The 2024 Golden Globes marked a pivotal moment in the film industry, showcasing outstanding achievements in cinema and celebrating the creative talents that bring stories to life on the big screen. Well, at least that was what it was supposed to do.
As a film student, the event provides a unique lens through which to analyze the state of the industry, the recognition of diverse voices, and the impact of these awards on aspiring filmmakers. Despite this year’s lengthy roster of impactful films that challenged status quo, like Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, which unapologetically shared a tale about the female experience, and Martin Scorcese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, which allowed actress Lily Gladstone, from the Blackfeet First Nation in Montana, to make history as the the first Indigenous actor to win a Golden Globe for Best Female Actor in a Drama, it seemed as if the event revealed the true colors of the entertainment industry, being that it remained painfully outdated and still desperately needing advancement in both on and off-screen representation.
No awards ceremony is without its controversies, and the 2024 Golden Globes were no exception. Although it most definitely had its moments of celebration and recognition for very deserving artists and creatives, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the mixed reviews and criticisms regarding the hosting of the event. The choice of a host can significantly impact the tone and overall experience of an awards ceremony, and Jo Koy, a very well-known Filipino stand-up comedian, became the very first Asian to solo host the Golden Globes this year. However, many argued that he fell short of expectations. His comedic timing and “punching-down” comedy clearly missed the mark for audiences, receiving awkward looks and resulting in a severe disconnect that could not be salvaged.
One of his most infamous jokes, that is already making its way through multiple social media platforms, poked fun at the “insubstantial” message behind Gerwig’s film Barbie when compared to that of its competing counterpart, Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Not only did his monologue completely misunderstand the message behind Gerwig’s film, but it also made multiple references to Margot Robbie’s physique and breasts (which ultimately goes against everything that Gerwig attempted to say within her film in the first place). Also, to the Swifities’ dismay, he cracked a joke about pop superstar Taylor Swift and her highly-publicized romance with NFL player Travis Kelce, ultimately demeaning her to be simply a product of her romantic relationship rather than a creative artist. All around, his monologue came across as extremely outdated and painfully sexist, getting only awkward straight-faced looks from the audience when we cut back to their reactions.
However, this is not to say that there were no highlights in this year’s Golden Globe ceremony. In fact, one of the most widely-viewed clips of the award ceremony was footage of Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner closely whispering to each other, leading viewers on Tiktok to try lip-reading their romantic conversation. Some other fun moments at the Globe included when Kieran Culkin jokingly told Pedro Pascal to “suck it!” when he won for Best Television Male Actor in a Drama and when Ali Wong thanked her ex-husband during her speech for winning Best Actress in a Limited Series, directly after receiving a congratulatory kiss from her current partner, Bill Hader (and boy, do I love this pairing!).
Ultimately, the 2024 Golden Globes weren’t for me. Personally, I found that a lackluster host can detract from the celebratory atmosphere that an event like the Golden Globes aims to create, leaving a lasting impression on viewers, including film students such as myself who may look to these ceremonies for inspiration and entertainment. The importance of a skilled and engaging host is a lesson in the art of presentation, something that resonates with aspiring filmmakers as they consider all facets of the industry. However, I hope that both viewers and the academy can learn from this year’s award ceremony to ensure that the next will be able to reflect a greater positive shift towards recognizing a broader range of voices, experiences, and storytelling styles (with a host that has actually watched the nominated films, as well).