The 2024 Golden Globe Awards are set to air this Sunday, January 8th on CBS, marking the ceremony’s return to television after being pulled off the air last year amidst controversy over ethical issues with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). The Globes are trying to make a comeback, but doubts linger over whether the ceremony can regain its former prestige.
Background: HFPA Scandals Lead to Ceremony Cancellation
The Golden Globes have long been known as one of the most glittering events on the Hollywood calendar. However, the HFPA, the tiny group of foreign journalists that hands out the awards, faced heavy scrutiny starting in early 2021 over ethical issues like lack of diversity in its membership and questions over financial practices.
Major Hollywood studios and stars called for reform. In response, the HFPA diversified its membership and overhauled its bylaws, but the efforts were not enough to salvage last year’s telecast. Facing boycotts, NBC dropped the 2023 ceremony, leaving the Globes without a broadcaster for the first time in decades.
Attempting a Comeback: Changes to Voting Body and Broadcast
This year represents a major reset for the Globes. In November 2022, the HFPA sold the rights to the Globes ceremony to Eldridge Industries, which formed a new private company called HFPA Golden Globes LLC to run the event. A key change was replacing the HFPA with a new voting body called the Golden Globe Awards Voting Body comprised of 200 international voters:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| International Entertainment Journalists | Journalists recognized for international entertainment reporting from outside of the U.S. |
| LA Journalists Covering Diversity | LA-based journalists focusing on diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation and disability |
| Motion Picture & Television Industry Leaders | Influential entertainment industry figures |
| Golden Globe Ambassadors Alumni | Past honorary award presenters |
In September 2022, CBS signed a one-year deal to broadcast the 2023 ceremony, marking the Globes’ return to television.
Despite these sweeping changes, skepticism persists around whether the ceremony can overcome its damaged reputation and regain its former influence in Hollywood. But Eldridge CEO Todd Boehly remains bullish on the prospect of restoring the Globes to their past glory by delivering an entertaining awards show.
2024 Golden Globes Nominations: Surprises and Snubs
When nominations for the 2024 Golden Globes were announced in December, they contained some surprises that reflected the influence of the new voting body makeup. While there were the expected critically acclaimed titles like Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Fabelmans, nominations like Glass Onion and Abbott Elementary showed an openness to more populist entertainment.
However, some choices left observers scratching their heads, like the Best Picture nomination for Avatar: The Way of Water over acclaimed films like Women Talking and Top Gun: Maverick. There was also controversy over the inclusion of Rustin, which raised questions over whether the civil rights drama was classified as a television movie to secure a nomination.
On the television side, voters differentiated themselves by largely snubbing previous HFPA favorites like Ozark and This Is Us while favoring diverse shows like The Bear and Mo.
Host and Presenters: Comedic Host but Subdued Tone Expected
In a break from the norm, the 2024 ceremony will be hosted solo by comedian Jo Koy, marking the show’s first host since Ricky Gervais’ controversial appearance in 2020. But those hoping Koy will bring a roasting style similar to Gervais will likely be disappointed.
Producers are reportedly encouraging Koy to act mostly as an “emcee” who links segments rather than focusing too heavily on monologue humor. This may reflect a desire to avoid controversy as the Globes attempts to restore its reputation.
Presenters announced include decorated directors Steven Spielberg and Guillermo Del Toro alongside stars like Ana De Armas, Austin Butler and Angela Bassett. But whether top talent will widely embrace or continue shunning the ceremony remains a question mark heading into Sunday night.
What Happens After Sunday’s Ceremony
Regardless of how the telecast fares in ratings or response, the Globes face an uncertain future in terms of television and streaming deals beyond the current year CBS contract. Much rests on whether producers can deliver an entertaining show amidst efforts to improve diversity and ethics issues.
Some believe interest from media companies in Globes rights could drive up the price for deals beyond 2024. But others say ratings and talent participation on Sunday will need to demonstrate substantial improvement to justify costly investments going forward.
Boosters like Boehly think combining reforms with the Globes’ enduring glitz and star power can lead to renewed success. But whether Hollywood and audiences ultimately embrace the attempted comeback remains to be seen when the 80th Golden Globes air this weekend.
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