LOS ANGELES (US) – The Golden Globes is all set to kicks off a pandemic-era Hollywood awards season on Sunday.
Sunday’s ceremony will be broadcast live on NBC television. It will take place for the first time on two coasts, with comedians Tina Fey hosting from New York and Amy Poehler hosting from Beverly Hills, California. Some of the presenters, including Michael Douglas and his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones, will appear in person, but the nominees will attend from their homes or other locations around the world.
Tom O’Neill, founder of awards prediction website Goldderby.com, said Fey and Poehler were the perfect hosts for unusual times.
“They are snarky, lovable and mean, and they are fantastic entertainers. They are also good at handling those inevitable fiasco moments,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill said virtual shows and webcams have given audiences an intimate glimpse into the lives and homes of celebrities.
“It has taken us deeper into what we always wanted: an unscripted reality show with superstars,” he said.
Alison Willmore, film critic at entertainment website Vulture.com. said “The Globes have traditionally been more fun than the Oscars in terms of the telecast. They are looser and funnier, and everyone’s drinking and it felt a little more unpredictable.”
“When there is magic in awards shows, it comes from everyone being in the same room together,” she added.
The show this time will devoid of any grand gathering, designer attire or red carpet.
The coronavirus pandemic not only closed movie theaters and prompted studios to shift dozens of releases into late 2021 or 2022, it also led to the postponement of awards shows and turned them into socially distanced affairs.
The Oscars don’t take place until April 25, but organizers have said it will be an in-person show from multiple locations
The 1930s Hollywood drama “Mank” goes into Sunday’s ceremony with a leading six nominations, including for the top prize of best drama film.
But pundits say that’s no guarantee of success. The black-and-white film about the screenwriter of “Citizen Kane” faces stiff competition from “Nomadland,” a moving documentary-style drama about van dwellers in recession-hit America, and 1960s hippie courtroom drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” The #MeToo revenge black comedy “Promising Young Woman” and ageing drama “The Father” round out the film drama nominations.