elegant Couple - Or Are They?

Regardless of whether or not they are a couple, two other movie stars who made our best-dressed, most rugged elegant list included Penelope Cruz and Matthew McConaughey. Both presented on Monday night. And they sat together during the show. However, they were not seen together on the Red Carpet or after the televised party. No matter. They both exude the healthy, adventuresome, soulful spirit we love to promote.

TV Stars Who Had The Look & The Spirit

Elaine Miller in emerald green looked stunning as she presented the Golden Globe to Hugh Laurie for best actor in a TV series drama. She had eyes to match.

Hugh Laurie

Laurie wrote down 172 names of people to thank when he won a Golden Globe for being the best actor in a television series drama. The British gent randomly chose three names from his "trouser" pocket. Script supervisor Ira Horowitz, a hairstylist by the name of Diana and his agent Christian were the three lucky names called out for supporting him in his role in House. Laurie then went on to thank the concept creator, writer, his wife and three kids. He looked like a winner and acted the part, as well.

Teri Hatcher

Teri Hatcher wore a glittering gold Versace gown. While she did not personally take home a Globe as she did last year, she was not alone. None of her Desperate Housewives co-stars who received Best Actress nominations won for their role on television. This year's Golden Globe went to Mary-Louise Parker for her role in Weeds.

Hatcher, Huffman, Sheridan, Longoria & Cross AP Photo Credit: Reed Saxon

However, Hatcher, left, Felicity Huffman, second from left, Nicollette Sheridan, center, Eva Longoria, second from right, and Marcia Cross, right, enjoyed the award their show won for best television series musical or comedy.

On Monday night, there were lots of surprise wins. One of the actresses who appeared most surprised to win was S. Epatha Merkerson for her role as Rachel "Nanny" Crosby in the HBO film Lackawanna Blues. Merkerson's soulful acceptance speech was one of our favorites of the night. The Tony and NAACP Image award-winning actress said at the Golden Globes podium:

This is so amazing. I'm fifty-three years old, and this was my first lead in a film.

I feel like I'm 16. But if I wasn't in the middle of a hot flash I'd believe that. I'm in the middle of a major hot flash.

I really want to thank NBC. No, let me start with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for giving me this. I have to thank NBC because NBC has employed me for the past 16 years, thirteen of those on Law & Order.

She went on to thank Dick Wolfe (Law & Order creator) and the producers and staff and the cast and crew. She thanked a similar bunch of folks associated with the creation of Lackawanna Blues, as well as her date for the night, actor Jesse L. Martin (who masterfully played the role of Tom Collins in Chris Columbus' 'Rent' The Movie. Martin is Merkerson's co-star on Law & Order She also called him her baby brother.

Among the numerous others who influenced her career path, she credited the director of Lackawanna Blues, George C. Wolfe, whom she said, "with every frame taught me to be a better actor."

Backstage, she said winning the award on Martin Luther King Day was an honor. Regarding the civil rights leader's efforts, she said "it allowed me to stand up in front of you today."

How "sweet" it is for "Sweet" Epatha Merkerson! Congratulations!!

Music Stars at The Golden Globes

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill

Country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill brought Nashville celebrity to Los Angeles on January 16th.

Seal and Heidi Klum

Meanwhile, new parents, Seal and Heidi Klum looked gorgeous in black and white, as always.

The best dressed, most "rugged elegant" of the night was the Golden Globe itself, especially adorning the hands of winners such as George Clooney and Reese Witherspoon.

Other Golden Globe winners on January 16th were the 50-plus presenters. Each received a goodie bag with items worth at least $62,000. Spa gift certificates, designer watches, a $300 vacuum cleaner (as if they can really use that, personally) and pet couture were among the perks presented. Also included was a $22,000 two-week Antarctic expedition on a 54-cabin ship, a $15,000 "Northwest Territories Diamond Experience" tour to Canada with "professional diamond cutting and polishing lessons", a $1,250 pair of jeans with a diamond button by Sol Raphael, and a $2,000 diamond ring, courtesy of Chopard. All total, each lucky presenter received 31 gifts in their goodie bag.

Motion Picture Studios Awards

Focus Features 5
Twentieth Century Fox 3
IFC Films 1
The Weinstein Company 1
Sony Pictures Releasing International 1
Warner Bros. Pictures 1
Warner Independent Pictures 1
Sony Pictures Classics 1
UA 1

Television Networks Awards

ABC 4
HBO 3
NBC 1
CBS 1
FOX 1
Showtime 1

Motion Picture Awards

Brokeback Mountain 4

Walk The Line 3

Capote 1

The Constant Gardener 1

Memoirs of a Geisha 1

Paradise Now (Palestine) 1

Syriana 1

Transamerica 1

Television Series or Program Awards

Empire Falls 2

Commander In Chief 1

Desperate Housewives 1

Elvis 1

Grey's Anatomy 1

House 1

Lackawanna Blues 1

Lost 1

The Office 1

Weeds 1

Congratulations to all the actors, actresses, filmmakers and television show creators who were nominated this year.

And congratulations to the producers of the Golden Globes show, who added intriguing adjectives to each nominees name, which made us all the more inspired to go to the movie theater and/or rent from NetFlix.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "golden" (thank God for those TiVo seatbelts) living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC