The Golden Globes are Fun and Have a Role to Play

Not too commercial, not too artsy

The Globes are given out by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The concept is that these are foreign critics who live in LA. The show is more or less supposed to be the voice of the ex-US markets, which are critical to Hollywood’s success. 

It seems that the HFPA made an error when they were founded in 1943 in calling themselves the “foreign press” when really they were the “European press.” At the time, Europe was pretty much the whole aftermarket for Hollywood content so it was perhaps understandable and a distinction without a difference, but 80 years later they hadn’t updated their membership to reflect the expanded markets. After recent adjustments, they are more diverse. If they wanted to truly reflect the ex-US market, it would have a ton of Germans, and more Japanese and Korean journalists than I think it does. But I guess we aren’t being very precise and it’s not clear what criteria people are really using when they criticize the makeup of the voting body in any case. 

For the record, I haven’t seen credible claims of financial chicanery. They’ve never been detailed that I’ve seen, merely alluded to. At Amazon we won a boatload of Globes and I barely ever met anyone in the HFPA. But when it’s time to get on someone’s case, the entertainment press will throw every conceivable allegation into the fire. Who knows? 

Regardless, the past is past and the show is back. And the awards are chosen by, as far as I know, foreigners. Who are critics? I presume so. 

Aside from the business aspects, one good thing about the show is that it is more fun and casual than the Emmys or Oscars — for the participants. I’ll spend a moment on this. The Globes are set up as a dinner party. People mill about and say hi and they serve dinner and drinks. No one mills about at The Oscars. You’re stuck in your seat. The Globes covers both TV and film and most people aren’t interested in both TV and film (professionally). So half the time they’re really looking to hang out or chat. There is a lot of good getting to know you out on the smoking lounge whether you smoke or not. I wonder if they’ll even still have that this year.

In terms of substance, my impression has been that the HFPA voters actually watch the new shows and films and that they give out awards with an openness to new material that is breaking ground and that may be of interest to important markets beyond our borders. 

I don’t think the Oscar and Emmy voters — the thousands and thousands of them — are as assiduous about keeping up with television and film, especially new television. That’s my impression. I think they are much more influenced by publicity and FYC campaigns. What we observe in television in particular at the Emmys is the repeat or default winner. This happens in the acting categories too. So while the Emmys were going year after year to Mad Men (2008-2011), Modern Family (2010-2014), Game of Thrones (2015-2016, 2018-2019), and Veep (2015-2017), the Globes infrequently repeats and found room for the first seasons of, for example, Transparent and Atlanta, both of which were excellent. To be fair, the Emmys did take a short break for a couple of my shows at Amazon, Fleabag (2019) and Maisel (2020), but now they’re on a new train — Ted Lasso (2021-2022). 

(You know in 2015 Amazon led all networks in comedy nominations? It’s true. This year Amazon Studios got zero noms. Zip. Feckin’ tragic, as the Banshees of Inisherin might say. I wonder what that’s like.)

The Globes aren’t the Spirit Awards (too artsy) but they aren’t the Emmys either. They probably favor new work a little. I think there’s a place for that. 

For movies, the Globes come very early in the year when Q4 indies should still be in theaters, and provide a sorely needed opportunity for them to get attention. And again, the Globes can elevate a title, particularly a comedy since they give out two Best Pictures, in a way that few awards can. Getting a Gotham Award or even a Palme d’Or is nice for you and the Palme d’Or can help with distribution, but it doesn’t have a major impact on box office. Most of these warm up December awards shows and guild awards are personal accolades and opportunities for people to workshop acceptance speeches for the big awards shows. 

The Globes have a role to play. I’m glad they have addressed their issues and returned.