After a 12 months of precise normalcy (one with out strikes or a pandemic), Hollywood is again to its commonly scheduled programming, which features a enjoyable and frenzied Golden Globes. The pleasurable however unserious cousin of the awards exhibits has lastly discovered its stride, post-Hollywood International Press Affiliation scandals. Following an absolute dud of a ceremony final January, the Golden Globes righted its wrongs by providing nominees and viewers one thing each wholly completely different and superbly acquainted.

Comic Nikki Glaser, the primary solo feminine host within the present’s historical past, dived proper in with a powerful and quippy opening monologue. The ex-“FBoy Island” host coated a variety of matters, together with the 2024 Presidential election outcomes and the #MeToo motion, and was vibrant and zingy from the second she opened her mouth. Glaser shortly pressed on every thing from Timothée Chalamet’s sparse mustache to “Depraved” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s viral holding area interview. Glaser’s overarching matters and a number of other laugh-out-loud moments enabled her to reset the Globes to its former pleasant glory.

One thing new and enjoyable this 12 months was the addition of on-screen details and tidbits about winners and presenters, which had been displayed as they walked to the stage. The graphic shows had been a approach to hold viewers at residence engaged and eradicate the lifeless area, which may make award exhibits really feel painfully limitless. They had been additionally weirdly informative: Audiences realized Ariana DeBose as soon as competed on “So You Suppose You Can Dance,” Colman Domingo used to carry out on stilts within the circus and Demi Moore has an enormous classic doll assortment. 

With loads of tequila (in line with Kieran Culkin), a cringe-worthy second between Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson, Nobu sushi and a extra immersive and aesthetically pleasing manufacturing expertise, together with angled cameras and a Google Maps-type overview of the ballroom, showcasing the place every nominee is seated, the Golden Globes has discovered a means ahead. Glaser playfully poked enjoyable utilizing a Pope’s miter as a prop, a not-so-awful parody of the “Depraved’ music “Common” and saved a leaderboard to show the rating of who winners had been thanking of their speeches. Although Ariana Grande didn’t fairly get Glaser’s weed crack at Harrison Ford, and the banter between Seth Rogen and Catherine O’Hara went on for much longer than it ought to have, the proceedings by no means felt sludgy or, worse, off-putting. 

There weren’t a whole lot of surprises this 12 months (although we did discover some): Jeremy Allen White didn’t even hassle displaying as much as accumulate yet one more award for his function in “The Bear.” However most of those that received appeared to be genuinely thrilled. Throughout first-time winner Demi Moore shifting speech after she was awarded actress in a musical or comedy for “The Substance,” she mentioned, “I’ve been doing this a very long time, like over 45 years, and that is the primary time I’ve ever received something as an actor.” It was one of many moments of the night time.

As with the Emmys this previous September, “Shōgun” was deservedly the standout TV present, profitable 4 awards. Tadanobu Asano and Anna Sawai obtained awards for his or her performances together with Hiroyuki Sanada, and the FX present additionally received drama sequence. On the movie facet of issues, maybe the night time’s largest shocker was Fernanda Torres’ well-deserved win for actress in a drama for “I’m Nonetheless Right here.” “The Brutalist” is now formally the Oscars’ frontrunner.

General, the present moved swiftly, with blessedly brief and candy speeches, and just a few break-ins from Glaser. The Golden Globes had been precisely as they need to be: a celebratory, upbeat celebration. With a run time of simply over three hours, it was, fairly frankly, all we may ask for.

Selection mother or father firm PMC owns Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Prods. in a three way partnership with Eldridge.