NEW YORK – With homeland nominations broadcast via remote video and hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on different sides of the country, a very socially aloof 78th Golden Globe Award trudged on amid the pandemic and storm of criticism.
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which came with a sovereign 42 nominations, won the top TV awards. As expected, “The Crown” won Best Drama Series along with acting wins for Josh O’Connor (Prince Charles) and Emma Corrin (Princess Diana). “Schitt’s Creek”, which was no longer named in the top category at the Globes last season, won the best comedy series for its final season. Catherine O’Hara also picked Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
They were among the evening’s many awards for streaming services which – given the low level of traditional studio competition – dominated the globes like never before. Apple TV + received its first major award when Jason Sudeikis won Best Actor in a Comedy Series for streamer Ted Lasso.
Fey took the stage in New York’s Rainbow Room while Poehler stayed in the Globes’ usual home at the Beverly Hilton. In their opening speeches, they managed their typically well-timed back and forth even though they were nearly 3,000 miles apart.
“I always knew my career would end with wandering rainbow space pretending to talk to Amy,” said Fey. “I just thought it would be later.”
They appeared in front of masked participants, but without stars. Instead, the sparse tables – where Hollywood kings are usually crammed together and boiled over during the show – were occupied by “smoking hot first responders and key workers,” as Fey said.
In a manufacturing nightmare that was made public during the pandemic, the night’s first winner silently accepted his award. Only after moderator Laura Dern had apologized for the technical difficulties, Daniel Kaluuya, who won best supporting actor for his performance as Black Panther leader Fred Hampton in “Judas and the Black Messiah”, gave his speech. When he finally got through, he put his finger in the camera and said, “You’re making me dirty!”
Improvising pandemics was only part of the damage control for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which puts the globes on. After the Los Angeles Times announced that there were no black members on the HFPA’s 87-member electoral body, the press association, which Ricky Gervais described as “very, very racist” in his opening monologue last year, came under increasing pressure itself and mirrored it better reflect the industry in which it rules.
That year, none of the most famous Black-directed films – “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, “One Night in Miami”, “Judas and the Black Messiah”, “Da 5 Bloods” – won the Best Picture Award Globes nominated. With the HFPA potentially fighting for their lives in Hollywood, the Globes were part of an apologies tour on Sunday. Fey and Poehler quickly got started on the subject.
“Look, a lot of flashy garbage was nominated, but that happens,” said Poehler. “That’s like her thing. But a number of black actors and projects led by Black have been overlooked. “
Within the first half hour of the NBC broadcast, members of the press association also appeared on stage to promise changes. “We realize we have our own work to do,” said Vice President Helen Hoehne. “We have to have black journalists in our organization.”
The show, which was moved two months from its usual spot in early January, promised little of the glamor that made the globes one of the foamy and dazzling events of the year. Due to the pandemic, there was no star parade on the red carpet outside the Beverly Hilton.
When attendees flocked down the red carpet on Sunday evening, many stars posed virtually instead. Regina King, shining in a dazzling dress, stood in front of her yawning dog. Carey Mulligan, nominated for Promising Young Woman, said from a London hotel room that she wore heels for the first time in more than a year.
The circumstances resulted in some anomalies in the award ceremony. Mark Ruffalo, who performed from afar, won Best Actor in a Limited Series for “I Know So Much Is True,” with his kids partying behind him and his wife Sunrise Coigney sitting next to them.
Lee Isaac Chung, writer and director of the delicate Korean-American family drama “Minari” (a film that the HFPA did not consider eligible for top honors because of its non-English dialogue), accepted the award for Best Foreign Language Film little daughter hugged him. “She’s the reason I made this film,” said Chung.
‘Minari’ is about a family. It’s a family trying to learn a language of their own. It goes deeper than any American or foreign language. It is a language of the heart. I try to learn it myself and pass it on, ”said Chung.
John Boyega, supporting actor winner for his appearance in Steve McQueen’s “Small Ax” anthology, lifted his leg to show he was wearing sweatpants under his sleeker white jacket. Bob Odenkirk, who appeared on five screens with other television actor nominees before a commercial break, took the moment to virtually encounter a legend. “Mr. Pacino, very nice to meet you … on the screen,” he said.
Some speeches were recorded. The previously recorded speeches by Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for the winning score “Soul” went without any problems, although presenter Tracy Morgan announced “Sal” as the winner for the first time.
Other awards included Pixar’s “Soul” for best animated film; Rosumund Pike picked best actress in a comedy or musical film for “I Care a Lot”; and Aaron Sorkin (“Trial of the Chicago 7”) for Best Screenplay. The film, a favorite for winning Best Drama Film at The Globes, was sold to Netflix by Paramount Pictures last summer due to the pandemic. “Netflix saved our lives,” said Sorkin.
As the show approached, backlash against the HFPA threatened to overwhelm the globes. However, the Globes stayed because of their popularity (the show is the third most popular award show after the Oscars and Grammys), their profitability (NBC paid $ 60 million for broadcast rights in 2018), and because they serve as vital marketing material for competing films and Oscar hopefuls. This may especially be the case this year when the pandemic has disrupted the normal rhythm of buzz in a virtual awards season without the usual frenzy.
The globes will take place on the original Academy Awards ceremony date, which is scheduled to take place on April 25th instead.
