Golden Globes goes remote
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Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Hollywood Foreign Press Association
The Golden Globes kicked off the 2021 awards season with a few awkward moments, including a buggy telecast, acceptance speeches made in pajamas and an awkward acknowledgment from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association about the group's lack of diversity.
Why it matters: Despite a few light and heartfelt moments, the telecast was a grim reminder of how much the pandemic has upended American lives and the entertainment industry over the past year.
In television:
- The biggest winner of the night was Netflix. Its hit drama series "The Crown" took home four awards — including "Best Drama." The platform's chess mini-drama series "The Queen's Gambit" took home two prizes.
- AppleTV's "Ted Lasso" picked up a prize. Star Jason Sudeikis was awarded "Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series for a Musical or Comedy."
- “Schitt’s Creek” added to its Emmys success with two awards, including "Best Television Series for a Musical or Comedy."
In film:
- Searchlight's "Nomadland" broke new ground, as its director Chloé Zhao became the second woman in the Globes' 78-year history to win "Best Director." The movie also won "Best Drama Film."
- Amazon Studio's “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” starring Sacha Baron Cohen, also picked up two awards, including "Best Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy."
- Disney's "Soul," which debuted on Disney's streaming service Disney+ last year, picked up two wins, including "Best Animated Motion Picture."
- Chadwick Boseman, the Black Panther star who died six months ago from cancer, won a Golden Globe for "Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama" for his final movie, “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." His widow accepted the award on his behalf.
Be smart: Streaming services dominated the night, a reflection of how resilient the technology industry has been throughout the pandemic.
The big picture: The pandemic upended the typically-sexy Hollywood affair. While the virtual broadcast gave a glimpse into the homes of some of Hollywood's elite, it didn't come without a few interesting moments.
- The show hosts — comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poehler — appeared live from two different cities. From the start, the two joked about the challenges of hosting a bi-coastal event remotely.
- Hundreds of Hollywood A-listers were replaced by a small group of frontline workers attending the event in person.
- Nominees and winners Zoomed in from their homes, as the show skipped the typical red carpet affairs and glamour.
- While some stars appeared in black tie, others kept it casual from home. Jodie Foster accepted the award for "Best Supporting Actress" for her role in "The Mauritanian" while wearing pajamas on her couch. Jason Sudeikis accepted his prize wearing a tie-die sweatshirt at home.
The big picture: The show occurred just days after the Lost Angeles Times published a damning profile of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which found that the group does not have any Black members, and may not apply the most unbiased criteria when selecting nominees.
- "We recognize we have our own work to do," the group's vice president Helen Hoehne said during the telecast. "Black representation is vital. We must have Black journalists in our organization.”
Go deeper: Virtual Emmys address chaotic year
