When Tina Fey and Amy Poehler trashed the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) at this year’s Golden Globes, they were only pointing out the obvious.
The organization has always been shady because of its sketchy membership, lack of transparency, and now add to that a lack of diversity.
The event’s organizers have no Black members. Is it any wonder Black-led projects were snubbed this year when nominations were released?
“This is probably something we should’ve told you guys earlier. Everybody is, understandably, upset at the HFPA and their choices,” said Poehler.
“Look, a lot of flashy garbage got nominated, but that happens, OK? That’s, like, their thing, but a number of Black actors and Black-led projects were overlooked.”
“We all know that award shows are stupid,” Fey jumped in.
“But the point is, even with stupid things, inclusivity is important, and there are no Black members of the Hollywood Foreign Press.
“I realized, HFPA, maybe you guys didn’t get the memo because your workplace is the back booth of a French McDonald’s, but you’ve gotta’ change that. So, here’s to changing it.”
Amy added: “Yes, and looking forward to that change.”
Helen Hoehne an HFPA member from Germany acknowledge the criticism on stage.
“We recognize we have our own work to do. Just like in film and television, Black representation is vital. We must have Black journalists in our organization.”
The event was awkward enough with nominees confined to watching the even via a video link. Instead, the audience was filled with first responders, who probably had no idea what the awards were about.
In fact that question has dogged the Foreign Press Association for years.
Fey felt compelled to explain. (See the monologue below.)
“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, and it’s rumored that the German member is just a sausage that somebody drew a little face on,” she joked.
With awards shows often criticized for snubbing female directors, the hosts took the opportunity to highlight three women who were up for Best Director.
“There are great directors nominated tonight. Regina King for “One Night in Miami,” Chloé Zhao for “Nomadland,” Emerald Fennell for “Promising Young Woman,” and two other people, but we’re out of time!”
She was referring to David Fincher, nominated for “Mank” and Aaron Sorkin for “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
Zhao won the award and her picture “Nomadland” took the coveted Best Motion Picture, Drama honor.
Oh… the awards.
‘The Crown’ was the big winner, taking four Golden Globes.
Netflix’s regal drama won Best Television Series, Drama, while cast members Josh O’Connor, Emma Corrin, and Gillian Anderson each took acting accolades
Josh and Emma – who played Prince Charles and Princess Diana – won Best Performance by an Actor and Actress in a Television Series, Drama respectively
Gillian’s portrayal of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher saw her take the Best Supporting Actress, Television.
Crown showrunner Peter Morgan, accepting the Best Television Series, Drama, pointed out the obvious.
“Quite frankly I miss not being with my fellow nominees in that wonderful room, that crazy room. I’m glad I’m not having to face the room making the speech, it’s always the most fun awards show.”
Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy went to “Schitt’s Creek.”
Creek actress Catherine O’Hara won Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy, but co-star Eugene Levy was snubbed.
The Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy award went to Jason Sudeikis for ‘Ted Lasso.”
Sudeikis was rocked this year by the split from his long-time partner Olivia Wilde, who fell into the arms of One Direction singer Harry Styles.
“The Queen’s Gambit” won for Best Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television.
Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy won for Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television for its star.
“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” won Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy and star, Sacha Baron Cohen won Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy.
The late actor Chadwick Boseman was posthumously honored with the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama for his work on “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.”
Andra Day was a surprise winner of Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama for “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.”
Golden Globe Awards 2021 list of winners
Best Supporting Actor, Motion Picture:
Daniel Kaluuya, ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’
Best Supporting Actor, Television:
John Boyega, ‘Small Axe’
Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy:
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Schitt’s Creek’
Best Motion Picture, Animated:
“Soul”
Best Performance by an Actor, Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Mark Ruffalo, “I Know This Much Is True”
Best Screenplay, Motion Picture:
Aaron Sorkin, “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Drama:
Emma Corrin, “The Crown”
Best Original Song, Motion Picture:
‘Is Si (Seen)’, “The Life Ahead”
Best Original Score, Motion Picture
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Jon Batiste, “Soul”
Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy:
Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso”
Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy:
“Schitt’s Creek”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy:
Rosamund Pike, “I Care a Lot”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Drama:
Josh O’Connor, “The Crown”
Best Picture, Foreign Language:
“Minari”
Best Television Series, Drama:
“The Crown”
Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture:
Jodie Foster, “The Mauritanian”
Best Supporting Actress, Television:
Gillian Anderson, “The Crown”
Best Performance by an Actress, Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television:
Anya Taylor-Joy, “The Queen’s Gambit”
Best Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television:
“The Queen’s Gambit”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama:
Chadwick Boseman, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
Best Director, Motion Picture:
Chloé Zhao, “Nomadland”
Best Picture, Musical or Comedy:
“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy:
Sacha Baron Cohen, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama:
Andra Day, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”
Best Motion Picture, Drama:
“Nomadland”