American comedian Jo Koy took the stage as the opening monologue at the 81st Golden Globes, delivering a punchline that left the audience in awkward silence. Koy's reductive, sexist joke targeted the groundbreaking film Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig.
He said, “Oppenheimer is based on a 721-page, Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project…and Barbie is based on a plastic doll with big boobies.”
Greta Gerwig's Silence Speaks Volumes
As Koy's derogatory remarks echoed through the venue, the camera captured Greta Gerwig's stoic response. Instead of reacting with anger or defiance, Gerwig simply nodded. She did not ask him to keep Barbie’s ‘name out of his fucking mouth’. A glance was enough; in that moment, she knew that this was exactly why she made Barbie. Even after breaking billion-dollar records that have been made and upheld by male institutions, she is nothing but a girl. This precisely highlights the very point Barbie was trying to make.
Despite reaching the pinnacle of success, being the best in your craft, and breaking records upheld against you by patriarchy, you are still seen as nothing more than a girl. Or, as Jo Koy crudely puts it, a ‘plastic doll with big boobies.’
Again, It’s Not JUST a Joke. Do Better.
Koy's comments not only undermined the cinematic and cultural achievements of Barbie but also reflected a broader issue within the industry. In a space meant to celebrate the art of filmmaking, Koy deliberately elevated a male-centric narrative while dismissing the accomplishments of a female-driven project that defied all expectations. The crux of Koy's misguided humour lies in his attempt to belittle a film that not only broke box office records but also shattered stereotypes associated with women in cinema. Barbie wasn't just another movie; it was a cultural landmark challenging misogynistic ideals and highlighting the struggles everyone face in a patriarchal society. P.S. It's not really comedy when you are telling us the same things we have been told all our lives.
A Summer Of Women
The summer of Barbie, Beyonce, and Taylor Swift symbolised a powerful shift in the narrative surrounding women in society and the entertainment industry. It became a season where women collectively decided to let go of societal expectations, shedding the layers of conditioning imposed by a patriarchal society. It marked a moment of self-discovery, where women began to un-brainwash themselves from the limiting beliefs that had been ingrained for so long. However, men must embark on a similar journey of unlearning patriarchal values.
If only there were a movie about a relatable male unlearning patriarchy and going on a journey to feel enough… Right? There already is one.
While the comment made by Jo Koy may have initially seemed embarrassing for women, it is a more profound embarrassment for men as a whole. The past year has witnessed remarkable achievements by women, shattering records and defying societal expectations. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder that it is not only women who need to navigate the path of progress; men, too, must embark on a journey of unlearning ingrained norms.
Even in the realm of celebrated cinema, there is a long road ahead in dismantling this. The need for continued efforts to challenge such attitudes, both in humour and in the portrayal of success, is evident.
Views expressed by the author are their own
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What Does Stoic Silence On Jo Koy's Barbie 'Jokes' Say: Men, Do Better
American comedian Jo Koy took the stage as the opening monologue at the 81st Golden Globes, delivering a punchline that left the audience in awkward silence. Koy's reductive, sexist joke targeted the groundbreaking film Barbie by Greta Gerwig.
Image Credits: Inside the Magic
American comedian Jo Koy took the stage as the opening monologue at the 81st Golden Globes, delivering a punchline that left the audience in awkward silence. Koy's reductive, sexist joke targeted the groundbreaking film Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig.
He said, “Oppenheimer is based on a 721-page, Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project…and Barbie is based on a plastic doll with big boobies.”
Greta Gerwig's Silence Speaks Volumes
As Koy's derogatory remarks echoed through the venue, the camera captured Greta Gerwig's stoic response. Instead of reacting with anger or defiance, Gerwig simply nodded. She did not ask him to keep Barbie’s ‘name out of his fucking mouth’. A glance was enough; in that moment, she knew that this was exactly why she made Barbie. Even after breaking billion-dollar records that have been made and upheld by male institutions, she is nothing but a girl. This precisely highlights the very point Barbie was trying to make.
Again, It’s Not JUST a Joke. Do Better.
Koy's comments not only undermined the cinematic and cultural achievements of Barbie but also reflected a broader issue within the industry. In a space meant to celebrate the art of filmmaking, Koy deliberately elevated a male-centric narrative while dismissing the accomplishments of a female-driven project that defied all expectations. The crux of Koy's misguided humour lies in his attempt to belittle a film that not only broke box office records but also shattered stereotypes associated with women in cinema. Barbie wasn't just another movie; it was a cultural landmark challenging misogynistic ideals and highlighting the struggles everyone face in a patriarchal society. P.S. It's not really comedy when you are telling us the same things we have been told all our lives.
A Summer Of Women
The summer of Barbie, Beyonce, and Taylor Swift symbolised a powerful shift in the narrative surrounding women in society and the entertainment industry. It became a season where women collectively decided to let go of societal expectations, shedding the layers of conditioning imposed by a patriarchal society. It marked a moment of self-discovery, where women began to un-brainwash themselves from the limiting beliefs that had been ingrained for so long. However, men must embark on a similar journey of unlearning patriarchal values.
If only there were a movie about a relatable male unlearning patriarchy and going on a journey to feel enough… Right? There already is one.
While the comment made by Jo Koy may have initially seemed embarrassing for women, it is a more profound embarrassment for men as a whole. The past year has witnessed remarkable achievements by women, shattering records and defying societal expectations. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder that it is not only women who need to navigate the path of progress; men, too, must embark on a journey of unlearning ingrained norms.
Even in the realm of celebrated cinema, there is a long road ahead in dismantling this. The need for continued efforts to challenge such attitudes, both in humour and in the portrayal of success, is evident.
Views expressed by the author are their own