2020 Golden Globes: Live Discussion & Predictions

I wouldn't even call that a real issue. There’s a massive difference between being a killer stand-up comedian and actually knowing how to write a decent sitcom.

Grace Edwards said:Well, maybe that’s exactly why. He’s a top-tier comedian. People just don't tolerate that kind of stuff anymore in this whole SJW era.
I guess John Cleese doesn't even have the heart to do comedy gigs lately because the climate is so toxic, with everyone getting offended by everything.

I was actually bingeing some recent stand-up specials on Netflix the other day, and man, my ears were bleeding. Gervais, Jeselnik... honestly, everyone. They spend half their damn set basically deconstructing and apologizing for their own jokes. It’s like they tell a punchline and then immediately pivot into a lecture explaining *why* it’s okay that they said what they just said. They’ve turned into these guys who tell a joke and then spend the next three minutes justifying it just in case someone didn't "get" it or decided to take offense. 😢

It absolutely kills the rhythm and just makes the whole thing suck way more than it should. 😢

Aside from that, these award shows have become such a total drag that nobody actually cares. If it wasn't for Ricky and that old-school curiosity of seeing who they're gonna try to corner or throw under the bus next, I wouldn't watch a single second unless I was related to one of the nominees. 😁

Jesse Thomas7 said:I was actually bingeing some recent stand-up specials on Netflix the other day, and man, my ears were bleeding. Gervais, Jeselnik... honestly, everyone. They spend half their damn set basically deconstructing and apologizing for their own jokes. It’s like they tell a punchline and then immediately pivot into a lecture explaining *why* it’s okay that they said what they just said. They’ve turned into these guys who tell a joke and then spend the next three minutes justifying it just in case someone didn't "get" it or decided to take offense. 😢

It absolutely kills the rhythm and just makes the whole thing suck way more than it should. 😢

Aside from that, these award shows have become such a total drag that nobody actually cares. If it wasn't for Ricky and that old-school curiosity of seeing who they're gonna try to corner or throw under the bus next, I wouldn't watch a single second unless I was related to one of the nominees. 😁

I caught Jeselnik back during his roast days and thought he was killer. It’s actually good to see him evolve into a legitimate comedian...

cosmicdriver42 said:I caught Jeselnik back during his roast days and thought he was killer. It’s actually good to see him evolve into a legitimate comedian...

But honestly, watching his latest stand-up special, I couldn't help but notice how he (and I am totally not exaggerating 😬) went completely dead serious right after that bit about babies. He started over-explaining himself, basically lecturing the crowd that he was "just kidding" and that, obviously, he doesn't actually believe people should kill infants in their private lives because, hey, he's a comedian. 😢

Jesse Thomas7 said:But honestly, watching his latest stand-up special, I couldn't help but notice how he (and I am totally not exaggerating 😬) went completely dead serious right after that bit about babies. He started over-explaining himself, basically lecturing the crowd that he was "just kidding" and that, obviously, he doesn't actually believe people should kill infants in their private lives because, hey, he's a comedian. 😢

I swear, I can never seem to hold a baby for more than five minutes without feeling like I’m about to lose my mind or drop the little thing entirely! 🤣 🤣

Noah Roberts46 said:Look, try explaining your point without the arrogance and the trolling for once. How can you claim a movie is worse than *The Irishman*—which, by the way, is an absolute masterpiece—if you haven't even seen it?

Have you actually sat through the other screenplay nominees? What makes this specific film so much more script-heavy than the rest of them?

Anyway, Ricky absolutely tore them apart, and Joaquin was just as blunt about how hypocritical some of them, like DiCaprio, really are.

The point isn't merely that his writing stands head and shoulders above the rest—though, for the record, I’ve sat through all five films in this category—but rather that the screenplay itself is his most formidable weapon. It is the foundation upon which everything else is built. Take *The Irishman* or *The Two Popes*, for instance; those films lean heavily on the sheer caliber of the acting, which is to say nothing of the scripts being subpar, of course. Far from it. But honestly, you have to be a complete genius to make a film about religious leaders actually gripping. One could argue that anyone else in the top five might have snatched the award given how competitive this year was, but in my estimation, *Oppenheimer* remains an absolute masterpiece.

The script is supposed to be this movie's secret weapon, right? Beyond the acting, the cinematography, and the soundtrack? Well, think again. The screenplay is easily the weakest link here, and that’s saying something because, usually, Tarantino is at his absolute best when he's writing. This film completely trips over its own feet in that department, which is why I can't call it a masterpiece. For the first two hours, there's zero narrative momentum—just endless, pointless chatter that goes nowhere.

If they wanted a tight script, they should have aimed for something on the level of Parasite or Marriage Story. Those are masterclasses in writing. Even The Irishman holds up better; that whole movie is driven by high-stakes dialogue. Here? They aren't actually saying anything of substance.

You do realize that a screenplay isn't JUST the dialogue, don't you?

Come on, walk me through what makes Tarantino's screenwriting so damn captivating. Because honestly, you still haven't actually put anything specific on the table.

Noah Roberts46 said:The script is supposed to be this movie's secret weapon, right? Beyond the acting, the cinematography, and the soundtrack? Well, think again. The screenplay is easily the weakest link here, and that’s saying something because, usually, Tarantino is at his absolute best when he's writing. This film completely trips over its own feet in that department, which is why I can't call it a masterpiece. For the first two hours, there's zero narrative momentum—just endless, pointless chatter that goes nowhere.

If they wanted a tight script, they should have aimed for something on the level of Parasite or Marriage Story. Those are masterclasses in writing. Even The Irishman holds up better; that whole movie is driven by high-stakes dialogue. Here? They aren't actually saying anything of substance.

I agree, especially with the bolded part. velvetcrane57, I think people realize that a script isn't just dialogue—so your point about being patronizing is valid. But, since we're talking about how little they talk in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, I honestly don't get why anyone thinks it's above average. It would be hard to convince me that Tarantino somehow surpassed "Parasite" with this mediocre, uninspired, and frankly quite self-indulgent effort, even in one specific writing aspect. Giving a Golden Globe to this collection of Hollywood postcards and references to his old cinematic idols might actually be funny if the competition wasn't so much worse.

It looks like we’re in for a real treat next year, because the hilarious Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are teaming up to host the Golden Globes

urbanrider8 said:It looks like we’re in for a real treat next year, because the hilarious Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are teaming up to host the Golden Globes

Here we go again with the lightweight, safe-bet humor, basically the Jimmy Kimmel playbook. It’s probably just Hollywood’s desperate attempt at a distraction since Trump is likely taking office again next month.🤣

I mean, Fey and Poehler will probably end up pulling in just as much as Ricky—assuming you can even remember his ridiculous jokes about it on 😬

Succession is definitely gaining more recognition lately, even if it hasn't quite hit that level of universal mainstream consensus yet.
We really need to give it a fair shake because the second season absolutely crushes the first one...

Grace Edwards said:I mean, Fey and Poehler will probably end up pulling in just as much as Ricky—assuming you can even remember his ridiculous jokes about it on 😬

It’s not his fault if the ladies want a piece of the pie.😁
Unfortunately, someone has to deal with Hollywood's fragile egos, and that looks like it'll be next year's job description.

urbanrider8 said:It looks like we’re in for a real treat next year, because the hilarious Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are teaming up to host the Golden Globes

They were wonderful—really. While Ricky Gervais is certainly in a league of his own, wasn't their presence such a refreshing change of pace? I enjoyed them.

If it weren't for Gervais, I don't think anyone would have even realized this ceremony actually took place.