Dolls & Dated Dialogue
Barbie (2023) at the 81st Annual Golden Globes
Today, I will be unpacking Jo Koy’s opening monologue from the 81st Annual Golden Globes to discuss why his vintage misogynistic jab at Barbie, wasn’t chic in any way.
If you haven’t seen Jo Koy’s opening monologue, you can find it here. The statement on Barbie starts at 2:37 of the video. For your convenience, I will provide the specific part of the speech below. However, seeing the reactions of the speech from the Barbie cast and other folks at the show, says everything we need to know.
“Oppenheimer is based on a 721-page, Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project. And Barbie is a plastic doll with big boobies.
The key moment in Barbie is when she goes from perfect beauty to bad breath, cellulite, and flat feet. Or what casting directors call, character actors,” - Jo Koy
In the video, you can tell how the crowd did not reciprocate the weird jokes towards Barbie well (valid). Shortly after, Jo Koy literally had to change his tone in delivery and brings up the crappy writing being not entirely his. Like… okay? Many publications have stated Koy’s lack of confidence and awareness in the room, as you can see him go into panic mode when doing his crowd work mid-way through the monologue.
“Seeing Barbie mocked & ridiculed by that reductive straight man at the Golden Globes swiftly followed by the warmongering Oppenheimer sweeping the awards like some straight male circle jerk was something sort of a Greta Gerwig script in itself,” one TikTok user said.
“I’m not surprised with The Golden Globes opening monologue. Women’s successes, vulnerabilities & bodies will always be a joke to men. We are tired.”
- Mik Zazon
It’s sadly comedic at this point. We’re talking about a film that won the Cinematic & Box Office Achievement award. A film that ruled theatres this summer and created its own culture. A story that inspired women to get out of toxic relationships or work environments because of its messaging, displaying what a seesaw it is to be a woman in every aspect of our lives.
Golden Globes, let’s get a woman to do the opening monologue next year. You’ll be surprised to find out you don’t need to talk about our bodies (in doll form or real) to get people to laugh.
Here are some optimistic highlights from the night ✨
Lily Gladstone Becomes First Indigenous Person to Win a Golden Globe for Best Actress (The New York Times)
Ayo Edebiri Wins Best Television Female Actor – Musical/Comedy (CBS)
“What I Was Made For” - Barbie Wins Best Song (Gloden Globes)
Emma Stone wins Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical/Comedy for Poor Things
XOXO
- Viv ❀