Rambling Christian Bale calls Vice a 'love story to America' one week after comparing Dick Cheney to Satan during bizarre speech at the Critics' Choice Awards as tearful Lady Gaga accepts her first acting award for A Star Is Born

  • Bale, who won Best Actor in Comedy, said he was 'so proud' to be part of Vice
  • He then went on a long and rambling speech, even thanking Louis Armstrong 
  • Taye Diggs put his Broadway background to use with a song to Cardi B's 'I Like It'
  • Referenced films including Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman, Crazy Rich Asians
  • Lady Gaga was the night's first winner and paid tribute to Bradley Cooper  

Christian Bale had some kinder words for the subjects of Vice as he accepted the award for Best Actor in a Comedy at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday. 

'I'm actually so proud, as somebody who came to America when I was 17, I am so proud to be part of a film that is a love story, in my mind, to America,' the English actor told the star-studded audience.  

'It's been so generous, America,' he continued. 'Introduced me to my gorgeous wife, raising my beautiful family, cannot thank America enough.' 

Bale's speech struck a gentler tone than the one he took at the Golden Globes, when he compared Dick Cheney to 'Satan' while accepting Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy. 

Christian Bale had some kinder words for the subjects of Vice as he accepted the award for Best Actor in a Comedy at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday, calling the film a 'love story' to America 

Christian Bale had some kinder words for the subjects of Vice as he accepted the award for Best Actor in a Comedy at the Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday, calling the film a 'love story' to America 

'Thank you to Satan for giving me inspiration for playing this role,' Bale said in an apparent snub to the former vice president last week. 

The political satire shows an unrecognizable Bale as Cheney, depicting the former second-in-command as the ruthless mastermind behind George W Bush's presidency.

And while he may have chosen sweeter words this week, Bale still managed to sneak in some subtle criticism. 

'We've been put in a comedy, I guess time sort of allows it to be a comedy but it's really a tragedy, isn't it?' Bale said after he was named the category's winner. 

Bale then launched into a long speech, blatantly ignoring the music that tried to nudge him off the stage as he thanked everyone from the doctor who 'fattened me up without killing me' for Vice to famous American trumpet player Louis Armstrong. 

Bale's speech struck a gentler tone than he took at the Golden Globes, when he compared Dick Cheney to 'Satan' while accepting Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy

Bale's speech struck a gentler tone than he took at the Golden Globes, when he compared Dick Cheney to 'Satan' while accepting Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy

Bale then launched into a long speech, blatantly ignoring the music that tried to nudge him off the stage as he thanked everyone from the doctor who 'fattened me up without killing me' to famous American trumpet player Louis Armstrong

Bale then launched into a long speech, blatantly ignoring the music that tried to nudge him off the stage as he thanked everyone from the doctor who 'fattened me up without killing me' to famous American trumpet player Louis Armstrong

'I want to thank Louis Armstrong because why not? He's such a beautiful man,' Bale said as the crowd laughed. 

Bale was back on stage at the end of the night after being named Best Actor, and joked that he didn't 'have anything to say - I said it all in my last one'. 

But that didn't stop Bale from launching into a quick monologue about acting and what it meant to him. 

'I always admire people who are willing to make a fool of themselves and that's what I think acting is really all about - embracing humiliation,' he said. 

'And I've enjoyed it so much. It's so wonderful when you can only really do one thing in your life, it's great to be recognized for it.'   

While Bale brought some humor to the award show, it was Lady Gaga who brought the tears as she finally took an acting award home for her role in A Star Is Born.   

Lady Gaga was the second name to be called in the night's second tie, as it was revealed both she and Glenn Close had been chosen for Best Actress. 

The pop star was overcome with emotion as she headed to the stage, tripping up the stairs twice and revealing she had spilled water all over herself. 

'I went to places in my mind and in my heart that I did not know existed or that I could,' Lady Gaga said during her touching speech. 

'This is a tremendous honor. I feel recognized not just for my performance, but for the inner work it took in the creation of this character.' 

While Bale brought some humor to the award show, it was Lady Gaga who brought the tears as she finally took an acting award home for her role in A Star Is Born

While Bale brought some humor to the award show, it was Lady Gaga who brought the tears as she finally took an acting award home for her role in A Star Is Born

Lady Gaga was the second name to be called in the night's second tie, as it was revealed both she and Glenn Close had been chosen for Best Actress

Lady Gaga was the second name to be called in the night's second tie, as it was revealed both she and Glenn Close had been chosen for Best Actress

Lady Gaga then paid tribute to Bradley Cooper, calling him a 'magical filmmaker' and a 'magical human being'. 

'I have never had an experience with a director or an actor like I had with you and I will cherish it forever,' she continued. 

'You seamlessly were the love of my life and the man behind the camera.' 

Lady Gaga then opened up about the obstacles she had to overcome to play Ally, a character whose journey from obscurity to superstardom was much like her own. 

'It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, to re-live something I'm not quite sure I wanted to re-live,' she said. 

'But I was able to be vulnerable in a way that I never have before because of that love and the trust.' 

As the music began to play, Lady Gaga joked that she could still talk 'with a piano in the background'. 

'I want to thank life for all the experiences I had to draw from to become this role,' she continued. 

The pop star was overcome with emotion as she headed to the stage, tripping up the stairs twice and revealing she had spilled water all over herself

The pop star was overcome with emotion as she headed to the stage, tripping up the stairs twice and revealing she had spilled water all over herself

Glenn Close's name was called first after it was revealed there was a tie for Best Actress 

Glenn Close's name was called first after it was revealed there was a tie for Best Actress 

'I would like to dedicate this award tonight to all people who have suffered from alcoholism or addiction or who have watched their loved ones suffer. This is the true star of the film, the true star of the film is not me its bravery and perseverance.'   

Host Taye Diggs kicked off the awards show on Sunday night, putting his Broadway background to good use as he celebrated a year of cinema that was packed with diversity. 

'It was particularly a great year for African Americans, black filmmakers earned a record $1.5billion at the domestic box office,' Diggs told the crowd full of celebrities. 

Then, to the tune of Cardi B's hit song 'I Like It', Diggs launched into a celebration of the 'representation of my brothers and sisters'. 

Hollywood's award season continued its parade to the Oscars with the Critics' Choice Award on Sunday, which Taye Diggs kicked off with a song and dance about diversity 

Hollywood's award season continued its parade to the Oscars with the Critics' Choice Award on Sunday, which Taye Diggs kicked off with a song and dance about diversity 

Diggs put his Broadway background to good use as he celebrated a year of cinema that was packed with inclusivity 

Diggs put his Broadway background to good use as he celebrated a year of cinema that was packed with inclusivity 

His musical tribute featured references to a slew of this year's biggest films, including Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman. 

Diggs was accompanied by what he called his 'Black up' singers and dancers, who often chimed in with hilarious lines. 

When Diggs referenced the Ku Klux Klan, the girls sang 'they're not cool, they're racist'. When he mentioned Dick Cheney, portrayed in the nominated film Vice, the girls added 'Dick Cheney's not black'. 

'Barry Jenkins made us wonder what Beale Street would say,' Diggs continued. 'Where my Crazy Rich Asians at?' 

To the tune of Cardi B's hit song 'I Like It', Diggs launched into a celebration of the 'representation of my brothers and sisters'

To the tune of Cardi B's hit song 'I Like It', Diggs launched into a celebration of the 'representation of my brothers and sisters'

Diggs was accompanied by what he called his 'Black up' singers and dancers, who often chimed in with hilarious lines

Diggs was accompanied by what he called his 'Black up' singers and dancers, who often chimed in with hilarious lines

His musical tribute featured references to a slew of this year's biggest films, including Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman

His musical tribute featured references to a slew of this year's biggest films, including Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman

'Let's give it up for the queen,' he said, before revealing he was referring to Regina King.  

Following Diggs' opening tune, it was only natural that the first award of the night would be rewarded to Best Song. 

And Lady Gaga continued her sweep of the category this award season for the hit Shallow, which won the Golden Globe just last week. 

'Oh my goodness, thank you so much,' Lady Gaga told the crowd as she took the stage in a simple light pink gown. 

Lady Gaga continued her sweep in the Best Song category for her tune Shallow from A Star Is Born on Sunday 

Lady Gaga continued her sweep in the Best Song category for her tune Shallow from A Star Is Born on Sunday 

'Oh my goodness, thank you so much,' Lady Gaga told the crowd as she took the stage in a simple light pink gown

'Oh my goodness, thank you so much,' Lady Gaga told the crowd as she took the stage in a simple light pink gown

Lady Gaga paid tribute to Bradley Cooper, who directed and starred alongside her in the film 

Lady Gaga paid tribute to Bradley Cooper, who directed and starred alongside her in the film 

'I'll never forget when we wrote this song together, I'll never forget playing it for Bradley the first time and seeing his face light up and singing it live together, take after take,' she continued as the crowd laughed. 

'I was mesmerized as myself and as my character Ally. I was basking in the brilliant transformation of Bradley into Jackson Maine, overwhelmed by the storytelling and power in his voice.' 

'This song is a conversation between men and women,' she continued, echoing her words from the red carpet earlier that night. 

'Asking each other questions about life, and a desire for more depth in the shallowness of our modern era. I'm so happy it resonated with you.'  

 The first two acting awards of the nights were proof that Diggs' song was speaking the truth, as Regina King and Mahershala Ali both nabbed supporting actor wins

 The first two acting awards of the nights were proof that Diggs' song was speaking the truth, as Regina King and Mahershala Ali both nabbed supporting actor wins

Mahershala Ali paid tribute to Green Book composer Kris Bowers after winning Best Supporting Actor on Sunday 

Mahershala Ali paid tribute to Green Book composer Kris Bowers after winning Best Supporting Actor on Sunday 

The first two acting awards of the nights were proof that Diggs' song was speaking the truth, as Regina King and Mahershala Ali both nabbed supporting actor wins.

Ali brought Green Book composer Kris Bowers to the podium to pay him special thanks, revealing Bowers taught him how to play the piano for the role.  

Both Ali and King won their categories at last week's Golden Globes as well - a good sign as the race to the Oscars continues. 

The Favourite nabbed Best Acting Ensemble, but stars Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz all skipped out on the ceremony - with presenter Cole Sprouse joking they were overseas for a 'high stakes duck race'. 

Sarah Silverman made a Bird Box joke as she presented the award for Best Sci-Fi or Horror Movie on Sunday 

Sarah Silverman made a Bird Box joke as she presented the award for Best Sci-Fi or Horror Movie on Sunday 

Diggs made a quick outfit change and got laughs from the crowd early on during the ceremony

Diggs made a quick outfit change and got laughs from the crowd early on during the ceremony

Claire Foy accepted the #SeeHer award at the 24th annual Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday

Claire Foy accepted the #SeeHer award at the 24th annual Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday

Darren Criss contiued his own award season sweep for his role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace on Sunday

Darren Criss contiued his own award season sweep for his role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace on Sunday

Darren Criss continued his own sweep for his role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace, which has also won him an Emmy and Golden Globe. 

And the former Glee star scored laughs from the crowd as he apologized for any future 'lackluster performances'. 

'I hope when that happens you will remember this moment, because I certainly will,' he added. 

There was a very rare tie in the Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries, with both Amy Adams and Patricia Arquette nabbing the award

There was a very rare tie in the Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries, with both Amy Adams and Patricia Arquette nabbing the award

Crazy Rich Asians won big with Best Comedy and the entire cast happily took the stage to accept the award 

Crazy Rich Asians won big with Best Comedy and the entire cast happily took the stage to accept the award 

Rachel Brosnahan continued to dominate for her work in The Marvelous Mrs Maisel - which has also won her a Golden Globe and Emmy Award

Rachel Brosnahan continued to dominate for her work in The Marvelous Mrs Maisel - which has also won her a Golden Globe and Emmy Award

The cast of Big Bang Theory were out in full force to honor creator Chuck Lorre with the Critics' Choice Creative Achievement Award

The cast of Big Bang Theory were out in full force to honor creator Chuck Lorre with the Critics' Choice Creative Achievement Award

There was a very rare tie in the Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries, with both Amy Adams and Patricia Arquette nabbing the award. 

The pair stood arm in arm on the podium and went back and forth as they thanked their respective network, cast, and families. 

Crazy Rich Asians won big with Best Comedy, while Rachel Brosnahan continued to dominate for her work in The Marvelous Mrs Maisel - which has, like Criss, also won her a Golden Globe and Emmy Award. 

Alfonso Cuaron continued his victory lap with Roma, winning Best Director a week after he nabbed the same award at the Golden Globes. 

Cuaron used his acceptance speech to reference Donald Trump's ongoing fight to build a wall at the US-Mexico border. 

'The other side - which is perceived as foreign - is often misunderstood,' he said. 

'Films cannot break down walls, but they can offer windows to the other side. And when we look through this window, what we find is our own reflection.'    

Many of Sunday's winners mirrored those at last week's Golden Globes, with The Americans and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel once again nabbing awards for Best Drama Series and Best Comedy Series, respectively. 

Alfonso Cuaron continued his victory lap with Roma, winning Best Director a week after he nabbed the same award at the Golden Globes

Alfonso Cuaron continued his victory lap with Roma, winning Best Director a week after he nabbed the same award at the Golden Globes

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Taye Diggs kicks off Critics' Choice award with musical number on diversity

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