Golden Globes 2023: How the Show Addressed the Controversy

The Golden Globes 2023 wasted no time in addressing the series of controversies that led to the show’s removal from NBC last year and a complete overhaul of the voting body that determines the awards. Walking onstage to begin his opening monologue, host Jerrod Carmichael introduced himself thusly: “I’ll tell you why I’m here. I’m here because I’m Black.”

It was in February of 2021 that a Los Angeles Times report revealed that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which presents the Golden Globes, had zero Black members. Or, as Carmichael put it, “They didn’t have a single Black member until George Floyd died. So do with that information what you will.” Calling himself “the Black face of an embattled white organization,” Carmichael devoted much of his monologue to his decision to host at all, but ended on a warmer note, acknowledging the honor of being in a room with the night’s nominees. Then again, he also seemed aware of his power: “They haven’t had a Black host in 79 years, they’re going to fire the first one? I’m unfireable.”

By acknowledging the controversy head-on at the very beginning, Carmichael seemingly cleared the path for the winners to move straight to their heartfelt thank-yous. Even when thanking the Hollywood Foreign Press Association directly, none of the winners acknowledged the upheaval within the group from onstage. In the press room, best-supporting-actress winner Angela Bassett was asked if she hesitated to attend the awards, and said no: “I wasn’t about to stay home. The Hollywood Foreign Press has made strides to do what they know needs to be done.”

It was up to Carmichael to bring up the organization’s challenging past midway through the show, appearing onstage after a commercial break clutching three Golden Globes he claimed were the ones Tom Cruise returned. And in his acceptance speech for the Carol Burnett Award, Ryan Murphy obliquely acknowledged last year’s untelevised ceremony when paying tribute to Pose star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. But, as Murphy said, “The show did go on.”