The Golden Globes have never been the most exciting award show (cc: MTV Video Music Awards or the Oscars), but they were notably less boring this year thanks to the harrowing chorus of #TimesUp. With the help of many actresses, and one actor, the stage transformed into a platform for progress and triumph. Though somewhat self-congratulatory, the show managed to throw a handful of substantial shots and savage jabs at men. While the entertainment industry continues to tackle its toxicity and inequality, we hope that Oprah’s speech prophetically ushers in a promising new horizon. As we wait for that dawn to arrive, let’s take a moment to revel in all the ways men were slammed during the wokest Golden Globes in history.
Wearing black.
When women, and some men, decided they would be wearing black during the Golden Globes in December, many were skeptical. No one knew exactly how many people would actually participate in the “silent protest,” or what a fashion decision like that could even do to help survivors of harassment and violence. But thanks to the backing of huge hollywood stars like Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, the movement actually gained traction. Cameras caught a red carpet overflowing with a sea of black, as if all of Hollywood was in mourning. And of course, no good movement is complete without pins. Men in suits donned “Times Up” on their jackets, while the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press pinned one to her red dress in solidarity.
Some questioned the power of a wardrobe choice—especially when problematic stars were donning black. Justin Timberlake, for example, was put on blast for posting a photo of himself with the pin, with many pointing out that the singer chose to star in accused molester Woody Allen’s new film. Still, only three people who attended the show didn’t show up in black, making the overwhelming case against shitty men impossible to ignore. And though some cried that this move ruined the fun of red-carpet fashion, Issa Rae and Viola Davis’ flawless looks beg to differ.
Debra Messing and Eva Longoria calling out E! For Pay Inequality.
While being interviewed by E!, several actresses took it upon themselves to call out the company for its own discriminatory practices toward women. Debra Messing and Eva Longoria were among those who spoke up for Catt Sadler, who announced she was leaving E! after revealing a massive pay gap between her male co-host Jason Kennedy and herself. “I was so shocked to hear that E! doesn’t believe in paying their female co-hosts the same as their male co-hosts. I miss Catt Sadler, and we stand with her,” Messing said. “And that’s something that can change tomorrow. We want people to start having this conversation that women are just as valuable as men.”
Seth Meyers’ opening monologue.
Seth Meyers’ opening monologue set a gutsy tone for the night, and the host was notably the only man who spoke out about sexual violence or inequality on stage. “It’s 2018, marijuana is finally allowed and sexual harassment finally isn’t,” Meyers bantered at the beginning of the monologue. The talk show host targeted Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Woody Allen in his jokes directly, none of whom were present for the show. Though mostly met with laughter, one joke in particular incited a verbal groan among the audience, because frankly, it was too real. “Harvey Weinstein isn’t here tonight, because, well, I’ve heard rumors he’s crazy and difficult to work with,” Meyer said. “He’ll be back in 20 years when he’s the first person ever booed in the In Memoriam.”
This New York Times commercial that aired.
Throughout the awards show, several stars noted the importance of the press in uncovering injustice and violence in the entertainment industry. Of course, publications like the New York Times, Washington Post, and New Yorker were major players in the unraveling of some of Hollywood’s “biggest secrets.” Through an ad that aired during one of the Globe’s commercial breaks the New York Times basically said “we’re not done yet.” There are still many truths that need to be told, and the Times is ready to tell them.
This Mariah Carey tweet.
Mariah Carey presented an award for best original score and accidentally copped Meryl Streep’s seat. But the singer really needed to be recognized for Best in Shade after firing off this fantastic tweet that summed up what everyone else was wondering: where’s the tea?
Speeches from Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, and Reese Witherspoon.
Big Little Lies swept last night, which gave its stars ample speaking time on stage to address the change that needed to take place in the industry. Nicole Kidman kicked it off by recognizing her mother, who was an advocate for the women’s right movement. Then Laura Dern encouraged restorative justice for those who speak out against violence. “May we also please protect and employ them,” Dern said. “May we tell our children that speaking out without fear of retribution is our culture’s new North Star.”
Finally, Witherspoon thanked women for telling their stories, and emboldened them to keep doing so. “We see you, we hear you, and we will tell your stories,” she said.
Oprah’s (presidential?) speech.
The internet is still experiencing aftershocks from Oprah’s tectonic plate-shifting speech. Quite honestly, the entire award show could have been three hours of Oprah talking and we all still would have watched. During her 9-minute acceptance speech of the Cecil B. DeMille Award (which could be renamed the Oprah award now, just saying), Oprah did more than address the entertainment industry’s issues, she spoke out against all violence everywhere. While addressing the power of her representation, Oprah uplifted the voices of black women, as she has always done with her work. She didn’t just call out the Harvey Weinsteins of the world—that is, men in extraordinary positions of power—she called out every man hurting any woman in ordinary positions of power. Oprah promised the hope of a new horizon not just for Hollywood, but for working-class women and women of color across the globe. “For too long women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power of those men, but their time is up,” she said.
Tarana Burke’s presence.
Actress Michelle Williams, Laura Dern, and several others decided to bring #MeToo activists as their date to the Globes. Williams brought the extraordinary #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, who is arguably responsible for the power of the movement. For Burke to be present as the most powerful black women in entertainment spoke out about the cause she’s dedicated her life to is greater than any hashtag or black dress. In 2018, it's time for all of us to recognize who puts in the work, especially when a majority of that work is done by black women.
Natalie Portman's blow at the Best Director nominations.
Natalie Portman delivered the most swift and daring blow during the show while presenting the award for Best Director. Many were livid when the nominations dropped and not a single women, especially Ladybird’s Greta Gerwig, was nominated for the category. Portman took advantage of the moment by pointing that out, "Here are the all-male nominees.” Savage.
The men who couldn’t finish their speeches.
While Oprah’s glass-shattering speech lasted a serene nine minutes, and other women went over the 2-minute limit without interruption, the Globes decided that this year men needed to do a little less talking. As Jezebel points out, seven men were played off stage and interrupted mid-speech, which something many of them are probably not used to. This low-key jab is easily of the best things the show did.
Barbra Streisand saying "Times Up!"
The night ended as it began, with conflicting views about the nominees and winners of the 75th Golden Globes. However, no one could deny that bringing the legendary Barbra Streisand on stage was a bad way to wrap things up. After being introduced as the only woman to get the Best Director award, Streisand called out the industry for its glacial movement toward equal representation since her win 34 years ago. "I’m the only woman to get the best director award (at the Golden Globes),” Streisand said. “That was 1984 (for Yentl), that was 34 years ago. Folks, time’s up!"
