You can always rely on ‘awards season outrage’ – this year’s Golden Globes didn’t disappoint

In the ever-changing world we’re living in, it’s an odd comfort to know that awards season outrage is something we can always rely on, writes Jacob Stolworthy

The Golden Globes again made some controversial decisions (AFP via Getty)

Earlier this week, a realisation dawned on the culture desk: awards season had arrived. You might wonder why this was a surprise considering it’s an annual (dare I say drawn out) fixture in the entertainment calendar, and one we tirelessly cover from start to end.

However, a delay in proceedings due to Covid-19 had put it squarely in the back of our minds as “next month’s problem”.

The announcement of the 2021 Golden Globe nominations saw to that. On Wednesday (3 February), Sarah Jessica Parker and Taraji P Henson logged onto Zoom to name the films and TV shows in contention for trophies.

This was the first concrete hint at what to expect from this year’s awards ceremony matriarch, the Oscars. Next to those, the Golden Globes are very much the annoying cousin.

It was my job to live blog the event, offering up hopes and predictions in the hours leading to the virtual announcement for anybody (anyone!) who wished to follow along. Then, at 1.35pm on the dot, the nominations were named so quickly it took a crack team of three to ensure we could keep up. 

Personally speaking, I was so busy ensuring Frances McDormand and Schitt’s Creek’s names had been spelt correctly that some of the biggest shocks didn’t dawn on me until hours later.

Chief of these was Emily in Paris – the despised Netflix series that offended the entire population of France – being nominated, despite absolute squat for Michaela Coel’s marvellous I May Destroy You. 

Among the other outrages were: a snub for Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods), a nomination for nobody’s favourite actor Jared Leto (The Little Things), and Minari – an American film about a Korean American family – being nominated in the Best Foreign Language category and not in the main film categories.

In the ever-changing world we’re living in, it’s an odd comfort to know that awards season outrage is something we can always rely on.

Yours,

Jacob Stolworthy

Culture reporter