Golden Globes host Jo Koy was angered by many in and outside of Hollywood after his monologue fell short.
The targets of his jokes included Taylor Swift, Robert De Niro, Kevin Costner and the biggest movie of 2023 – Barbie.
The comedian – who many on social media dubbed “the worst presenter ever” – said: “Barbie is it.” [about] a plastic doll with big breasts. I saw Barbie, I loved it. I really loved it. I don't want you to think I'm an idiot, but it was kind of weird being attracted to a plastic doll. Just something with your eyes, Ryan [Gosling].'
He added: “The key moment for Barbie is when she goes from perfect beauty to bad breath, cellulite and flat feet.” “Ah, or what casting directors call character actors.”
The jokes fell flat in front of the star-studded audience at the Beverly Hilton on Sunday, but Barbie director Greta Gerwig told BBC 4 Radio the joke was “not wrong”.
Golden Globes host Jo Koy was angered by many in and outside of Hollywood after his monologue fell short
The jokes fell flat in front of the star-studded audience at the Beverly Hilton on Sunday, but Barbie director Greta Gerwig told BBC 4 Radio the joke was “not wrong”.
“She’s the first doll to be mass-produced with breasts, so he was spot on,” Greta said in the interview.
“I think a lot of the film project was unlikely because it's about a plastic doll.” “Barbie has no character, no story because of her construction, she's there to be projected onto,” she said.
“But the realization that (Barbie toy creator) Ruth Handler had as she watched her daughter play with baby dolls was that she realized that my daughter doesn't want to pretend to be a mother, she wants to pretend to be.” “If she were an adult,” Gerwig added.
Barbie won the first Cinematic and Box Office Achievement Award at the Golden Globes, which was no surprise since Barbie was the biggest film of 2023 ($636.2 million domestic, $1.145 billion worldwide), which was also reported Gerwig thought.
“It was wonderful and emotional to be able to be on stage with the group that made it, and it felt very fitting because I think what we all wanted most was to connect with people to reach out and make contact.” “Let people share an experience at the cinema,” said Gerwig.
“Even though it was a brand new award, I felt like this was the award that recognized that and that's exactly what we wanted to do,” she added.
“That’s when things came full circle. It was nice to hear (star/producer) Margot (Robbie) say, “This is for everyone who came,” Gerwig said.
The director added that Barbie has been around since 1959 and she's been “a villain and a heroine, but in a way it felt like, even though it seems so superficial, it was such a rich starting point.”
“I think a lot of the film project was unlikely because it's about a plastic doll.” “Barbie has no character, no story because of her construction, she's there to be projected onto,” she said
“She’s the first doll to be mass-produced with breasts, so he was spot on,” Greta said in the interview
“I think a lot of the film project was unlikely because it's about a plastic doll.” “Barbie has no character, no story because of her construction, she's there to be projected onto,” she said.
Barbie has sparked a lot of controversy about feminism and misogyny, which Gerwig found “astonishing.”
“It got so many reactions, but those are always my favorite things.” Okay, let's talk about it. Let's discuss it. How did it feel?' Gerwig said.
Gerwig added: “In some ways that's not surprising, because Barbie is sometimes ahead of the culture, sometimes behind the culture, and she has always been a flashpoint for controversy.”
The director added that she was born in 1983 and her own mother wasn't sure if Barbie was the right toy for her, adding, “That's why I love Barbie.”