*The opinions expressed within the content are solely the author’s and do not reflect the website’s or its affiliates’ opinions and beliefs.”
Jo Koy’s performance at the Golden Globes when introducing “Barbie” has drawn significant criticism from many quarters. While the comedian has a reputation for being able to “work the room” and draw laughter from his audiences with ease, his delivery at the awards ceremony was, to put it bluntly, an unmitigated disaster.
Koy’s failure to connect with the audience was evident from the get-go. His jokes, even before the unfortunate introduction of “Barbie,” were delivered in a haphazard and often incoherent fashion. While some wouldn’t seem out of place in one of his various comedy specials, in the context of the awards ceremony, they certainly did not fit. While many comedians can use the stage to make their audience comfortable, Koy’s jokes seemed only to confuse and alienate the audience, rather than make them laugh.
But it wasn’t just the poor delivery that was problematic. Koy also showed a startling lack of respect for the work and thought behind the production of “Barbie.” While I have openly criticized the film myself, I still held “Barbie” in high regard for the way it deliberately called out the issues with patriarchal structures, gender inequality and the double standards set for women in society. It was an undoubtedly powerful film for the way it created social discourse and provoked thought, even if I found it to be quite literal. Koy on the other hand displayed a crude understanding at best and proved to make himself the exact model of what “Barbie” was warning against. While it is certainly fine for a comedian to make light of a topic, Koy’s jokes seemed to be at the expense of the creators, suggesting that the film was shallow, superficial and undeserving of the accolades in comparison to “Oppenheimer.”
While some may argue that juvenile humor is what many comics successfully utilize when discussing or introducing serious topics in a more palatable light, and that “Barbie” should be no different from them, I strongly disagree. Utilizing base humor is indeed a successful way to turn a serious, occasionally respectful and commanding topic into something funny. Comics who utilize this do so understanding the nuances of their audience and their stage, and lead into more substance within the jokes themselves later on.
The jokes made by Koy seemed to be based more on stereotypes and preconceptions than on any real understanding of the complex and nuanced role that “Barbie” has played in popular culture. He reduced the film to a mere excuse for self-promotion and juvenile jokes. His disregard for the film and its makers demonstrated that he had no real understanding or appreciation for the thought and effort that went into its production. The fact is that “Barbie” has had a significant impact on society, both in terms of its role in shaping gender norms and in its impact on body image and self-esteem. And while it is fair for the validity of awards to be debated, “Barbie” certainly deserves the acclaim it garnered.
Even more frustrating is that it seems that Koy put little or no prep work into the performance at all.
To his credit, Koy only had around ten days to prepare, according to an article by The Wrap. Defending the comedian and brushing off his poor performance value with the excuse that there simply was not enough time for him to sufficiently arrange himself accordingly. However, if you know that you cannot bring your best to a job with the supplies you provide, I think you should not accept it.
Koy’s lack of preparation for his performance at the Golden Globes is especially disappointing given his status as a professional comedian. A fundamental aspect of any comedian’s job is to craft and rehearse appropriate material for the audience they are performing for. This requires careful consideration of the audience’s demographic, their preferences and the general mood of the event.
In the case of the Golden Globes, which is a prestigious and highly formal occasion, it was important for Koy to craft a set of jokes that were both witty and respectful of the occasion. He should have considered the fact that the audience was likely to include many celebrities, many of whom may have taken offense at his jokes. Additionally, he should have taken into account the serious and high-esteem nature of the awards ceremony and sought to make his jokes accordingly.
Koy failed to do any of these things. His jokes were neither witty nor respectful of the occasion, and the audience responded accordingly. Not only did he fail to connect with the audience, but he also damaged his career and reputation as a comedian
As a professional comedian, he should have known better than to take to the stage without a well-crafted set of jokes that were appropriate for the audience and the occasion. The result was a comedic fiasco that seemed to betray a lack of both effort and consideration for the event and the subject matter.
While it is important to recognize that comedy is a subjective art form, and that what may be funny to one audience may not be humorous to another, the criticism is well-founded in the case of Koy’s performance at the Golden Globes. Koy not only failed to deliver the level of humor expected of a seasoned performer, but he also showed a surprising lack of respect and understanding of the subject matter. Even considering the lack of preparation he was allowed, Koy was hosting the Golden Globes and should have acted like it, to say he fell flat would be a massive understatement.
