Golden Globes 2024: Highlights from a Night of Humor and Heart

The 2024 Golden Globe Awards, held on March 8, officially launched Hollywood’s much-anticipated awards season with a lively ceremony that blended humor, cultural critique, and notable achievements. The evening was marked by a range of standout performances and speeches that set the tone for the upcoming Oscars race.

Memorable Moments and Satirical Humor

Host Nikki Glaser opened the show with a sharp monologue that humorously critiqued Hollywood, politics, and the media. She delivered biting jokes, including a playful remark about George Clooney fixing her Nespresso machine and a light-hearted jab at Leonardo DiCaprio regarding his dating history. Glaser’s satire did not shy away from addressing serious subjects, as she mockingly suggested that the US justice department, CBS News, and Warner Bros should be “put up for sale.”

The host also creatively awarded a fake editing prize to the justice department for its handling of the Epstein files, further engaging the audience with her political commentary. Glaser’s performance included a parody of Nicole Kidman‘s viral AMC advert and a humorous rendition of “Golden,” a hit song from K-Pop sensation Demon Hunter, which led to a playful interruption by actress Fran Drescher.

One of the most heartfelt moments of the evening came when recording artist-turned-actress Eliza Rubyjeana received her first Golden Globe for her role in One Battle After Another. During her acceptance speech, she addressed young girls watching at home, encouraging them to embrace their “softness” and affirming their right to “belong in every room.”

A New Era for Podcasts and Animation

The Golden Globes introduced a new category this year—Best Podcast. The inaugural award went to Amy Poehler for her show, Good Hang with Amy Poehler. In her acceptance speech, Poehler enthusiastically joked that NPR should “try harder” to avoid sounding like “a bunch of celebs phoning it in.” Backstage, she expressed hope that Snoop Dogg, who presented the award, actually listened to her show, mentioning Meryl Streep as her ideal audience member.

In the realm of animation, the night belonged to the hit film Golden, which won both Best Animated Film and Best Song. The creators expressed gratitude for the audience’s acceptance of their unique characters, who are “bold, strange, hungry, and unapologetically imperfect.” They also candidly acknowledged their uncertainty about replicating the film’s success in a planned sequel.

Breakout stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams presented an award with playful banter, reigniting the chemistry that made their erotic ice-hockey drama, Heated Rivalry, a fan favorite. The crowd erupted in laughter as Williams joked that even trainers and their families had watched the show.

Director Judd Apatow seized his presentation opportunity to voice his dissatisfaction with the Golden Globes’ genre categories, recalling his film Trainwreck‘s loss to The Martian in 2015.

The evening concluded with a comedic segment featuring Melissa McCarthy and Kathryn Hahn, who flipped gender stereotypes in Hollywood, earning laughter for their sharp delivery. By the end of the ceremony, the Golden Globes had once again ignited the awards season with a mix of controversy, celebration, and memorable moments that will surely be discussed leading up to Oscar night.