Golden Globes: Hosting, Identity Crisis, and Evolving Entertainment Value - Episode Hero Image

Golden Globes: Hosting, Identity Crisis, and Evolving Entertainment Value

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TL;DR

  • Nikki Glaser's fearless hosting style, honed through extensive stand-up testing, provided the Golden Globes with the necessary edge to balance celebration and satire, unlike Jo Koy's less prepared approach.
  • The Golden Globes' shift towards international films and a more responsible voting body has diminished its predictive power for the Oscars, making its primary value now entertainment rather than an awards barometer.
  • Reality TV stars' deductive skills, demonstrated on The Traitors, rival those of gamers, revealing a transferable intelligence across different entertainment formats that producers can leverage for compelling narratives.
  • The Golden Globes' "party" atmosphere, characterized by a mix of TV and film personalities, creates a unique environment where established stars and emerging talents can network and gain visibility.
  • The Golden Globes' podcast category, while aiming for star power, may overlook authentic podcasting voices, suggesting a future trend towards incorporating reality TV categories to capture celebrity interest.
  • The Golden Globes' historical tendency to be "dependably racist" has evolved into an unclear purpose, now highlighting international films but lacking a clear identity or consistent value proposition.

Deep Dive

The 83rd Golden Globes ceremony provided a platform for both celebration and critique, highlighting the evolving landscape of entertainment and the role of media. Host Nikki Glaser's fearless, self-aware humor, particularly her pointed jokes about figures like Leonardo DiCaprio and the Epstein scandal, resonated as a much-needed injection of raw energy into the often-stiff award show format. This approach, contrasted with past hosts' perceived anxieties, signaled a shift towards a more authentic, less performative style of hosting that acknowledges the ceremony's inherent absurdity while still engaging with its stars.

The discussions surrounding The Traitors reveal a strategic evolution in reality television production, where the early release of multiple episodes is recognized as crucial for viewer engagement. The show's success hinges on its ability to blend diverse reality TV skill sets, demonstrating that deductive reasoning and subtle strategy are not confined to specific genres. The introduction of a "secret traitor" element, while potentially placing significant narrative pressure on an inexperienced participant, offers a compelling twist that elevates the game's entertainment value. This narrative innovation, combined with the strategic alliances and betrayals characteristic of reality television, underscores the genre's capacity for sophisticated storytelling and character development.

The Golden Globes' perceived shift from a reliably "hoary" and bribe-influenced event to a more responsible, internationally-minded body has created an identity crisis. While this move aims for greater legitimacy, it risks alienating audiences who previously found value in the Globes' unique blend of celebrity indulgence and genuine, albeit flawed, industry recognition. The ceremony's current utility lies in its ability to foster intimate moments and highlight emerging talent, as seen in the interactions between nominees and established figures, and its capacity to generate conversation around films that might otherwise be overlooked.

The conversation also delved into the complexities of career longevity and award recognition, particularly for Black actors. The historical scarcity of lead actor Oscar wins for Black men, contrasted with the more frequent wins in supporting categories or for performances in roles that lean into archetypes of struggle or villainy, highlights systemic biases. The discussion around Michael B. Jordan's lack of an Oscar nomination, despite his consistent critical and commercial success, points to a perceived need for actors to conform to specific, often arduous, on-screen transformations to gain industry accolades. This suggests that while talent and box-office draw are recognized, they may not always translate into the industry's highest honors without a perceived sacrifice or dramatic character shift.

Finally, the discussion on Ava Victor's directorial debut, Sorry Baby, emphasizes the power of personal experience and meticulous craft in filmmaking. Victor's journey from online creator to award-nominated director, supported by figures like Barry Jenkins, illustrates the evolving pathways into the film industry. The film's success in navigating complex tonal shifts, moving from cozy to chilling, is attributed to rigorous editing and a deep understanding of emotional calibration, demonstrating that directorial vision is a collaborative process. The emphasis on intentionality in filmmaking, from script to final cut, underscores the importance of a clear artistic voice in creating resonant and impactful cinema.

Action Items

  • Audit award show hosting: Analyze 3 recent award ceremonies for monologue effectiveness and presenter delivery, identifying 5 common pitfalls to avoid.
  • Create runbook template: Define 4 essential sections for award show hosting preparation (e.g., joke testing, audience analysis, pronunciation guide) to ensure consistent quality.
  • Measure host impact: Track audience engagement metrics (e.g., social media sentiment, viewership spikes) for 2-3 award shows to correlate host performance with reception.
  • Develop contingency plan: Outline 3 alternative strategies for handling unexpected audience reactions or technical difficulties during a live award show broadcast.

Related Episodes

Key Quotes

"The Golden Globes are a fun time. Everyone gets to have fun and audition for the Academy Awards. It was when Emma Thompson gave her acceptance speech for Best Screenplay as a letter from Jane Austen. It's the best comedy bit that's ever been pulled off as an acceptance speech."

Guy Branum highlights the unique nature of the Golden Globes as a more relaxed and entertaining awards ceremony, contrasting it with the more serious tone of the Oscars. He uses the memorable Emma Thompson acceptance speech as an example of the comedic and creative moments that define the Globes.

"My fun experience, honestly, when you're on the carpet, E! has two positions. One is fun, and two is not fun. I was on the fun one. Because this girl, Zuri Hall, who I work with, she is at the first position, which is right at the door. So everyone's kind of nervous. By the time they come down the carpet, they see the bar, they see five other people. They've warmed up with Access Hollywood. They're like, 'Okay, him. Let's go to the black gay guy. He's going to be fun.'"

Justin Sylvester explains his strategy for navigating the red carpet, differentiating between the more high-pressure "not fun" positions and the more relaxed "fun" positions. He credits his colleague Zuri Hall for handling the initial, more nervous arrivals, allowing him to engage with celebrities who have already warmed up and are more receptive to a lighthearted interaction.

"The great thing about The Traitors is getting to watch these very different reality skill sets and realizing that the people who are on the fighting shows and the sex shows have deductive skills that are equal to that of the gamers and subtleties that the gamers could never understand."

Louis Virtel praises The Traitors for its compelling entertainment value, even while acknowledging it might not be a perfect game. He points out that the show effectively showcases the unexpected deductive reasoning skills of contestants from various reality TV backgrounds, demonstrating that strategic thinking isn't limited to traditional "gamers."

"She's like, 'No, motherfucker, I'm going to look Leo in his eye and say this goddamn joke all the way through.' "

Guy Branum praises Nikki Glaser's fearless approach to hosting the Golden Globes, contrasting her delivery with that of other comedians who may have faltered. He emphasizes her willingness to directly confront and deliver jokes, even to prominent figures like Leonardo DiCaprio, highlighting her bold stage presence.

"But I kind of realized at some point in my career a long time ago that like that call is never coming for me. Like, I'm, I'm not someone who's going to, they're going to be like, 'You're like the next whatever.' I was about to say Wonder Woman, and I'm like, 'I really don't want to play Wonder Woman, but thank you for thinking of that, Ava, at 10:00 AM.' Um, but I, but I was just like, 'That's not going to happen. I have to be my own source of creativity and energy, and like, I'm the one who has to create the role I want to play, and I have to build the world I want to build because also things I'm reading aren't aligned. Like, I'm not finding myself in them.'"

Ava Victor explains her proactive approach to her career, realizing that she couldn't wait for opportunities to be handed to her. She emphasizes the importance of self-reliance in creativity, stating that she must actively create the roles and worlds she wants to inhabit because the available material does not align with her vision.

"My Keep It is to mispronouncing actresses' names at award shows. Okay, um, here's the thing. You think there's like no danger in not getting someone's name right? There is. I will remember this for the rest of my life. You should be afraid of a bordering on middle-aged gay man who remembers your mistakes."

Louis Virtel expresses his strong opinion on the importance of correctly pronouncing names at award shows, framing it as a matter of respect and memory. He humorously warns that mispronunciations will be remembered and held against the offender, highlighting the impact of such errors on the moment and the individuals involved.

Resources

External Resources

Books

  • "Sorry Baby" by Ava Victor - Mentioned as the film written and directed by Ava Victor, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

Articles & Papers

  • "The Accused" - Mentioned as an Oscar-winning picture.

People

  • Ava Victor - Writer, director, and star of "Sorry Baby," and a nominee in Ava Victor's category at the Golden Globes.
  • Emma Thompson - Mentioned for her acceptance speech at the 1994 Golden Globes for "Sense and Sensibility."
  • Jane Austen - Mentioned in relation to Emma Thompson's acceptance speech.
  • Tim Curry - Mentioned as a co-host of a 90s Golden Globe ceremony.
  • Faye Dunaway - Mentioned as a co-host of a 90s Golden Globe ceremony.
  • Zuri Hall - Mentioned as a colleague of Justin Sylvester on the red carpet.
  • Tiana Taylor - Mentioned for selling her garment on the red carpet and for her performance in "Sorry Baby."
  • Ron Funches - Mentioned as a participant in "The Traitors."
  • Rob R - Mentioned as a participant in "The Traitors."
  • Rob Janino - Mentioned as a participant in "The Traitors" who analyzes reality shows.
  • Michael Rapaport - Mentioned as a participant in "The Traitors."
  • Laura Dern - Mentioned as an example of someone who attends many events due to Oscar nominations.
  • Jodie Foster - Mentioned for her interviews and her Golden Globe acceptance speech.
  • Daniel Daario - Mentioned in relation to Jodie Foster's interview.
  • Timothée Chalamet - Mentioned for winning at the Golden Globes and for his role in "Wonka."
  • Leonardo DiCaprio - Mentioned for his dating habits and for advising Timothée Chalamet against superhero movies.
  • George Clooney - Mentioned for his comments about his marriage and for his role in "The Boys in the Boat."
  • Adele - Mentioned for her album releases and for her privacy.
  • Alan Carr - Mentioned for discussing his life on "The Graham Norton Show."
  • Julia Roberts - Mentioned as a hero of Ava Victor and for her role in "Pretty Woman."
  • Sofia Loren - Mentioned as a comparison for Julia Roberts' presence.
  • Jane Fonda - Mentioned as a comparison for Julia Roberts' presence.
  • Bobby Cannavale - Mentioned as Rose Byrne's husband and for his role in "The Retirement Plan."
  • Jesse Buckley - Mentioned for her role in "Fingernails" and for her Oscar potential.
  • Rose Byrne - Mentioned for her role in "The Retirement Plan" and for her Oscar potential.
  • Anya Taylor-Joy - Mentioned as someone the Oscars tend to favor.
  • Glenn Close - Mentioned for her Oscar nominations and for her role in "Damages."
  • Olivia Colman - Mentioned for winning an Oscar over Glenn Close.
  • Brenda from Scary Movie - Mentioned in relation to Regina Hall's potential.
  • Shirley MacLaine - Mentioned as an influence on Sally Field.
  • Sally Field - Mentioned for her performance in "Steel Magnolias."
  • Olympia Dukakis - Mentioned in relation to Sally Field.
  • Meryl Streep - Mentioned as an example of an actress who receives good roles.
  • Matthew McConaughey - Mentioned for his career choices and for winning an Oscar for "Dallas Buyers Club."
  • Alfre Woodard - Mentioned as an example of someone not given opportunities.
  • Sydney Sweeney - Mentioned for her role in "Anyone But You."
  • Cameron Diaz - Mentioned as a comparison for Sydney Sweeney.
  • Charlize Theron - Mentioned for her Oscar win for "Monster."
  • Halle Berry - Mentioned for her Oscar win for "Monster's Ball."
  • Billy Bob Thornton - Mentioned in relation to Halle Berry's Oscar win.
  • Michael B. Jordan - Mentioned for his work and Oscar potential.
  • Denzel Washington - Mentioned for his Oscar wins and for "Training Day" and "Man on Fire."
  • Sidney Poitier - Mentioned as a Black man who won Best Actor Oscar.
  • Will Smith - Mentioned for his Oscar win for "King Richard" and for "The Pursuit of Happyness."
  • Forest Whitaker - Mentioned as a Black man who won Best Actor Oscar.
  • Mahershala Ali - Mentioned for his two Oscar wins.
  • Blade - Mentioned in relation to Mahershala Ali.
  • Swan Song - Mentioned in relation to Mahershala Ali.
  • Moonlight - Mentioned as a film and its lead actor.
  • Paul Thomas Anderson - Mentioned as a director with a strong filmography.
  • Amy Mann - Mentioned for her songs used in a Paul Thomas Anderson film.
  • Chloe Zhao - Mentioned for winning Best Director.
  • Regina Hall - Mentioned for her potential and for her role in "Support the Girls."
  • Tiana Taylor - Mentioned for her role in "Sorry Baby" and for her red carpet look.
  • Emerald Fennell - Mentioned for her work on "Promising Young Woman."
  • Betty Davis - Mentioned as an example of someone who is funny and a little mean.
  • Shirley MacLaine - Mentioned as an influence on Sally Field.
  • Sally Field - Mentioned for her performance in "Steel Magnolias."
  • Olympia Dukakis - Mentioned in relation to Sally Field.
  • Cher - Mentioned for her work and for winning an Oscar.
  • Barbara Walters - Mentioned as a journalist.
  • Andy Cohen - Mentioned in relation to reality TV.
  • Julia Roberts - Mentioned as a hero of Ava Victor and for her role in "Pretty Woman."
  • Iola de Rey - Mentioned for sexual tension with Julia Roberts.
  • Andrew Garfield - Mentioned for sexual tension with Julia Roberts.
  • Naomi Ackie - Mentioned for her performance in "Sorry Baby."
  • Lucas Hedges - Mentioned for his role as Gavin in "Sorry Baby."
  • Gavin - Mentioned as a character played by Lucas Hedges.
  • Decker - Mentioned as a character in "Sorry Baby."
  • Agnes - Mentioned as the main character in "Sorry Baby."
  • Liddy - Mentioned as Naomi Ackie's character.
  • Shannon - Mentioned as the wife of Ava Victor's editor.
  • Mary Tyler Moore - Mentioned for her role in "Ordinary People."
  • Donald Sutherland - Mentioned for his role in "Ordinary People."
  • Gwyneth Paltrow - Mentioned for her red carpet looks and for "Goop."
  • Nicole Kidman - Mentioned as someone Gwyneth Paltrow is mistaken for.
  • Joan Rivers - Mentioned as a fearless comedian.
  • Amy Madigan - Mentioned for her red carpet hair.
  • Natasha Lyonne - Mentioned for her red carpet hair.
  • Jennifer Garner - Mentioned for mispronouncing Tiana Taylor's name.
  • Bruce Willis - Mentioned for mispronouncing Jacki Weaver's name.
  • Jacki Weaver - Mentioned as someone Bruce Willis mispronounced.
  • Harry - Mentioned as someone Bruce Willis mispronounced.
  • Dana Delany - Mentioned for mispronouncing J. Lo's name.
  • J. Lo - Mentioned as someone Dana Delany mispronounced.
  • Wágner Moura - Mentioned as someone Diane Lane helped pronounce.
  • Diane Lane - Mentioned for helping pronounce Wágner Moura's name.
  • Aaliyah - Mentioned for winning a VMA and for being mispronounced by Ricky Martin.
  • Ricky Martin - Mentioned for mispronouncing Aaliyah's name.
  • Aparna Nancherla - Mentioned as a guest on a talk show.
  • Aasif Mandvi - Mentioned as a guest on a talk show.
  • John Daly - Mentioned as a guest on a talk show.
  • Catherine Heigl - Mentioned for correcting her name pronunciation.
  • Amelia Perez - Mentioned in relation to Catherine Heigl's storyline.
  • Shonda Rhimes - Mentioned in relation to crossing her.
  • Jamie Lee Curtis - Mentioned for her role in a yogurt commercial and for winning an Oscar.
  • Cher - Mentioned for her work and for winning an Oscar.
  • Hillary Swank - Mentioned for wearing a backless dress.
  • Rose McGowan - Mentioned for her red carpet look with Marilyn Manson.
  • Marilyn Manson - Mentioned in relation to Rose McGowan.
  • Sabrina Carpenter - Mentioned for her fashion choices.
  • Diana Ross - Mentioned for her VMA moment.
  • Little Kim - Mentioned for her VMA moment.
  • Nicky Minaj - Mentioned for her VMA moment.
  • Madonna - Mentioned for her VMA tribute and for an interview.
  • Courtney Love - Mentioned for her VMA moment with Madonna.
  • Marilyn Manson - Mentioned in relation to Courtney Love.
  • Stuart Townsend - Mentioned for his role in a movie with Courtney Love.
  • Charlize Theron - Mentioned for her role in a movie with Courtney Love.
  • Barbara - Mentioned in relation to Barbara book.
  • Jennifer Lopez - Mentioned for her career and red carpet looks.
  • Rupaul - Mentioned in relation to drag and camp.
  • Justin Timberlake - Mentioned as a guest.
  • Blake Lincoln Thornton - Mentioned as a podcast host.
  • Guy Branum - Mentioned for his social media and Jeopardy win.
  • Joan Rivers - Mentioned as a fearless comedian.
  • Ava DuVernay - Mentioned as a hero of Julia Roberts.
  • Celine Song - Mentioned for her conversation with Ava Victor.
  • Kelly Reichardt - Mentioned as an influence on Ava Victor's film.
  • Charlotte Rampling - Mentioned for her role in "45 Years."
  • Tom Courtenay - Mentioned for his role in "45 Years."
  • Stephanie Zacharek - Mentioned for a review of "45 Years."
  • Emily Watson - Mentioned for her role in "Breaking the Waves."
  • The lead guy in "Burning" - Mentioned as fabulous.
  • The Handmaid's Tale - Mentioned as a show.
  • No Other Choice - Mentioned

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