The Moment
The Golden Globes are supposed to be Hollywood’s boozy icebreaker: sparkly, a little messy, and just self-aware enough to be fun. This year at the Beverly Hilton, the dress code delivered, the after-parties delivered, and the actual show? Viewers are calling it one word: cringe.
Comedian Nikki Glaser hosted for the second time, pacing the same Beverly Hills ballroom that has seen everything from Cher to Champagne-fueled chaos. She came in hot, roasting Trump’s Justice Department with a bit about giving the DoJ a ‘best editing’ award for those heavily redacted Epstein files, then swiping at CBS with a ‘most editing’ jab, calling it ‘America’s newest place to see BS news.’
Meanwhile, some of the biggest names in the room apparently decided their time was better spent elsewhere. Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, plus Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, slipped out of the Beverly Hilton before the final trophies were handed out. Actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key was also spotted heading for the exits early.
At home, the reaction was just as icy. Viewers on social media spent the night calling the broadcast ‘cringe’ and a ‘disappointment,’ saying the jokes felt forced and the energy never quite warmed up.
And yet, once the show wrapped, the ecosystem kicked back into gear. George and Amal Clooney were photographed leaving an after-party in Los Angeles, looking every inch the power couple. Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet were caught cozying up and kissing, and Jessie Buckley toasted her win with her rarely-seen husband. The telecast may have sagged, but the celebrity machine kept right on humming.
The Take
I am starting to believe awards shows need a wellness retreat, not a new host.
The Golden Globes are clearly stuck in an awkward middle age. They know they cannot go back to the old boys’ club vibe, but they also have no idea how to be cool without feeling like your aunt trying a TikTok dance at Christmas.
On paper, Nikki Glaser was a logical choice. She is sharp, she is fearless, and she is not afraid to punch up. The problem is the room did not seem to be in the mood for a full-on roast. Jokes about redacted Epstein files and ‘BS news’ might land online, but in a ballroom full of publicists and people worried about the next day’s headlines, you could almost hear the internal lawyers screaming.
The early exits tell their own story. When Selena Gomez, Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard, and Keegan-Michael Key are photographed leaving before the final awards, it is a vibe check. These are not cranky old-timers; they are usually game for a long industry night. If they are slipping out early, that suggests the show felt more like a mandatory meeting than a party.
At home, plenty of viewers clearly agreed. Calling the show ‘cringe’ is not just about one joke. It is about a broadcast that seems unsure whether it is a comedy special, a serious awards ceremony, or a three-hour advertisement for streamers. Right now, it is landing as none of the above.
The analogy that keeps coming to mind: this Globe’s telecast was like a beautifully renovated restaurant with a confused menu. The room looks great, the guests are famous, the cocktails are strong, but the chef keeps sending out half-roast, half-vegan, half-keto dishes and nobody quite knows what they are eating.
Meanwhile, look where the real joy lives: the after-parties, the Clooneys gliding out into the night, Kylie and Timothee turning a kiss into tomorrow’s timeline, Jessie Buckley celebrating with her partner. The human, unscripted moments still work. It is the over-produced middle that is creaking.
The lesson for the Globes is not ‘never make edgy jokes again.’ It is pick a lane. Either commit to being the naughty, tipsy cousin of awards season or embrace being a slightly more relaxed Oscars. Right now, they are trying to be both and ending up as a three-hour shrug with good gowns.
Receipts
Confirmed:
- The 2026 Golden Globe Awards took place at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, kicking off this year’s major Hollywood awards season, according to live awards coverage published January 12, 2026.
- Nikki Glaser hosted the ceremony for the second time and included jokes about Trump’s Justice Department, the redacted Epstein files, and CBS news coverage in her opening monologue, as described in that same coverage.
- Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco, Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, and Keegan-Michael Key were all photographed leaving the Beverly Hilton before the show’s final awards were presented.
- Social media users on X and other platforms repeatedly described the ceremony as ‘cringe’ and a ‘disappointment’ in posts using Golden Globes-related hashtags during the broadcast.
- George and Amal Clooney were photographed leaving a Golden Globes after-party in Los Angeles, while Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet were pictured getting cozy and kissing at the event. Jessie Buckley was also photographed celebrating her win with her husband, according to the same awards-night photo coverage.
Unverified / Reported:
- Why specific stars left the ceremony early has not been publicly confirmed by those individuals. Any suggestion that they walked out in protest or boredom is speculation.
- Whether the show was a ‘failure’ overall is a matter of opinion; we have viewer reactions, but not a full picture of ratings or industry response yet.
Sources: 2026 Golden Globes live awards coverage from a major U.S. entertainment news site, January 12, 2026; viewer posts on X using Golden Globes hashtags, January 12-13, 2026.
Backstory (For Casual Readers)
The Golden Globes have spent the last few years in rehab mode. After very public controversies over diversity and ethics in the voting group behind the awards, the show briefly lost its television home and a lot of its prestige. Recent broadcasts have tried to rebrand the Globes as a leaner, more transparent, more self-aware party. They still sell themselves as the looser, more freewheeling cousin to the Oscars, with big stars, big booze, and occasional big messes. The 2026 edition was supposed to cement that comeback narrative, which is why this wave of ‘cringe’ backlash stings.
What’s Next
So where do the Globes go from here? In the short term, the real story will be the numbers. If ratings land in the ‘acceptable but nothing special’ zone, the industry will shrug, post their after-party carousels, and move on to the next red carpet. If they are sharply down, expect some serious soul-searching about format, host choice, and how aggressive the monologue should be.
The show’s organizers will also be listening closely to this kind of feedback, both from viewers and from the stars who bailed early. Do they double down on comics who roast the room, or pivot to a more classic emcee whose job is to keep things moving and stay out of the headlines? That decision will quietly tell us what they think the Globes are now: edgy comedy special or glamorous industry toast.
What is certain is that the after-parties and couples moments will keep the Globes culturally relevant even when the telecast wobbles. As long as people care about who left together, who kissed in the corner, and who slipped out early, this night will stay on the calendar. The question is whether the show itself can earn back the feeling that watching live is worth three hours of your Sunday night.
What about you: are you still making time to watch the awards themselves, or are you now just here for the outfits, clips, and next-morning drama?
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