Review | The 78th Golden Globes was an absolute mess

The 78th Golden Globes, hosted Feb. 28, tackled countless Zoom difficulties, Hollywood Foreign Press Association controversies and an unforgettable acceptance speech from Jason Sudeikis. Photo illustration by MEGAN FORRESTER, Assistant Features Editor

Glitchy Zoom screens, Parisian controversies and Jason Sudeikis wearing a tie-dye hoodie? Sounds like an ideal way to spend a Sunday night.

 Audiences witnessed a wild spectacle of highs and lows when they tuned into the 78th Golden Globes Feb. 28. Albeit altered by COVID-19, the program contained its same level of awkward jokes, long acceptance speeches and glamorous fashion. Yet despite its many amusing moments and a great performance by hosts Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, the program was shrouded by a glaring flaw — recent allegations against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). 

 A few days before the Globes premiered, a Los Angeles Times story revealed that there are no Black members on the HFPA — meaning not a single Black person voted on awards for this year’s show. To their credit, hosts Fey and Poehler took a stab at the underrepresentation by criticizing the HFPA, with Poehler noting “a lot of flashy garbage got nominated.” 

 “There are no Black members of the HFPA,” Fey said Feb. 28. “I realize you didn’t get the memo because your workplace is the back of a French McDonald’s, but you’ve got to change that.”

 However, there were no other official statements of regret or acknowledgment of the necessity to diversify the association in the future during the event. 

 The Los Angeles Times also discovered that the Netflix show “Emily in Paris” received two nominations simply for treating members of the HFPA to a luxurious junket while the show was being filmed in Paris. The 30 members that were flown out by Paramount stayed in a five-star Peninsula Hotel, which cost roughly $1,400 a night, living an exquisite Parisian fantasy while touring the set of the show. Most critics — and anyone with half a brain — said the show’s nominations should have gone to “I May Destroy You.” Even the writer of “Emily in Paris,'' Deborah Copaken, agreed with those statements in an opinion piece published by The Guardian.

“Now, am I excited that Emily in Paris was nominated? Yes, of course,” Copaken wrote. “I’ve never been remotely close to seeing a Golden Globe statue up close, let alone being nominated for one. But that excitement is now unfortunately tempered by my rage over Coel’s snub. That ‘I May Destroy You’ did not get one Golden Globe nod is not only wrong, it’s what is wrong with everything.”

That snub hung over the event itself like a dark cloud. Yet the night itself wasn’t great, either, facing constantly pixelated Zoom glitches. Fey and Poehler hosted the program on opposite ends of the country, which led to awkwardly timed jokes and delayed punchlines. While they landed a few here and there, the night proved again that internet connections are not invincible, even with celebrities. When accepting his speech for “Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture Drama” for his work in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” Daniel Kaluuya’s audio connection collapsed and the audience was left to watch him mouth his thanks. 

 The overall dysfunctional tone of the night was only emphasized when Jason Sudeikis accepted an award for “Best Television Actor - Musical/Comedy Series” for his work in the show “Ted Lasso.” Sudeikis, with bloodshot eyes and sporting a rainbow tie-dye hoodie, rambled his way along in an incoherent speech. Twitter users made countless memes about Sudeikis’ casual ensemble, joking about how virtual platforms make almost everything more relaxed. Yes, there were others like Kaley Cuoco and Angela Bassett who dressed to the nines in glitz and sparkles, but the casual theme persisted with many, like Bill Murray and Jeff Daniels. 

 All was not lost, as there were many heartwarming and inspiring moments. Taylor Simone Ledward’s heartbreaking acceptance speech for her late husband Chadwick Boseman’s performance in the film “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom'' was goosebumps-worthy, even through Zoom barriers. Chloe Zhao, director of “Nomadland,” became the first Asian woman director and the second woman director to take home a Golden Globe. Finally, smiles filled the television screen when icon Jane Fonda received the “Cecil B. Demille” award for her passion in the film industry and her dedication as an activist.

 The Golden Globes may have looked different this year and may not have checked all the right boxes. But for many, including myself, it is a mark of comfort in this time of unknown. Sure, bow ties and golden statues won't solve this worldwide pandemic, but gabbing about celebrities and movies provided an escape from reality and a sense of normalcy. Despite some much-needed improvement in areas of diversity hanging over its head and Sudekis’ indifference to formalwear, the program — and all its chaos — made it feel for a night like everything was strangely normal.