Clumsy, bizarre, yet ultimately gratifying… the Golden Globes have made a comeback.
The ceremony on Sunday was largely dominated by the nuclear-themed drama “Oppenheimer” and the acclaimed HBO series “Succession,” both sweeping up numerous awards. However, it was the night’s spontaneous moments that truly captivated the audience. Presenters Andra Day and Jon Batiste teamed up to deliver a comical presentation of music awards, while “Barbie” actors Issa Rae and Simu Liu humorously fantasized about playing “white people roles.” Kieran Culkin of “Succession” playfully ribbed Pedro Pascal in his speech, and Ayo Edebiri of “The Bear” amusingly gasped for air on stage, backtracking on her thanks to anyone she might have overlooked “unless you were mean or something.”
Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro” was notably absent from the winners’ list, potentially impacting its awards season campaign. Similarly, “Barbie,” despite its nine nominations, failed to secure any major awards, questioning its Oscar momentum. The Globes controversially introduced an award for box office success, which “Barbie” won, but this move was met with criticism and did little to bolster the film’s standing.
Star-studded couples like Timothée Chalamet with Kylie Jenner and Ali Wong with Bill Hader didn’t shy away from showing affection during the event, and Margot Robbie dazzled the red carpet, channeling a classic “Barbie” look from 1977.
Here’s some notable moments from the controversial night:
Jo Koy’s opening monologue hits sour notes, including a Taylor Swift quip
Comedian Jo Koy faced a tough crowd during his debut as the Globes host, with his opening act and a joke about Taylor Swift’s love life with Travis Kelce falling flat, prompting disapproval not only from the audience, but from the general public, including Swift’s faithful fans. Koy tried to deflect the criticism by joking about the writers and the short notice he had for the gig, but media was far from forgiving.
Jennifer Lawrence’s viral cheering for Emma Stone’s victory
Jennifer Lawrence celebrated Emma Stone’s win for best comedy actress with infectious enthusiasm, a moment that quickly took social media by storm. An emotional Lawrence was later seen as Stone accepted her award, with their friend Taylor Swift joining in on the standing ovation.
Charming acceptance speeches from “Oppenheimer” stars Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.
Cillian Murphy won his first Golden Globe for his lead role as Dr. Oppenheimer in the bio-pic of the same name. Robert Downey Jr. also captivated the audience with his humor and gratitude in his speech for best supporting actor, with his role as Lewis Strass marking his comeback into the limelight.
“They [Downey’s agents] had the gall to say I needed to restart my career,” he commented. “It’s so fun proving agents right.”
Lily Gladstone and Paul Giamatti deliver standout speeches
The evening concluded with impactful speeches from Lily Gladstone, who made history with her win for “Killers of the Flower Moon” (she is the first Native American performer to win the Best Leading Actress in a Drama award), and Paul Giamatti, who dedicated his award for best comedy actor for “The Holdovers” to teachers, highlighting the importance of their profession.
It can be said this year’s Golden Globes were a sobering reminder of the event’s diminished significance in the awards season. The show failed to capture the magic that once made it engaging, and with other ceremonies like the SAG Awards, the Independent Spirit Awards, and the BAFTAs on the horizon, there is hope for more impactful and memorable moments leading up to Hollywood’s most prestigious night, the Academy Awards.