Sarah Morra (11) | STAFF REPORTER
The 81st Golden Globes ceremony celebrates the awards of television and film productions of 2023. This year’s Golden Globes ceremony was hosted by “comedian” Jo Koy; however, this title is reserved for individuals who have attained the ability to appease and humor a crowd. This year’s awards ceremony however, went in a different direction.
Various great film productions were nominated for the Golden Globes award in 2023. Two of the most popular being Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, and Oppenheimer, by Christopher Nolan. Though, Barbie arguably holds more political weight in its overt display of feminist ideas and difficulties for women in a patriarchal society.
Upon the presentation of these films, “comedian” Jo Koy was chosen to host the Golden Globes award ceremony. He had expressed to several that he’d been tirelessly preparing for his monologue upon introduction of the awards. One could assume that this careful and exhaustive preparation would have produced an adequate comedic monologue.
However, many were sorely disappointed as Jo Koy’s distasteful misogynistic monologue proved nothing if not the entire message that the Barbie movie was sending to its audience – that this is a man’s world. Only in an inherently sexist society would a man with prominence such as Jo Koy consider the downplaying of an impressive and renowned film to be considered humorous.
This simply shows how many find it comedic to downplay the success of women and discredit one’s hard work. His emphasis on Oppenheimer’s credibility and profoundness and then contrast to how Barbie is simply a plastic doll with large breasts is a commentary on how women are viewed in society. Despite both films being nominated for the same award, Jo Koy managed to diminish the value of a film that touched many girls and women everywhere.
Greta Gerwig worked to create a profound film regarding feminist ideas, female struggle, and overcoming the realities of the real world. Yet, it nor she was not given the respect they deserved in the slightest. This shows how upon the success of women, men in a patriarchal society are quick to devalue their accomplishments out of insecurity with themselves. Nurturing the idea that a woman’s success will never equate to that of a man’s.
Upon an apparent lack of interest or amusement from many prominent celebrities, Koy was quick to lash out at the audience as he hadn’t had “much time to prepare” and told them to “shut up!” Yet another display of immaturity from a grown man who was unfortunately chosen to host the Golden Globes award ceremony.
All in all, Jo Koy’s monologue considering Barbie and Oppenheimer was without a shadow of a doubt, a grand disappointment to many. Jo Koy’s perception of humor proved to cater to a misogynistic male audience, which was not well received at this award ceremony. However, the downplay of an overt display of misogyny and disrespect truly embodies that despite the progression made in art and film – this is still Ken’s world.
