Golden Globes 2023: Jerrod Carmichael roasts show on return to screens following racism boycott 

Golden Globes 2023 host Jerrod Carmichael roasted the show as the glittering awards returned to screens on Tuesday –  following a one year break from screens amid controversy over ethical lapses and a lack of diversity.

Carmichael, 35, didn’t shy away from the controversy in his opening monologue as he took aim  at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s previous membership – and revealed he only took the job for a $500,000 pay check.

The HFPA scandal erupted in 2021 when it emerged there were no black members among the 87-person association – with the 2021 awards show held virtually.

Carmichael opened his monologue with ‘I am your host Jerrod Carmichael and I’ll tell you why I’m here I’m here… because I’m black.

‘I’ll tell you what’s been going on this show, the awards, did not air last year because the Hollywood foreign press association, which I won’t say they were a racist organization.

‘But they didn’t have a single black member until George Floyd died so do with what information what you will I’ll tell you how I got here why am I here on the stage with you guys tonight well, I was at home.

‘And I got a phone call from my man Stephen Hill. Stephen Hill is a great producer and he said, “Jerrod, really I’m honored to be making this phone call he said I’m producing the 80th Golden Globes and it would be an honor if you would agree to join as the host.

‘I was like, “whoa, like one minute you’re making minute tea at home, the next you’re invited to be the black face of an embattled white organization”. Life really comes at you fast, you know so I said, “Stephen, I’m torn, I’ll be honest with you, I’m a little torn because, you know, one, it’s a great opportunity, thank you for the call but I’m only being asked to host this, I know, because I’m black.”

And Stephen said, let me stop you right there, Jerrod. He said you are being asked to host this show because you are talented, you’re being asked to host this show because you are charming he said you’re being asked to host this show because you are one of the greatest comedians of a generation but Stephen’s black, so what does he know?

Like, he’s only producing this show because — they’re not going to tell him why he’s here so I said, Stephen, this is a lot for me, let me call you so I did what I do when I have a moral, racial dilemma.

‘ I call the home girl Avery who, for the sake of this monologue, represents every black person in America. And I said to Avery, I said, Avery, they asked me to host the Golden Globes. And I said, you know, what should I do? And she said, oh, bookie, I’m so proud of you now remind me which awards show is that again?

‘And I told her what the show was, and I told her about how last year didn’t air because of the no-black people thing. And she was, like, well how much are they paying you? And I said, well, Avery, it’s not about the money honestly, it’s about the moral question of – and she said, Jerrod, enough all that, how much are they paying you? And I said $500,000.

‘And she said, boy, if you don’t put on a good suit and take some white people money… And I kind of forget that, like, where I’m from, like, we all live by a strict take-the-money mentality.

‘I bet black informants for the FBI in the ’60s, like, their families were still proud of them like they were like did you hear about Clarence’s new job they’re paying him $8 an hour just to snitch on Dr. King.

‘It’s a good government job and I called Stephen back, and “I said I’m happy to do this”. And I was really proud of that decision.

‘I was really proud of that decision, until I got an email from a publicist saying that Helen [Hoehne], the president of the HFPA, wanted to have a one-on-one sit down with me.

‘I said, “No thanks, I know when I hear a trap.” Then they came back like, “Well, they’re not really asking, they’re insisting that you take the meeting.” And I’m like, “Or what?! They’re gonna fire me?!” Then haven’t had a Black host for 79 years and they’re gonna fire first one? I’m unfire-able.”

‘And it came back again, a third time: “Helen really just wants to educate you on the changes that the organization has made in regards to diversity.@ And I’ll be totally honest with everyone here tonight: I don’t really need to hear it. I took this job assuming they hadn’t changed at all.

‘I heard they got six new black members, congrats for them, whatever, sure. I’m here, truly, because I look out into this room and I see a lot of talented people.

‘People that I admire. People that I would like to be like. People that I’m jealous of, and people that are actually really incredible artists. And regardless of whatever the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s past may be, this is an evening where we get to celebrate. And I think this industry deserves evenings like these. And I’m happy you all are here. And I hope you have some fun tonight.’

The 2023 awards marks a return to air for the embattled Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HPFA) since it overhauled its organization following a racism row in 2021. 

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler called out the association live during their 2021 opening monologue in February of that year.

‘The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is made up of around 90 international no black journalists who attend movie junkets each year in search of a better life.

‘We say around 90 because a couple of them might be ghosts,’ Fey said.

Stars threatened to boycott the awards and Tom Cruise, who had won three Globes in the past, vowed to return them all unless the association changed its ways.

In April, the association’s former president Phil Berk was fired for his resistance to BLM.

He sent an email to other members with a link to an article in which the organization was compared to cult murderer Charles Manson.

The article in Frontpagemag.com claimed BLM was trying to incite a ‘race war’.

Ke Huy Quan took home the first award of the night in the Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture category  at the awards.

The 51-year-old actor earned the honor for his role in the film Everything Everywhere All At Once at the event which highlights the best and brightest in the field of film and television and featured a star-studded red carpet.

Quan was obviously overcome with emotion as he began his speech by thanking the director of his first role in Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom back in 1984.

He said: ‘I was raised to never forget where I came from, and to always remember who gave me my first opportunity.

‘I am so happy to see Steven Spielberg here tonight Steven, thank you! When I started my career as a child actor in Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom, I felt so very lucky to have been chosen as I grew older, I started to wonder if that was it, if that was just luck.’

He beat out an impressive field including: Brendan Gleeson – The Banshees of Inisherinm Barry Keoghan – The Banshees of Inisherin, Brad Pitt – Babylon, and Eddie Redmayne – The Good Nurse.

Quan portrays Waymond Wang in Everything Everywhere All At Once, who is the husband of Michelle Yeoh’s leading character Evelyn Quan Wang whose benevolence comes off as naïveté.

Angela Bassett was the next star to earn a top honor as she received  Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture for her role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The 64-year-old actress made sure to mention the late star Chadwick Boseman as she thanked the cast and crew during her acceptance speech.

She said:  ‘The cast and the crew, weeping may come in the evening. But joy comes in the morning we embarked on this journey together with love we mourned, we loved, we healed.

‘And we were surrounded each and every day by the light and the spirit of Chadwick Boseman and we have joy in knowing that, well, with this historic Black Panther series, it is a part of his legacy that he helped to lead us to we showed the world what black unity, leadership, and love looks like beyond, behind, and in front of the camera.’

Bassett beat out  Kerry Condon: The Banshees of Inisherin, Jamie Lee Curtis: Everything Everywhere All At Once, Dolly De Leon: Triangle of Sadness, and Carey Mulligan: She Said.

 Quinta Brunson earned her first Golden Globe ever in the Best Television Actress – Musical/Comedy Series for her smash hit sitcom Abbott Elementary.

The 33-year-old star and creator of the show thanked her cast as she said: ‘My husband, my wonderful, wonderful cast I love you guys so much. And I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for having you I can’t believe I got to see one of my cast members win tonight I’m just so happy to be here with you all.’

She beat out an incredibly talented field including: Kaley Cuoco – The Flight Attendant, Selena Gomez – Only Murders in the Building, Jenna Ortega – Wednesday, and Jean Smart – Hacks.

Brunson portrays Janine Teagues in the series who is an optimistic second-grade teacher who has a mission to help the lives of her students while also managing her own personal life.

It was a big night for the ABC series as her castmate Tyler James Williams took home Best Supporting Actor – Television Series.

Williams beat out John Lithgow – The Old Man, Jonathan Pryce – The Crown, John Turturro – Severance, and Henry Winkler – Barry.

Jeremy Allen White triumphed as he won Best Television Actor – Musical/Comedy Series for his role in The Bear.

The 31-year-old actor began his speech by thanking his fellow nominees as he said: ‘Thank you guys my fellow nominees I am in awe of you I’m not sure where you are, but you’re all legends, it’s an honor just to have my name near yours truly.’

He beat out an impressive field of television actors including: Donald Glover – Atlanta, Bill Hader – Barry, Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building, and Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building.

Yellowstone finally made the list of Golden Globes nominees after repeated snubs from the film and TV industry, with a Best Actor in a Drama Series nomination for star Kevin Costner.

The Banshees of Inisherin starring Colin Farrell won the most nominations – eight – while Everything Everywhere All At Once won six.

Elvis, Avatar: The Way of Water and Top Gun: Maverick were all nominated for Best Picture while The Crown won an array of nominations.

The White Lotus swept the Limited Series categories, with actresses Jennifer Coolidge and Aubrey Plaza winning nominations for Best Supporting Actresses.

Brendan Fraser won a nomination for Best Actor for his role in The Whale, however he previously vowed not to attend the show in a boycott of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

He previously accused Philip Berk – the now banned former HFPA president who called BLM a ‘hate movement – of groping him at a luncheon.

Jennifer Coolidge and Aubrey Plaza were both nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for their roles in Season 2 of The White Lotus.

The series was also nominated for Best Limited Series. Dahmer, the Netflix hit about the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, won four nominations.

Austin Butler was nominated for Best Actor in a Drama for his role in Elvis, which also claimed a nomination for Best Picture.

Elizabeth Debicki was nominated for her role as Princess Diana in The Crown, while Jonathan Pryce was nominated for his role as Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Golden Globe Awards honor the best in film and American television as voted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.  They are also considered the unofficial kick-off to awards season which culminates with The Oscars on March 12.

Previously announced Golden Globe Award winner and six-time nominee Eddie Murphy will be the recipient of the 2023 Cecil B. DeMille Award.

Five-time Golden Globe Award winner and sixteen-time nominee Ryan Murphy will receive the Carol Burnett Award. 

Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Quentin Tarantino and Billy Porter are among the stars presenting awards at the show.

As the awards show has been accused of having a lack of diversity, perhaps the HFPA wanted to steer clear of controversy as  Will Smith, 54, did not receive a nomination for film Emancipation months after his infamous slap of Chris Rock at The Oscars.

Meanwhile Jennifer Lawrence, 32, was also ignored for indie film Causeway.

Keke Palmer also did not earn a recognition for her transcendent performance in Jordan Peele’s horror/sci-fi flick Nope.

Julia Roberts and George Clooney also failed to be recognized for their romantic comedy Ticket To Paradise which earned an impressive $70million in the worldwide box office.

Hollywood had effectively boycotted the Globes. It used to be one of the most-watched award shows after the Academy Awards.

NBC had reason to want to get the Globes back on the air.

In 2018, the network signed an eight-year deal to continue airing the awards through 2026.

Citing the HFPA’s ongoing reforms, NBC elected not to televise the previous Golden Globes in January. The organization went ahead announcing awards, anyway, in an untelevised and little-noticed gathering unattended by nominees.

This year´s ceremony, the organizations said, will be broadcast in a one-year agreement.

Terms were unavailable but the deal is expected to be less than the approximately $60 million the network previously paid annually to air the Globes. With backlash swirling and the ceremony scaled down because of the pandemic, the 2021 Globes were watched by 6.9 million people, according to Nielsen, down from more than 18 million the year before.

Whether NBC’s endorsement will be enough to return the Globes to Hollywood’s good graces, however, remains to be seen. Nominations for the Globes were announced on December 12.

The HFPA is currently being run by interim Chief Executive Todd Boehly, whose investment firm, Eldridge Industries, bought the Globes and turned it from a nonprofit into a for-profit venture.

Boehly’s firm is also the parent company of dick clark productions, the awards’ producer, and the owner of the Globes’ longtime home, the Beverly Hilton.

 The 80th annual Golden Globe Awards will air on NBC and streaming service Peacock on Tuesday, January 10 at 8pm EST/5pm PST.