The Golden Globes have found their host! The awards show, scheduled to air next month on CBS for the first time, has announced that Jo Koy, the comedian best known for his appearances on Chelsea Lately and starring in last year’s studio comedy Easter Sunday, will be taking on the role of emcee. The Globes are hoping this marks a comeback event in terms of both talent attendance and ratings after years of scandal and a departure from the show’s longtime home at NBC.
“We are thrilled to have Jo host the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards and bring his infectious energy and relatable humor to kick off Hollywood’s award season. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for the stars in the room and a global audience,” said Helen Hoehne, Golden Globes President. “We know Jo is bringing his A-game.” Koy expressed his excitement by saying, “I’ve stepped onto a lot of stages around the world in my career, but this one is going to be extra special. I’m so excited to be hosting the Golden Globes this year. This is that moment where I get to make my Filipino family proud. Mahal Kita (Google it)!”
The Globes, which disbanded its dysfunctional Hollywood Foreign Press Association membership body earlier this year, has undergone several changes, dramatically expanding its voter rolls and adding in categories for stand-up comedians and box-office achievement, both of which have met some scrutiny. Given the CBS platform and assortment of Oscar contenders nominated, including huge showings for Barbie and Oppenheimer, the ceremony is still expected to be a major kickoff to the onslaught of 2024 awards shows, and could give contenders an early boost in the race with the opportunity to give a nationally televised speech.
A well-regarded comedian, Koy (who appeared in The Haunted Mansion this year) marks a change of pace for the Globes, who in their pre-COVID days were known for bringing major comedians like Ricky Gervais and the duo of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler into the role. Earlier this year, Jerrod Carmichael helmed a spiky ceremony in which he confronted the HFPA’s reportedly scandalous conduct head-on. The selection of Koy follows CNN’s claim that the Globes, now owned by Dick Clark Productions and Eldridge Industries, attempted to bring a bigger name in to fill the role, with the likes of Chris Rock, Ali Wong, and the hosts of the Smartless podcast all reportedly declining.
In their press release revealing Koy as the host, the Globes highlighted the relative freshness of their pick, writing, “This marks the comedian’s first-ever hosting gig role for a major awards show.” We’ll see what kind of energy he brings to the Beverly Hilton on January 7.
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