Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy found himself at the center of a storm of criticism for his “horrible” and “poor” hosting stint, with viewers both in the room and at home expressing disappointment with his performance.
The backlash stemmed from his bold jabs at celebrities like Taylor Swift, Barbie, and even the writers who assisted him with his monologue.
Koy’s comedic choices didn’t sit well with A-list stars present at the awards show, with The Independent labeling his presenting as “painful” and Buzzfeed quipping that his monologue was a tribute to Oppenheimer because it was “a bomb.”
The comedian, known for his stand-up and acting, took the hosting role just 10 days before the event, acknowledging during his monologue that he hadn’t written the entire speech but claimed the jokes he had were hitting the mark with the live audience.
However, viewers at home had a different take, branding Koy as “awful” and a “lowlight of the night”, Yahoo Movies reported.
Some even took to social media, urging organizers never to invite him back.
One Twitter user shared a side-by-side comparison of stone-faced reactions from stars like Emma Stone and Helen Mirren, writing, “Never invite Jo Koy to one of these again please. So, so awful.”
Critics were quick to pounce on Koy’s jokes about Taylor Swift and Barbie, with one user dubbing him “the worst host ever.”
Another Twitter user posted clips of celebrities reacting negatively, asserting, “Jo Koy bombed so hard at the Golden Globes.”
Some even took shots at Koy’s reliance on his Filipino heritage for humor.
“Jo Koy when he can’t rely on making jokes about his Filipino heritage,” another X user said.
In response to the overwhelming criticism, Koy addressed the controversy during an appearance on ABC’s GMA3: What You Need to Know, The Guardian reported.
Defending his performance, Koy acknowledged the tough nature of the hosting gig and the challenges of putting together a monologue in just 10 days.
“I had fun,” he said, adding: “You know, it was a moment that I’ll always remember. It’s a tough room. It was a hard job, I’m not going to lie … I’d be lying if [I said] it doesn’t hurt … Hosting is just a tough gig. Yes, I’m a standup comic but that hosting position it’s a different style. I kind of went in and did the writers’ thing. We had 10 days to write this monologue. It was a crash course. I feel bad, but I got to still say I loved what I did.”
Despite the negative feedback, Koy expressed that he loved what he did, maintaining that hosting is a different style compared to stand-up comedy.
Koy’s jokes during the show ranged from comments on Barry Keoghan’s on-screen nudity to playful jabs at Taylor Swift’s prominence on camera.
When asked about the Taylor Swift joke, Koy admitted it fell flat, clarifying that it was intended as a jab toward the NFL’s extensive cutaways, not a direct critique of the pop star.
He admitted, “I think it was when the Taylor [Swift] one was just a little flat … It was a weird joke, I guess. But it was more on the NFL … I was trying to make fun of the NFL using cutaways and how the Globes didn’t have to do that. So it was more of a jab toward the NFL. But it just didn’t come out that way.”
Amid the widespread criticism, cohosts of The View came to Jo Koy’s defense.
Whoopi Goldberg, a seasoned host herself, emphasized the brutal nature of hosting gigs, acknowledging that it’s a hit or miss experience, EW reported.
Sara Haines also chimed in, expressing her support for Koy and urging a sense of humor, asserting that comedians like Jo Koy are vital national treasures that need protection.
In the aftermath of the Golden Globes, Jo Koy remains proud of his performance, acknowledging it as an “off night” where he “fell a little short.”
The Daily Netizen 