Remember when Hollywood award shows were must-see TV? Back when families would gather around their television sets, eager to watch their favorite stars celebrate the magic of entertainment. Those golden days when the glitz and glamour of Tinseltown could command the attention of tens of millions of Americans.
Well, those days are starting to feel as dated as a black-and-white movie. The entertainment industry’s elite have traded their ability to entertain for endless lectures about politics, and American viewers are responding by changing the channel faster than you can say “thank you to my agent.”
The Golden Globe Awards, which aired Sunday night January 5, 2025, on CBS, just wrapped up their 82nd annual ceremony. Host Nikki Glaser took the stage with the usual mix of designer fashion and political commentary, but something was noticeably missing: the audience. And we’re not just talking about the ones in the Beverly Hilton ballroom.
Despite initial attempts to spin the story, the final Nielsen ratings are in – and they’re about as popular as a Netflix password-sharing crackdown.
This year’s ceremony attracted just 9.3 million viewers, down from last year’s already modest 9.4 million. For perspective, the same night’s NFL game between the Vikings and Lions drew a massive 28.5 million viewers.
Even more telling: before the pandemic (2008-2019), the Golden Globes regularly pulled in nearly 20 million viewers. That’s right – the show has lost more than half its audience in less than a decade.
The show’s host couldn’t resist taking shots at former President Trump’s 2024 victory. Glaser mockingly told the star-studded crowd, “You could really do anything. I mean except tell the country who to vote for. But it’s okay, you will get them next time. If there is one.”
This continues a pattern of Hollywood awards shows becoming increasingly political. Last year’s host Jo Koy faced similar criticism for his political messaging, which preceded a ratings decline that has now continued into 2025.
Here’s where the story takes an interesting turn. CBS initially attempted to claim victory, reporting through their measurement company VideoAmp that viewership had actually increased to 10.1 million viewers. That’s like claiming your diet was successful because you switched to a heavier scale.
The truth emerged when Nielsen, the industry-standard ratings service, revealed the actual numbers. The attempted cover-up only highlighted Hollywood’s growing disconnect from reality.
What’s really happening here is simpler than a Marvel movie plot. Regular Americans are tired of being lectured by celebrities who live behind gated compounds while preaching about privilege.
They’re choosing to spend their Sunday nights watching football instead of political sermons dressed up as entertainment.
The irony is profound – an industry that claims to speak for the common person can’t even convince people to watch their free TV show anymore. As President Trump’s re-election proved, Americans are increasingly rejecting Hollywood’s attempt to influence their values and votes.
Sources: Source, Variety, TVLine
Author: Kit Fargo
