USA TODAY International Edition
Some A- listers failed to make the Golden grade
Sunday’s semi- virtual and very messy Golden Globes ceremony kicked off a strange pandemic awards season in Hollywood. There were Zoom winners, masked first responders in the audience and hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler cracking jokes from stages on opposite coasts. And there also were a few winners celebrated for their work in film and television in 2020.
But although many were deserving and expected winners, other talented nominees were overlooked.
Here are the biggest losers from Sunday’s 78th annual Golden Globes.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association
If there was one big loser of the 2021 Globes it was the organization behind the awards show. Embroiled in controversy after a Los Angeles Times investigation showed that the 87- member organization had no Black members, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association was the butt of jokes by the show’s hosts, presenters and winners. Cecil B. DeMille award recipient Jane Fonda alluded to the issue in her acceptance speech, calling for inclusivity in Hollywood. An all- too- brief allusion by three members of the HFPA in a taped message was not well- received on social media and did little to address institutional problems. It was an unfortunate specter hanging over the entire night.
Vanessa Kirby, ‘ Pieces of a Woman’; Frances McDormand, ‘ Nomadland’
Andra Day surprised pundits with a big win in the category of best drama actress for her performance in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” Many had predicted a nail- biter between Kirby, for “Pieces of a Woman,” and McDormand for “Nomadland,” which walked away with awards for best director and best drama.
Glenn Close, ‘ Hillbilly Elegy’
Close was widely favored to finally win her first Oscar for Netflix’s “Hillbilly Elegy,” and a Globe for best supporting actress would have been the logical first step. But Jodie Foster scooped up the award for “The Mauritanian.”
Kaley Cuoco, ‘ The Flight Attendant’
After the “Schitt’s Creek” sweep at the Emmy Awards last September, it was no huge surprise that the Pop TV Canadian comedy series ( popularized on Netflix) did well at the Globes, winning best actress in a comedy/ musical series for Catherine O’Hara. But Cuoco’s post-“The Big Bang Theory” role won positive reviews for her darkly comedic performance, and the Globes often award the biggest stars they can get to attend. Maria Bakalova,
‘ Borat Subsequent Moviefilm’ Bakalova stole the show and critics’ hearts with her performance as Borat’s ( Sacha Baron Cohen) daughter Tutar. Although “Borat” took two trophies, as best comedy/ musical and for Cohen as actor, Bakalova lost to Rosamund Pike for “I Care a Lot.”
‘ The Great’
Hulu’s deliriously funny historical satire was passed over for comedy or musical series, best actor ( Nicholas Hoult) and ctress ( Elle Fanning). Although “Schitt’s,” co- star Catherine O’Hara and Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”) were worthy winners, it’s a shame that “The Great” was shut out entirely.