After a year of actual normalcy (one without strikes or a pandemic), Hollywood is back to its regularly scheduled programming, which includes a fun and frenzied Golden Globes. The enjoyable but unserious cousin of the awards shows has finally found its stride, post-Hollywood Foreign Press Association scandals. Following an absolute dud of a ceremony last January, the Golden Globes righted its wrongs by offering nominees and viewers something both wholly different and beautifully familiar.
Comedian Nikki Glaser, the first solo female host in the show’s history, dived right in with a strong and quippy opening monologue. The ex-“FBoy Island” host covered a wide range of topics, including the 2024 Presidential election results and the #MeToo movement, and was vibrant and zingy from the moment she opened her mouth. Glaser quickly pressed on everything from Timothée Chalamet’s sparse mustache to “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s viral holding space interview. Glaser’s overarching topics and several laugh-out-loud moments enabled her to reset the Globes to its former delightful glory.
Something new and fun this year was the addition of on-screen facts and tidbits about winners and presenters, which were displayed as they walked to the stage. The graphic displays were a way to keep viewers at home engaged and eliminate the dead space, which can make award shows feel painfully endless. They were also weirdly informative: Audiences learned Ariana DeBose once competed on “So You Think You Can Dance,” Colman Domingo used to perform on stilts in the circus and Demi Moore has a massive vintage doll collection.
With plenty of tequila (according to Kieran Culkin), a cringe-worthy moment between Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson, Nobu sushi and a more immersive and aesthetically pleasing production experience, including angled cameras and a Google Maps-type overview of the ballroom, showcasing where each nominee is seated, the Golden Globes has found a way forward. Glaser playfully poked fun using a Pope’s miter as a prop, a not-so-awful parody of the “Wicked’ song “Popular” and kept a leaderboard to display the score of who winners were thanking in their speeches. Though Ariana Grande didn’t quite get Glaser’s weed crack at Harrison Ford, and the banter between Seth Rogen and Catherine O’Hara went on much longer than it should have, the proceedings never felt sludgy or, worse, off-putting.
There weren’t a lot of surprises this year (though we did find some): Jeremy Allen White didn’t even bother showing up to collect yet another award for his role in “The Bear.” But most of those who won seemed to be genuinely thrilled. During first-time winner Demi Moore moving speech after she was awarded actress in a musical or comedy for “The Substance,” she said, “I’ve been doing this a long time, like over 45 years, and this is the first time I’ve ever won anything as an actor.” It was one of the moments of the night.
As with the Emmys this past September, “Shōgun” was deservedly the standout TV show, winning four awards. Tadanobu Asano and Anna Sawai received awards for their performances along with Hiroyuki Sanada, and the FX show also won drama series. On the film side of things, perhaps the night’s biggest shocker was Fernanda Torres’ well-deserved win for actress in a drama for “I’m Still Here.” “The Brutalist” is now officially the Oscars’ frontrunner.
Overall, the show moved swiftly, with blessedly short and sweet speeches, and only a few break-ins from Glaser. The Golden Globes were exactly as they should be: a celebratory, upbeat party. With a run time of just over three hours, it was, quite frankly, all we could ask for.
Variety parent company PMC owns Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Prods. in a joint venture with Eldridge.
