While I’m a fan of any award show, the Golden Globes is my favorite. I like that it includes both television and film which makes the event even more entertaining. This weekend, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted the 78th Golden Globes on NBC. I enjoyed watching the red carpet and show with one of my roommates in our common room. In keeping tradition, my mom sent me Twizzlers and popcorn too. As midterms and other assignments approach, I loved being able to relax and bond with a friend for a few hours. Here are my thoughts on this year’s Golden Globes!
1. Pre-Shows in a Pandemic
I tuned into both the E! Network and NBC’s pre-shows. While Giuliana Rancic and Karamo Brown were outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel, they conducted separate interviews with nominees and presenters via screen. Similarly, Jane Lynch and Susan Kelechi Watson interviewed actors for NBC. It was interesting hearing them ask each person where they were watching and who they were with. Unlike traditional circumstances, many actors were experiencing a time difference. For example, Gillian Anderson from “The Crown” was staying in a hotel room in Prague. Even though celebrities weren’t walking the red carpet like they normally do, most still dressed up for the occasion. I liked that Laverne Cox and Regina King stood during their interviews for viewers to see their whole looks. Personally, my best dressed goes to Amanda Seyfried and Kaley Cuoco, who both wore Oscar de la Renta.
2. Dynamic Duo: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler
Having watched them host previous Golden Globes, I was excited to see Tina and Amy. Interestingly, Tina was at the Rainbow Room in New York City whereas Amy was at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Hollywood. I found their opening monologue very funny as they roasted the Golden Globes and various aspects of the entertainment industry. I thought it was clever that there was a split-screen, so it seemed like Tina and Amy were in the same room. Considering they were in different locations, I was impressed with their comedic timing. I also liked the cameos their former SNL costars made in silly skits including Maya Rudolph, Kenan Thompson, and Kristen Wiig.
3. Recognizing Frontline Workers
Throughout the show, the Golden Globes highlighted the hard work and dedication of frontline workers. Instead of having celebrities in the audience, they had socially distanced seating for healthcare professionals and essential workers. In a later segment, actors asked nurses and doctors playful questions in a cute sketch comedy bit. During breaks, powerful commercials aired that demonstrated the sacrifices frontline workers have made since the coronavirus pandemic started and the importance of the vaccine.
4. History-Making Moments
The Golden Globes were particularly special for many female nominees and winners. For the first time, three women (Regina King, Chloe Zhao and Emerald Fennell) were nominated for Best Director. Chloe Zhao received the award for her film, “Nomadland,” and was the first Asian woman to be nominated in this category. Shira Haas, nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series in “Unorthodox,” was the first Israeli actress to be nominated for a Golden Globe. However, I’m glad that people addressed the lack of diversity within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. It was recently revealed that the organization does not have any black members, reaffirming the need for more representation and inclusivity in entertainment.
5. Perks of Being Home
I’m sure this year’s Golden Globes weren’t the same for everyone involved, but people seemed to find the positive side of the situation. For example, they could stay comfortable at home in casual clothes. Jason Sudeikis took advantage of this and wore a sweatshirt his sister made. Meanwhile, I loved seeing nominees and winners celebrate their achievements with their families. If the show was in person, they would not have been able to accept their awards with their children.
Now that the 2021 award season has begun, I’m already looking forward to the next show! I’ve marked my calendar for the Grammys on March 14. The Golden Globes also introduced me to series and films of interest. I’m hoping to start binge-watching “The Crown” and see “The United States v. Billie Holiday” over Easter break. If you didn’t get a chance to watch, you can find the full list of winners here.