‘A joke’: Critics furious over controversial Golden Globe nominations

Critics castigate 'notoriously out of touch voters' over several major snubs

Film critics and fans have reacted with contempt to the 2021 Golden Globes nominations.

This year’s list of nominees has drawn ire from the film and TV world over its perceived failure to properly acknowledge the best the industry has offered over the past year.

James Corden receiving a nod for his controversial portrayal of a struggling gay actor caused uproar, as The Late Late Show host’s performance was accused of perpetuating stereotypes of gay men.

Another contested nomination was Netflix’s Emily in Paris, which received two nods, including for the series’ star Lily Collins.

Many condemned the absence of Michaela Coel’s critically acclaimed BBC series I May Destroy You, which was widely hailed as one of the best shows of 2020 yet was excluded from all 12 categories.

Read more: The biggest snubs and surprises at the 2021 Golden Globe nominations

The snubbing of Spike Lee for his well-received film Da 5 Bloods was also considered a faux pas, particularly after his children were named ambassadors for this year’s ceremony.

Zendaya, who received rave reviews for her performance in Sam Levinson’s film Malcom & Marie, was also ignored.

Film Review - Malcolm & Marie (Netflix)

An article in The Cut called the nominations “a joke” and accused the voters of being “notoriously out of touch”.

NPR accused the nominations of showing a lack of diversity, while Vulture called them “an affront to quality television”.

In a comment piece for The Independent, critic Adam White asked, “do we live in hell”, noting the omission of I May Destroy You along with the nod for Corden.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

“The Globes have always existed in a strange space where admirable good taste and horrid mistakes collide,” he wrote.

“It’s partly why they’re so much fun. But this year’s line-up is proof that for all the speculation that the pandemic has upended the cinematic rule book, from how films are released to which ones get celebrated, some things really don’t change.”