Now Reading
6 Things We Learned From the Golden Globes

6 Things We Learned From the Golden Globes

The Golden Globes is one of Hollywood’s only watchable award shows. Though the trophy itself still carries a certain level of prestige, the ceremony doesn’t take itself all that seriously. Sure, it’s still a black-tie affair, but unlike the Oscars, celebrities mill around during commercials, joke on stage and give the whole ceremony a looser, more laid-back vibe—this year Questlove even DJ’d live onstage instead of having an orchestra provide the soundtrack.

Last night’s show had its share of surprises, memorable moments and clips that will live on in internet glory.

Here are six things we learned from last night’s Golden Globes:

Jimmy Fallon really needs his Teleprompter.

Jimmy Fallon’s first moments onstage as the ceremony’s host started on an awkward note. When he walked out, the Tonight Show host looked noticeably panicked while announcing that his teleprompter had broken. Though he attempted to fill the 30 seconds while another monitor was brought out with some nervous improv, it wasn’t until the problem was fixed and Jimmy had the scripted material that he got any real laughs.

It was awkward.

Though, he should get some bonus points for making fun of Mariah Carey’s New Year’s Eve meltdown off-the-cuff later in the night, explaining, “I just got off the phone with Mariah Carey and she thinks that Dick Clark Productions sabotaged my monologue.”

Barb lives!

The show opened with a long, highly produced musical style tribute to the year’s most popular TV shows and movies, and not only did the kids from Stranger Things totally steal the scene, they also gave everyone’s favorite character some redemption.

After rapping about her cast-mates, Eleven announced that “Barb is still alive,” with the camera cutting away to the old-school Hollywood-stye synchronized swimming tribute that Barb deserves.

Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig like to make things weird.

Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig were tasked with introducing the category of Best Animated Film, and in a moment where most presenters would have read 15 seconds of lame patter and tossed to clips of the nominees, the duo took things in a hilariously dark direction. Carell explained why “Fantasia Day” was one of the most traumatic moments of his childhood, and Wiig discussed how seeing the film Bambi led her to not speak for two years.

It was weird. But in a night filled with traditional, safe, punchlines from Fallon, the duo’s brief detour into absurdist black comedy was probably the funniest moment of the whole show.

Small movies still have a shot in modern Hollywood.

The Golden Globe’s Best Motion Picture – Drama category is the show’s most important award, with the winner often becoming a Best Picture favorite in the lead up to the Oscars. But in a year that’s seen a slew of big budget releases and star-powered projects from some of Hollywood’s most notable filmmakers (Martin Scorsese, Kenneth Lonergan, Mel Gibson) it was a $5 million film with no major superstar names that brought home the night’s biggest award.

Moonlight, which was adapted from the play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue proves that with a compelling story, a visionary filmmaker (in this case, director Barry Jenkins) and talented cast, it’s still possible to make movies that get recognition in modern Hollywood.

Damien Chazelle is one of Hollywood’s next great filmmakers.

Back in 2014, Whiplash became a surprise critical hit, garnering award-season nominations and attention for its young writer and director Damien Chazelle. This year, La La Land proved that was no fluke. Last night, the 31-year-old won the prize for Best Screenplay and Best Director, with his film winning Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and its stars, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, winning Best Actor and Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.

Again, Chazelle is only 31 years old.

With interesting project choices (along with directing Whiplash and La La Land, he also wrote thriller 10 Cloverfield Lane) and his skill as a writer and director, Chazelle is showing why he may be one of Hollywood’s next great filmmakers.

Donald Glover has arrived.

Donald Glover is a talented stand-up comedian, rapper (as Childish Gambino), actor (Community) and writer (30 Rock), but it’s his latest show, Atlanta—which he created and stars in—that finally showcases the full scope of his artistic vision.

The show not only won the award for Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy, but Glover also won Best Performance by an Actor in a TV series – Musical or Comedy (and gave an awesome shoutout to rap group Migos).

Atlanta isn’t just another prestige comedy—its exploration of the Atlanta hip-hop scene, race and millennial career ambition, offers one of Hollywood’s most interesting artists an opportunity to display his wide range of talents.

View Comments (3)

Leave a Reply

© 2023 RELEVANT Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Scroll To Top

You’re reading our ad-supported experience

For our premium ad-free experience, including exclusive podcasts, issues and more, subscribe to

Plans start as low as $2.50/mo