AFP - 1625 PST: NBC's Natalie Morales says she's worried about standing too close to best supporting actor nominee Stanley Tucci, who plays a serial killer in "The Lovely Bones". He tells her it was "Probably the hardest role I ever had to play".

A dapper Colin Firth meanwhile reveals he had personal assistance from designer Tom Ford, who directed him in "A Single Man", for his outfit, some apparently very expensive 1920s studs and cuff links. "I own a nice house and make a nice living but I'm not in a position to own these," the Brit star says.

Kate Hudson arrives wearing a white strapless number and is immediately asked about this by Billy Bush -- he seems obsessed by the rain's potential to turn celebrities' costumes transparent. The actress doesn't seem too worried and there certainly doesn't seem to be any shortage of umbrellas shielding the stars from the elements.

1616 PST: It's a wet crush on the red carpet as the celebs start to arrive en masse. A beared and umbrella-less George Clooney is one of the first to be jumped on by Access Hollywood's Billy Bush. "We are standing in the rain like a couple of 'true idiots'", he tells Bush before heading off to sign autographs for fans, many of whom are wearing bin bags to keep dry.

Precious star Gabourey Sidibe, a best dramatic actress contender, arrives resplendent in green. "The rain is ruining my dress and not my night," she giggles.

Josh Duhamel and Fergie arrive followed by best dramatic actor Jeff Bridges contender, who reveals he almost passed on Crazy Heart.

Mad Men's January Jones is asked "Who's your umbrella by?" but doesn't seem to know.

1601 PST: Welcome to AFP?s live blog of the 67th Golden Globes, kicking off shortly at the Beverly Hilton hotel in an unusually dark and rainy Los Angeles. The umbrellas are out in force but spirits seem high judging by the screaming of fans lining the red carpet awaiting the arrival of some of the biggest names in film and TV.

The Globes, the first major ceremony of the awards season, is often described as the stars? favourite; a less formal and looser-lipped sister to the Academy Awards where the booze flows and those on stage get to say and do pretty much what they want.

Organisers are hoping to up the ante this year with risqué host British comedian Ricky Gervais -- the show?s first host in 15 years.

A someone-for-everyone line-up of star presenters -- from Sophia Loren to Twilight hunk Taylor Lautner -- is also angling to revitalize interest in the telecast, which has seen ratings slump dramatically in recent years.

So, we can expect plenty of mischief from the master of ceremonies and maybe some of the winners too -- though hopefully not too much mooning a la Jack Nicholson. Here we go...