The 83rd Golden Globes ceremony commenced on Sunday, setting the stage for a night of glamour, satire, and early victories for the year's most talked-about films. Hosted for the second consecutive year by comedian Nikki Glaser, the event at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, blended celebrity celebration with pointed political commentary.
Nikki Glaser's Viral Opening Monologue
Nikki Glaser, returning as emcee, immediately set a tone of self-aware satire for the evening. "Yes, the Golden Globes, without a doubt the most important thing happening in the world right now," she quipped, acknowledging the surreal nature of the lavish event. Her rapid-fire monologue delivered punchlines on familiar Hollywood topics but quickly pivoted to more topical material.
Glaser didn't shy away from controversy. She humorously referenced the ongoing situation at Warner Bros., starting a fictional bid at $5. In a sharp political jab, she suggested the 'best editing' award should go to the Justice Department, alluding to the Epstein files. For 'most editing,' she nominated Bari Weiss' new CBS News.
First Award of the Night: A Powerful Moment
The night's first major award set an emotional precedent. Teyana Taylor won for Best Supporting Actress for her explosive performance in "One Battle After Another." A visibly moved Taylor accepted the trophy, which could be the first of many for Paul Thomas Anderson's film.
In her acceptance speech, Taylor delivered a powerful message: "To my brown sisters and little brown girls watching tonight, our softness is not a liability. Our depth is not too much. Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room we walk into. Our voices matter and our dreams deserve space."
Soon after, the award for Best Supporting Actor went to 74-year-old Stellan Skarsgård for the Norwegian family drama "Sentimental Value." It marked the respected veteran's first major Hollywood movie award, prompting a heartfelt standing ovation from the audience. "I was not prepared for this because I, of course, thought I was too old," Skarsgård remarked.
Nominations, Snubs, and Surprises
As predicted, "One Battle After Another" led the nominations with nine, closely followed by "Sentimental Value" with eight. However, the night was not without its notable omissions. The film adaptation "Wicked: For Good" was surprisingly snubbed in the Best Picture and Best Director categories.
Other surprising exclusions included popular podcaster Joe Rogan in the new podcast category, and actors Sydney Sweeney and Gwyneth Paltrow. These snubs left ample room for unexpected inclusions and wins, keeping the ceremony's outcomes unpredictable. The event, described as a Champagne-soaked party for film and television's biggest names, continues to be a major Hollywood fixture, even if its predictive power for the Oscars remains debated.
