It’s been two weeks since the 81st Golden Globes aired, and controversy throughout the whole school hasn’t stopped.

The ceremony was always going to be the subject of contention. After the Hollywood Foreign Press, the committee previously in charge of the Globes for 80 years, disbanded last summer, 64 of the original voters boycotted the ceremony. With the addition of over 300 new members from a more diverse range of worldwide backgrounds to the voting body, the award choices reflected a new order in the committee. 

But it was the host, Jo Koy, that generated the most controversy. His opening monologue, which delivered gasp-worthy jabs at Barbie and first-time nominee Taylor Swift (for her concert film The Eras Tour), polarized audiences. 

“I’m pro-Taylor Swift, anti-Jo Koy,” says Drama Club president Ghino Lee. “Jo Koy? More like no joy for us!” 

Others, though, defended the comedian. “I think [he] got a bad rap,” says Poetry Club president Erica Sherkin. “It’s a hard room, and I don’t think people realize that.” 

Given only 10 days to write the monologue after Chris Rock and other comedians declined to host last-minute, Koy attributes his performance to the pressure. 

“I am a stand-up comic, but that hosting position is a different style,” he laments in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “I feel bad, but I gotta say that I still loved what I did.”

Another source of contention was the ceremony’s new categories. For the first time since Best Animated Picture’s addition in 2006, two awards made their debut this year. 

The first was “Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television,” which rewarded comedians for the first time in Golden Globes history. It was met with appreciation by viewers, with previous host Ricky Gervais winning the award for his Netflix special Armageddon. 

“It got people to talk about standup,” Sherkin says. 

“I think it’s always good to appreciate comedians,” adds history teacher Mr. Bradbury.

But the second award, “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement,” awarding the year’s best high-grossing blockbuster movie, wasn’t met with the same praise. Nominating the year’s biggest hits from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, many on campus viewed it as a publicity stunt to boost the ceremony’s viewership. 

“[The award] was stupid and cheap, and should be eliminated immediately.” Bradbury remarks. 

“They just did it to give an award to Barbie,” says ASB member Elias Fenig.

Still, the Margot Robbie- and Ryan Gosling-led film about the eponymous children’s toy saw waves of praise from many at school. 

“I f*cking loved Barbie!” says senior Max Fults. “And everything Oppenheimer won was deserved.” 

The ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon saw a combined total of 7 wins at the ceremony, much to student approval. 

“Oppenheimer was so good, I loved Cillian Murphy,” says senior Angel de Leon. 

Murphy, who stars in the film, won the Best Drama Actor award at the ceremony, prompting a standing ovation from the televised crowd.

But not everyone was so enthusiastic about the duo’s success. 

“I thought both movies were overrated,” says Video Production Club vice president Lui Bernal. 

With the two films grossing a combined total of nearly $2.4 billion at the box office, there were bound to be many disapproving of their popularity.

Other films saw big wins, too; independent releases Poor Things, The Holdovers, and surprise contender Anatomy of a Fall secured two awards each at the ceremony. 

“Poor Things was really good, and Emma Stone was great in it,” senior Kat Mercado says in response to the surrealist film’s wins in Best Musical/Comedy and Best Musical/Comedy Actress for Stone. 

“Paul Giamatti in The Holdovers was fantastic!” Fenig exclaims after the actor’s win alongside co-star Da’Vine Joy Randolph.

In the realm of television, three acclaimed shows – satirical drama Succession, frantic culinary comedy The Bear, and breakout Netflix series Beef – managed to sweep almost every category. The latter saw fans from all across campus appreciating it for its emotional storyline and representation of Asian Americans in mainstream television. 

“I feel like we can kinda relate to the characters.” says Advocates for Fish Club president Seongmin Song.

Even for those who didn’t end up watching the awards, the Globes marked a significant event for movie, television, and Taylor Swift fans across campus. 

“I’m happy with everyone who won,” says Fenig. “There was something for everyone, and I’m glad I was able to witness it.”