Many wondered if “Rothaniel” comedian Jerrod Carmichael would bring up the unseemly recent and not-so-recent history of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, particularly its problems with a notable lack of diversity in membership in the ranks of its journalists.
“Let’s get quiet here for a bit… I’m here because I’m black,” Carmichael began in his characteristic deadpan style, which even echoed his Emmy-winning HBO special “Rothaniel,” as he sat down in the steps of the stage to relay the story of how he was courted to host the 2023 return of the embattled telecast.
“This show, the Golden Globes, didn’t air last year,” Carmichael helpfully reminded the healthy-looking crowd, even though many felt there was a sense of absence in the air, not to mention the unusual torrential rain that hit Los Angeles. Angeles area in recent days.
“I won’t say they were racist, but they didn’t have a single black member since George Floyd died,” Carmichael continued. But he quipped that the organization hasn’t “had a black host in 79 years. I can’t say goodbye. He then credits his mother for telling him, “Jerrod, enough of all that! How much are they paying you? I said, ‘$500,000’. ‘Boy, if you don’t put on a suit and take the white people’s money…’
Carmichael continued with a strong and funny ending: “I heard they got six new black members, congratulations, whatever,” he quipped. But that’s not why I’m here. I look out into this room and I see a lot of talented people, people I admire, people I wish I were like, people I’m jealous of, and people who are actually really amazing artists. And regardless of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s past, this is a night we can celebrate.”
And perhaps in an effort by voters who want to put their heavily criticized racial legacy behind them or simply by chance, the first three Golden Globe winners chosen by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association were all actors of color: actor cast and motion picture winner Ke Huy Quan for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” Angela Bassett picking up a statuette for Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and Supporting Actor – TV Series Winner Tyler James Williams by Abbott Elementary.