The Golden Globes used to be predictable in their eccentricities, regularly defying the conventional wisdom with off-the-wall wins. But ever since the group behind the Globes diversified its voting membership in response to several scandals, the show has become almost respectable, with voters no longer rubber-stamping the same A-listers and sometimes showing taste and acumen.
If you miss the messiness, perhaps that’s something the famously free-flowing champagne at the Beverly Hilton can still provide. But in the meantime, here are a few things you can reliably expect from the ceremony being held Sunday and broadcast on CBS (or streamed on Paramount+ Premium).
‘One Battle After Another’ will dominate
Early as it is, this award season is already shaping up to be a victory lap for “One Battle After Another.” Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic about radicals and reactionaries took top honors at the Critics Choice Awards last weekend and leads the Golden Globe nominations with nine, including a nod for best musical or comedy that it’s all but certain to win. In the dramatic categories, it could be a big night for Ryan Coogler’s vampire film, “Sinners,” though it faces strong competition from the period weepie “Hamnet” and the Norwegian family tale “Sentimental Value,” which had the second-highest nominations haul with eight.
Nikki Glaser settles in
A high bar was set at previous Golden Globe ceremonies by Ricky Gervais, who hosted five times, as well as the four-time hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. This year, the comedian Nikki Glaser will return for her second hosting stint, and though her jabs had some in the room bristling last year, the stars may be more willing to play along now that she’s a familiar face. Expect Glaser to deliver at least one zinger about the gay romance “Heated Rivalry,” especially since the leads of the HBO hockey hit will be presenting.
The winner is … a podcaster?
This year, the Globes introduced a new category for best podcast, though the initial shortlist drew controversy for including right-wing figures like Megyn Kelly and Ben Shapiro. The final group of six nominees ultimately avoided any polarizing picks, mostly leaning toward entertainment-adjacent podcasts like “Smartless” and “Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard.” Given the Globes’ long history with Poehler, her podcast “Good Hang” is seen as the favorite to win.
One speech could change everything
As the most significant televised awards show before the Oscars, the Globes give winners 60 seconds onstage to make their case to the academy, just one day before Oscar voting begins. This valuable face time can help the contender who makes the most memorable speech, as Demi Moore did last year with her passionate win for “The Substance.” In particularly tight races like lead actor in a drama (with Michael B. Jordan vs. Wagner Moura) and supporting actress (a three-way battle royale between Amy Madigan, Teyana Taylor and Ariana Grande), that speech could make all the difference.
Kyle Buchanan is a pop culture reporter and also serves as The Projectionist, the awards season columnist for The Times.
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