Key Takeaways
- The Golden Globes have introduced a new award category for podcast of the year, recognizing the medium’s "seismic growth" and "extraordinary and diverse talents".
- The new category has been met with controversy, with some accusing it of being "unethical" and a "money grab" due to the involvement of Luminate, a data tracker owned by the same company as the Golden Globes.
- The list of eligible podcasts was narrowed down to 25, including some contentious right-wing shows, but ultimately no political podcasts were nominated.
- The nominees for the inaugural podcast category include "Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard", "Call Her Daddy", "Good Hang With Amy Poehler", "The Mel Robbins Podcast", "SmartLess", and "Up First".
- Awards pundits predict that Amy Poehler will win the prize for her podcast "Good Hang With Amy Poehler" due to her unique interviewing style and ability to get A-list guests to open up.
Introduction to the Golden Globes’ New Podcast Category
The Golden Globes have finally caught up with the times, introducing a new award category for podcast of the year. This move recognizes the medium’s "seismic growth" and "extraordinary and diverse talents", according to the organization. The introduction of this category is a significant shift, and it’s about time that major awards shows acknowledged the impact and popularity of podcasts. With the global audience for podcasts expected to surpass 600 million people this year, it’s clear that this medium is here to stay.
The Reason Behind the New Category
The Golden Globes announced the addition of the podcast category last spring, citing the medium’s rapid growth and its reflection of "today’s audiences and consumption behavior". According to Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne, the organization is excited to recognize new forms of storytelling and honor achievements in both audio and visual podcasts. This move aims to make room for new voices and formats to be heard, while still celebrating the heritage categories that the Golden Globes are known for. The introduction of this category is a significant step forward, and it will be interesting to see how it evolves in the coming years.
Controversy Surrounding the New Category
However, the introduction of the podcast category has not been without controversy. The revelation that Luminate, a data tracker owned by the same company as the Golden Globes, would narrow down the list of eligible podcasts to 25, raised some eyebrows. This move was seen as a potential conflict of interest, with some accusing the new category of being "unethical" and a "money grab". The list of eligible podcasts included some contentious right-wing shows, such as "The Ben Shapiro Show" and "The Tucker Carlson Show", which sparked further controversy. Despite this, no political podcasts were ultimately nominated, with the nominees instead focusing on down-the-middle, entertainment-focused shows.
The Nominees for Podcast of the Year
The nominees for the inaugural podcast category are an interesting mix of established and new shows. "Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard", "Call Her Daddy", "Good Hang With Amy Poehler", "The Mel Robbins Podcast", "SmartLess", and "Up First" are all vying for the top spot. These podcasts offer a range of styles and topics, from interviews with A-list guests to discussions on current events. The nominees are a testament to the diversity and creativity of the podcasting medium, and it will be exciting to see which one takes home the award.
Predictions for the Winner
Awards pundits from Variety, Vanity Fair, and GoldDerby are all predicting that Amy Poehler will win the prize for her podcast "Good Hang With Amy Poehler". Poehler’s unique interviewing style, which combines goofiness and sensitivity, has made her podcast a standout. Her ability to get A-list guests such as Ariana Grande and Gwyneth Paltrow to open up in ways they rarely do in interviews has been particularly notable. With her genuine curiosity and sensitivity, Poehler has created a podcast that is both entertaining and insightful, making her a strong contender for the award.
