The Golden Globes, a highly anticipated annual event celebrating the best in film and television, returned to television on Sunday night but was met with a less-than-enthusiastic response from viewers and celebrities alike. The ceremony, which unfolded over three hours on CBS, featured a traditional format that nonetheless appeared to leave many attendees exhausted and disengaged.
The evening commenced with comedian Nikki Glaser at the helm as host, delivering a sharp and provocative opening monologue. Glaser's humor targeted various industry figures, including a controversial joke referencing Jeffrey Epstein that elicited a strong reaction from the audience. She also took a playful jab at Leonardo DiCaprio's dating history, later apologizing for the remark, indicating its low-cost nature.
As the awards began, with television categories leading the presentations, familiar faces such as Jean Smart from “Hacks,” Noah Wyle for “The Pitt,” and Owen Cooper for “Adolescence” received accolades. The series “The Studio” and “The Pitt” achieved wins in their respective categories, continuing a trend of recognition from the current awards season.
Musical interludes, featuring tracks like “Shake Your Groove Thing,” “APT,” and Outkast’s “So Fresh, So Clean,” accompanied presenters on stage, marking a contemporary touch to the event's traditional atmosphere. In film categories, “One Battle After Another” emerged as a standout, winning awards for supporting actress, screenplay, and best motion picture in the musical or comedy category, as well as a director award for Paul Thomas Anderson.
Despite these high points, the event drew significant criticism from viewers and commentators on social media. Complaints ranged from the perceived low energy of the ceremony to the choice of music, which did not include scores from the nominated films. Additionally, criticism was leveled at the production elements, such as the lack of film clips, the presence of gambling sponsorship, and the distracting commentary between awards.
The Golden Globes represent just one part of a long awards season that includes the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the British Academy Film Awards, and the Academy Awards. However, the extended nature of this awards circuit and the repetitive recognition of winners have drawn attention and raised questions about its overall impact and relevance.
The ceremony's reception on social media was notably harsh, with users expressing their disappointment and frustration. Some comments focused on the "boring" nature of this year's event and the failures in production, while others highlighted a broader sentiment of disconnect with the celebrity culture and the current state of the film industry in Los Angeles.
In conclusion, while the Golden Globes sought to maintain its position as a highlight of the entertainment industry's calendar, the 2025 broadcast's reception suggests that changes may be necessary to reinvigorate the ceremony and better resonate with audiences and industry professionals alike.
