Eat, drink and be merry

What everyone ate ...

Rubber chicken just wouldn’t do. Following are the menu choices offered to Golden Globe attendees.

SALAD

Asian Flair Salad

Cellophane Noodles Served in Bibb Lettuce Cup

Twin Vegetable Medallions

Two Marinated Jumbo Shrimp

Garnished with Avocado and Tomato

Served with Javanese Dressing

ENTREE

Medallion of Beef Tenderloin

Topped with Black Trumpet Mushrooms

Paired with Sea Bass with Madeira Sauce

Served on a Bed of Mashed Potatoes

Fava Beans, Asparagus Spears and Eggplant with Pesto, Zucchini Medallions and Baby Carrots

Pretzel Rolls & Pretzel Twists

Served with Butter

DESSERT

Golden Globe

Chocolate Dome Dusted in Gold

Filled with Chocolate Mousse

Sitting on White Chocolate Marble Square

Plate Painted with Raspberry & Mango Sauce

Twin Rosettes of Whipped Cream

Garnished with Raspberries

Topped with White Chocolate Film Strip

Freshly Brewed Coffee (Regular & Decaffeinated)

Herbal Tea

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What the presenters got ...

Most of them didn’t go home with a trophy, but the presenters at the Golden Globes got something tangibly more valuable: steamer trunks each full of $26,000 worth of gifts, including a $7,000 spa package, a $990 pumpkin leather tote and a $570 caviar spoon.

It’s called swag -- the presents heaped on guests and celebrities by promoters hoping to publicize their merchandise or services. But who knows if Uma Thurman or Jack Nicholson will ever actually use the $2,000 Bella Pooch Pet Gift Package, the $2,000 Evolution surfboard, wear the $335 Stuart Weitzman shoes or eat the $50 Ethel M chocolates?

“More companies are aware of the benefits of having their products in the hands of celebrities. It’s not like we sought out an increased amount,” said Scott Orlin, a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.

“They get so many offers, they turn down those worth less than $250.”

The estimated value of the swag is not that unusual in the world of awards shows. “At Sundance, they were giving away plasma screen TVs,” Orlin said. But this year’s presenters’ gifts are worth more than double last year’s -- $12,000.

Swag has become so common, presenters and guests “start expecting it now,” he said. The presenters received their treasure chests at Saturday’s rehearsal. Guests redeemed their own goody bags with ticket stubs.

Orlin said HFPA members have learned to counter a variety of ploys to get a bag.

“They will drop every name possible,” Orlin said. “They say, ‘I was just at the Miramax party. Harvey Weinstein said I could stop by.’ They say, ‘I lost my coupon.’ We say, ‘What table?’ They say, ‘Table 7.’ We say, ‘Who else was sitting at the table?’ ”

Lynn Smith

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What they said ...

“A good thing about this coming early is I get to drink now.”

-- Tim Robbins, who was awarded the evening’s first Golden Globe,

for best supporting actor in a

motion picture (“Mystic River”)

“I sure as hell wasn’t prepared to be rediscovered by Nancy Meyers!”

-- Diane Keaton, winner for best

actress in a motion picture, musical or

comedy (“Something’s Gotta Give”),

referring to the movie’s director

“This is ridiculous. Thank you so much, Hollywood Foreign Press. Now I remember it. I’ve been here [on stage] before....two bookends, excellent.”

-- Ricky Gervais, winner for best actor

in a TV series, musical or comedy

(“The Office”), referring to the

show’s earlier win for best TV series,

musical or comedy

“I’m going to insist on it in my contracts.”

-- Keaton, when asked if she would

consider disrobing in another film

“Thank you. I just realized you can see completely through my dress.”

Meryl Streep, winner for best actress

in a miniseries or movie made

for television (“Angels in America”)

“I will be eternally grateful to Karl Malden for showing me what a work ethic was about.”

-- Michael Douglas, accepting the

Cecil B. DeMille award

“It was a privilege ... to shovel out the barn with you.”

-- Renee Zellweger, best supporting

actress in a motion picture, referring

to “Cold Mountain” costar

(and best dramatic actress nominee)

Nicole Kidman