Media Madness: The guide to 2024’s award season

BY LONDON DERNIS

When the New Year’s ball dropped, some people were yelling cheers over loud music at a party, some were eating grapes under a table, but others opened up their laptops and started making their predictions for the 2024 award season. The start of 2024 is an exciting time for entertainment fans everywhere, but sometimes, the sheer number of award shows can get overwhelming. To make this easier, the biggest award shows of the new year are broken down below.

The New Year kicked off with the 81 annual Golden Globes. The Golden Globe Awards are a ceremony honoring both shows and movies, and often keys viewers into who will be receiving an Academy Award, better known as an Oscar, or winning an Emmy. This year, it took place on Sunday, Jan. 7.

The host of this year’s Golden Globes was comedian Jo Koy, who caused a widespread uproar over some of his messy jokes. Still, the night proceeded without noticeable disruption and with two new categories: Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, won by “Barbie,” and Best Performance in Standup Comedy on Television, won by Ricky Gervais. 

The next big award show of the new year was the Primetime Emmy Awards, or Emmys, streamed on Jan. 15. The original date for the event was Sept. 18, 2023, but had to be rescheduled due to the writer and actor strikes during that time. But since the eligibility period remained from June 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023, there were several outdated nominations; So while “The Bear” had just won Golden Globes for season two a week prior, it won Emmys for its first season.

“Succession” season four swept the Emmys with 27 nominations, taking home six. But the real standout of the show was Elton John’s win for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) for his “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium.” This win gave John official EGOT status, a prestigious recognition for entertainers who have an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

Taking a break from shows and movies, the next award show honors music: The Grammys. The 66 annual Grammys will take place on Sunday, Feb. 4, and for the fourth year in a row, the night will be hosted by comedian Trevor Noah. 

The Grammy nominations were announced back in Nov. and showcased SZA in the lead with nine nominations. The nomination announcement also included three new categories: Best African Music Performance, Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop Dance Recording.

Taking a break from all the Hollywood buzz, the next award show will take place in London, England on Feb. 18. The 77 annual EE British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAS) are Britain’s equivalent to the Oscars, and like the Golden Globes, are hints for who may win them.  

Of the 25 BAFTA categories, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” received nominations in over half with 13 nominations. This is followed closely behind by “Poor Things” with 11. 

The conclusion of the BAFTAS means the Oscars are right around the corner. However, one award school must take place first, and that is the Golden Raspberry Awards, better known as the Razzies. The Razzies takes place a night before the Oscars and puts a spin on the standard award shows by honoring the worst films of the year instead of the best. 

The winners of these awards aren’t typically in attendance, though Sandra Bullock embraced her Worst Actress victory in 2010 for “All About Steve” by coming on stage with a red wagon full of DVDs for the movie. The next day, Bullock woke up, went to the Oscars, and won Best Actress for “The Blind Side.”

With the Razzies done honoring the worst, the best come head-to-head on March 10 at the Oscars. This year’s Oscars will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, who previously hosted in 2017, 2018 and 2023. 

The Oscar nominees were announced on Jan. 23, and sparked major controversy over some choices, mainly concerning “Barbie.” Despite “Barbie” being one of the biggest movies of 2023, and receiving a nomination for Best Picture, it was snubbed for Best Director for Greta Gerwig and Best Leading Actress for Margot Robbie.

Though the Oscars conclude the most-anticipated awards for shows and movies, the fun isn’t over just yet; For all the musical fans out there, the Tony Awards take place on June 16. And to the media lovers with extra time on their hands, the following are other upcoming award shows to put on the calendar:  

Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards- Feb. 18

People’s Choice Awards- Feb. 18

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards- Feb. 24

Film Independent Spirit Awards- Feb. 25

Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards- Feb. 25

American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Awards- March 3

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards- March 16

Daytime Emmy Awards- June 16