The anticipation surrounding the 2024 Golden Globes surpassed the usual excitement that annually comes with this event. This is largely due to the fact that the awards show underwent an appreciable transformation following an ethics, finance, and diversity scandal within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), leading to the cancellation of the 2022 broadcast. A group of approximately 86 journalists at the HFPA faced significant scrutiny as investigative reports revealed deficiencies in diversity and its system of compensating members for their work on committees. In May 2021, the association approved changes that regarded increasing its membership by 50 percent through hiring diversity consultants. NBCUniversal said in a statement: “We continue to believe that the H.F.P.A. is committed to meaningful reform. However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the H.F.P.A. needs time to do it right. As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes. Assuming the organization executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023” (NY Times).
The embattled awards show managed to continue after Eldridge Industries, a holding company owned by Dick Clark Productions, agreed to buy the foreign press association’s Golden Globe assets (People). Regardless, the scandal raised concerns about the integrity and practices of the awards organization, making the 2024 Golden Globes a precious opportunity for redemption.
In a statement, Dick Clark Productions’s CEO Jay Penske said: “As stewards of the Golden Globe Awards, our mission is to continue creating the most dynamic awards ceremony on live television viewed across the world. We have a great team in place to grow this iconic brand and captivate new and existing audiences to celebrate the very best in television and motion pictures” (Vogue).
Since the Golden Globes found new ownership in 2023 and the Hollywood Foreign Press dissolved, the looming question prevailed: how would the show shape up this year under the helm of new ownership?
Photo courtesy of the Hollywood Reporter.
The most significant change was that two new categories were added: the Golden Globe for Best Performance in Stand-up Comedy on Television; and a Golden Globe for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, awarded to the highest-earning or most widely seen blockbusters that have also achieved artistic excellence (Vogue).
The 2024 Globes marked the first time Stand-up comedians have been honored at the awards show, and the award winner for Best Performance in Stand-up Comedy on Television was Ricky Gervais. Gervais has a long history with the Golden Globes, having hosted the show five times. However, his most recent gig created a stir due to his controversial jokes poking fun at all the biggest names in Hollywood (Entertainment Weekly). When Gervais’s win was announced, the English comedian wasn’t even present at the ceremony to claim his trophy.
“Barbie” won the Golden Globe for Cinematic and Box Office achievement with more than $1.4 billion at the global box office, “Barbie” became the highest-grossing movie in Warner Bros. history, and met strong support from critics. When reviewing the award, Greta Gerwig thanked “all of the Barbies and the Kens in front of and behind the screen. It was the greatest, most joyful show of craftsmanship and passion I’ve ever seen” (Deadline).
The 2024 Golden Globes marked a significant turning point, transcending challenges from a past scandal. It demonstrated the industry’s ability to evolve, but continue to celebrate excellence.
