"Harvey Weinstein isn't here tonight," said Seth Meyers at the beginning of his Golden Globes opening monologue.

"He'll be back in 20 years to be booed during the in memoriam segment."

The killer joke, one of many that Meyers landed during his feisty 10-minute routine, prompted laughter, gasps, and, yes, a chorus of boos.

Meyers took the opportunity to land yet another shot at Weinstein afterwards: "It will sound like that."

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Weinstein, the disgraced movie mogul facing multiple sexual harassment claims, has sparked a movement in Hollywood against pay and gender disparities, as well as harassment, in the industry.

The fallout of the last few months weighed heavily on today's Golden Globes, with many wearing black on the red carpet in solidarity. Some even spoke out against the network, E!, hosting today's ceremony after Catt Sadler resigned after discovering her male co-host earned more than her.

Meyers kept landing blows during his monologue.

"Good evening ladies and remaining gentlemen. It's 2018: marijuana is finally allowed and sexual harassment finally isn't. It's going to be a good year," he said.

"For the male nominees in the room tonight this is the first time in three months it won't be terrifying to hear your name read out loud."

Meyers also addressed the issue of yet another white male hosting the awards ceremony, joking that because it was being held in Hollywood hotel, no women would do it.

He also took aim at US President Donald Trump, quipping that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association was a "string of words that couldn't be better designed to annoy our president".

Meyers then looked at actor Seth Rogan and said: "Remember when he was the guy making trouble with North Korea? Simpler times."

He also joked with Oprah Winfrey and Tom Hanks, suggesting they could run for the presidency and vice presidency respectively in 2020.

His opening monologue was approved by viewers, with one suggesting he should next host the Academy Awards.

The Golden Globes, which honours those in the film and TV industry, will conclude around 5pm.