What you need to know about the hybrid Golden Globes

First awards show of 2021 will see most stars appearing remotely

It feels like something of a miracle, or a dream, that we are gearing up for the pandemic-delayed 78th-annual Golden Globes Sunday.

Understandably, there are many questions about the first major awards show of 2021.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will return to the Golden Globes, hosting for the fourth time, which strikes a return-to-normal feeling. But even their appearances will be on separate stages — in Los Angeles and New York — for the hybrid format in which most of the stars will be remote.

“This is going to be one of those experiences that’s once in a lifetime, hopefully,” said Andra Day, nominated star of “The United States Vs. Billie Holiday,” during a pre-show virtual news conference Wednesday. Here’s what you need to know: The Globes air Sunday on NBC and CTV

The three-hour show will air live coast-to-coast on NBC and CTV at 8 p.m.

The nominees will be watching the show from around the world, prepared to make virtual speeches. Amanda Seyfried, nominated for her role as supporting actress in “Mank,” said she’ll be watching at home from her couch with her family, including a newborn son. “Throughout the night I will absolutely have to feed my young son,” said Seyfried. “But I’m going to be with them all, including my dog.”

There will be pre-shows, but don’t expect a red carpet parade.

The official 2021 Golden Globe Awards pre-show will stream live from the official @GoldenGlobes Twitter account and on the website goldenglobes.com at 6:30 p.m., though expect traditional red carpet coverage to lean into virtual nominee interviews, awards punditry and red carpet history instead.

Who’s presenting?

Presenters will actually be on Globes stages. They include Michael Douglas, Catherine ZetaJones, Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Sterling K. Brown, Susan Kelechi Watson, Awkwafina, Cynthia Erivo, Joaquin Phoenix, Kristen Wiig, Renée Zellweger, Annie Mumolo, Kenan Thompson, Tiffany Haddish, Anthony Anderson, Kate Hudson and Margot Robbie.

Spike Lee’s children, Satchel and Jackson Lee, have ceremonial roles as Golden Globe ambassadors.

What movies and shows are even nominated?

It’s been a difficult year for theatrical releases during the pandemic with many theatres closed. This explains how streaming service Netflix took a whopping 42 nominations.

Those include director David Fincher’s pack-leading “Mank,” which garnered six nominations, for top film drama, director, drama actor (Gary Oldman), supporting actress (Seyfried), score and screenplay.

Netflix and director Aaron Sorkin’s courtroom drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7” scored five nominations. Chloé Zhao’s road movie “Nomadland,” which just debuted on Hulu, took four nominations.

The late Chadwick Boseman is in the running to be honoured as best actor for his final film role in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Boseman is the favourite in the race with Oldman, Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”), Anthony Hopkins (“The Father”), and Tahar Rahim (“The Mauritanian”).

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association picks the winners

Don’t take this typically boozy awards show too seriously. The HFPA is an oft-criticized, small group of roughly 90 international journalists based in Southern California. However, the Globes broadcast has turned into a momentum builder for films leading into the Oscars, which this year will take place on April 25.