'Who is this nonsense guy': Internet shreds Jo Koy over tasteless 'Barbie' joke at Golden Globes 2024

Koy attempted humor by contrasting the intellectual weight of films like 'Oppenheimer' against the more frivolous 'Barbie'
PUBLISHED JAN 8, 2024
What began as harmless teasing took a cringeworthy turn once Koy targeted Gerwig and film 'Barbie' (Getty Images, Access Hollywood/YouTube)
What began as harmless teasing took a cringeworthy turn once Koy targeted Gerwig and film 'Barbie' (Getty Images, Access Hollywood/YouTube)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Comedian Jo Koy elicited intense backlash for his controversial opening monologue at this year's Golden Globe Awards, dimming the tone of Hollywood's big night with remarks that many viewed as tasteless or even offensive, as reported by OK Magazine.

What began as harmless teasing during Sunday's ceremony took a cringeworthy turn once Koy targeted acclaimed director Greta Gerwig and her female-empowerment film 'Barbie' as apparent punchlines.

The awkward bombs left stars like Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling stone-faced, while outraged viewers flooded social media to condemn Koy's botched and insensitive hosting performance.



 

Golden Globes host Jo Koy's 'Barbie' punchlines met with awkward silences

Comedian and host Jo Koy quickly lost his Golden Globes audience Sunday night, January 7, after making what many viewed as tasteless jokes centered around director Greta Gerwig and her blockbuster film 'Barbie'.

What began as a fairly innocuous monologue took a cringeworthy turn when Koy attempted humor by contrasting the intellectual weight of films like 'Oppenheimer' against the more frivolous 'Barbie'.



 

“Oppenheimer is based on a 721-page, Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project,” Koy began. “And Barbie is based on a plastic doll with big boobies.”

Cameras immediately cut to a visibly disappointed Gerwig, who seemed confused by Koy reducing her passion project to superficial objectification. But the worst was yet to come.

Perhaps trying to recover by clarifying it was actor Ryan Gosling’s Ken doll he was attracted to, Koy doubled down with an offensive implication. “I don’t want you guys to think that I’m a creep, but it was kind of weird being attracted to a plastic doll.” Gosling offered only an icy stare in response as the audience remained silent.

Attempting to defend his bombing monologue to the now silent room, Koy passed the buck to other writers. “Some I wrote, some other people wrote,” he explained. “Yo, I got the gig ten days ago! You want a perfect monologue? Yo, shut up! You’re kidding me, right? Slow down! I wrote some of these, and they’re the ones you’re laughing at.”

But his justifications failed to recover the lost audience, both in the venue and in homes worldwide. The cringeworthy jokes, particularly those targeting Gerwig’s female-focused film, left a bad taste that Koy couldn’t redeem.

Comedian Jo Koy speaks about his upcoming movie
Golden Globes host Jo Koy's 'Barbie' punchlines met with awkward silences. (Getty Images)

Internet reacts with disappointment to Comedian and host Jo Koy's 'Barbie' jokes

Online reactions to Koy's 'Barbie' jokes were scathing, reflecting widespread disappointment. One X (formerly Twitter) user lamented, "This is literally so embarrassing and uncomfortable." Another user questioned Koy's presence, asking, "Who is this nonsense guy?"



 



 

A third commenter criticized Koy's misunderstanding of the movie's essence, writing, "He missed the whole point of the movie." Adding to the outcry, another person remarked, "He literally ruined everything. He needs to go home now."



 



 

The discomfort was palpable, evident in Gosling's demeanor. "Ryan looks didn't even fake smile; he was just plain uncomfy," remarked a fifth user. Gerwig's visible reaction spoke volumes, as noted by a sixth user: "I like how Greta’s face just says 'That’s what you got from the movie?'"



 



 

Summing up the sentiment succinctly, a seventh user bluntly stated, "Zero things he said were funny."



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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