Can The Golden Globes Shine Again?
Sunday night’s 78th annual Golden Globes à la Zoom meeting had a few memorable takeaways, but the most glaringly obvious theme was the immense imperfection of a once fairytale like industry. There was a much needed call to change from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The Golden Globes know they have to evolve, but we wonder will they actually commit to this change in the coming years? This year’s award ceremony didn’t have the usual glamorous smoke screens to hide behind. The stars were literally just like us. Sitting at home on their couches. Some in tie dye hooded sweatshirts, others in custom made couture gowns, but no matter what dress code you chose for the night, everyone shared in the same unifying feeling….that no one wanted to hop on this Zoom call.
Like most events during these past 12 months leaving us under a spell of “weirdom,” the Golden Globes were no exception. They were strange. It felt strange. And no one was hiding this fact. There was also the lingering sense that no one really wanted to participate in this faux style award show. Even the iconic Beverly Hilton Hotel looked like a ghostly prop-background set. What once was the hottest ticket in town, leaving many journalists and party crashers wondering how to get up close and personal with celebrities, lost its glitz and glam this year. The most important achievement though, was the effort to deliver an award show abiding by CDC guidelines and safety protocols, which was globally appreciated and recognized.
Despite the hiccups of static wifi connections along the way, no one can deny this year’s virtual event was the safest and most practical way to conduct the award ceremony, if they were going to have a show at all. But it certainly doesn’t fill the void, or mimic the spectacle of the ceremony from years past. Have we finally reached the moment where the Golden Globes have lost their luster? Since the #Metoo movement first gained its national momentum, followed by the TimesUp organization, it seems that Hollywood has faced year after year backlash and scandal. Award ceremonies as of late have adopted a new tone, a call to change, trying to use their platform as best they can to call for more diversity in areas of race and gender equality. This year, members of the HFPA took accountability and ownership for their lack of diversity. Hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler made their own jabs, masked in a comedy routine, during their opening bi-coastal dialogue which also condemned the HFPA for not having a diverse panel. We did see some change this year on the “web”carpet side, swapping a tired Ryan Seacrest for Karamo Brown to join Guiliana Rancic for E!’s live broadcast.
The Golden Globes have historically been the “fun” award show out of the long string of events that make up award season. It’s less serious than the Oscars, and welcomes both film and television big wigs, increasing the star power of attendees. This year’s feeling of suspense involved glitchy wifi signals, leaving us all with minute by minute wonderment if we would miss important moments due to poor connection. (We almost didn’t get to see Daniel Kaluuya’s acceptance speech, while a confused Laura Dern looked to the camera and audience unsure how to proceed.)
As noted by our Zoom moderators, Tina and Amy pointed out that the celebrities and nominees were not the ones enjoying the in person event. “Tonight our audience on both coasts is made up of smoking hot essential workers…so our celebrities can stay safely at home.” And stay home the celebrities did, swapping red carpet posing for at home ring light photoshoots. The fashion trend of this year’s award show, if we had to pick a trend, was high brow vs. low brow looks. Does anything encapsulate this more than Bill Murray in a Hawaiian (non designer) shirt, martini glass in hand as his accessory?
In the past, Amanda Seyfried wore fresh off the runway Givenchy gowns. This year she sat on her conference call, still stunning, in Oscar de la Renta while commenting on how great it is to share her nomination with her children present. And it was heartwarming seeing nominees side by side with their families and pets around the world. From the Sorkin family couch, to Nicole Kidman in Louis Vuitton sitting side by side with her husband and children. Jodie Foster and her wife sharing a kiss with their dog in between. Regina King celebrating her best director nomination in a black and silver Louis Vuitton sequence gown… with her dog sleeping in frame.
Sarah Paulson turned her arm injury into an envious fashion moment, matching a custom purple Prada cast to her sleek textured gown. But it’s safe to assume we have a new reigning best dressed Queen, Ana Taylor Joy, who won the Golden Globe in her category. She stole the virtual “web”carpet in a royal green Dior Haute Couture Gown, accessorized in over $1 million dollars of Tiffany diamonds. That brought us all back down to Earth quickly.
But the only unique appeal to this year’s Golden Globes was the human relatability, a poignant message given the global strife were all still facing.