The best zingers from the Golden Globes

Ricky Gervais at the Golden GlobesThe Associated Press

The humour at this year's Golden Globes may not have had the sharp edges as it did last year, but host Ricky Gervais and several guests did manage to work some barbed zingers into the show. Here, we round up the best of them.

"For any of you who don't know, the Golden Globes are just like the Oscars, but without all that esteem." -Gervais in his opening monologue

"The Golden Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian are to Kate Middleton: a bit louder, bit trashier, bit drunker and more easily bought—allegedly. Nothing's been proved." -Gervais in his opening monologue

"[Bridesmaids star Melissa McCarthy]made her mark in comedy this summer by defecating in to a sink. Amazingly, that's still less demeaning than what most of you have done to make it in show business." -Gervais, introducing McCarthy to present an award.

"Hello, I am Seth Rogen, and I am currently trying to conceal a massive erection." -Rogen, standing alongside fellow award presenter Kate Beckinsale

"If I'm still just like a virgin, Ricky, then why don't you come over here and do something about it. I haven't kissed a girl in a few years." -Madonna, presenting an award after Gervais introduced her by raising his eyebrows when he said she was just like a virgin.

"Our next presenter is British, like me. But unlike me, he's won an Oscar for his brilliant portrayal in The King's Speech. He's also swooned over by women. I don't see it. I don't get it, but good luck to him. He's also loved by the critics, [in mock critic voice]'Oh, good for him.' But what you don't know about him is, he's very racist. In private I mean really nasty stuff. He also, I've seen him punch a little blind kitten. Please welcome the evil Colin Firth." -Gervais, introducing Firth to present an award.

"As I was on my way in I noticed some very angry religious people outside with big placards threatening us all with brimstone and pestilence and perdition for our sins. What they don't realize is we have Ricky." -Firth, firing back at Gervais.