Who is Jerrod Carmichael, the host of the 2023 Golden Globes?

The comedian Jerrod Carmichael has been selected by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) to host the 80th Golden Globes, which will take place on Tuesday, January 10.

In addition to his work as a standup, Carmichael has served as a writer, producer, and actor and even created his TV program, The Carmichael Show, which aired from 2015 to 2017.

However, it was his most recent standup special, Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel, that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award. The special stands in stark contrast to those he released earlier, which were much more planned and impersonal, the only binding feature between the two being Carmichael’s gifts for vulnerability and comedy. Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel is where we see a wall come down between the performer and the person. There was a glimpse into his unknown, the parts of his life that feel bad because of guilt, or resentment, or trauma. The show reminds us that we cannot always be loved the way we want, but that doesn’t make the pain of feeling unseen, unaccepted, and unloved hurt less. Carmichael encourages the viewer to think about their own vulnerability, to name it, and to accept the weakness it carries while also holding that living honestly with yourself is the only way to live freely.

A year prior, in 2021, he directed his first film, On the Count of Three, which earned him the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the Sundance Film Festival. He has also acted as an executive producer on Ramy, a show created by fellow comedian Ramy Youssef.

Carmichael speaks about receiving the call to host

In an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Carmichael spoke about his excitement when he received the call asking him to host the 80th Golden Globes. However, the comedian also joked that after realizing that he would need to work with NBC’s marketing team, the eagerness began to dissipate.

How much animous the actor shares for the marketing team remains unclear, but what has become evident is that Carmichael’s creative vision has made its way into the advertisements for the award ceremony. Carmichael did not want to avoid the topic of race. The HFPA, the group hosting the awards, came under harsh scrutiny last year after it became public that the organization had no Black members.

“My biggest fear is what will Black people think of me because Black acceptance means everything to me,” Carmichael said, opening one of the promos. While it is clear that these ads are meant to lighten what became a very controversial scandal within Hollywood, Carmichael’s vision and authenticity shine through.

Carmichael is sure to make the show his own, within the parameters that NBC and the HFPA will allow...

How can I watch the Golden Globes?

The ceremony will be carried live on NBC or can be streamed through the network’s streaming platform, Peacock. The festivities will begin at 5 PM PT/8 PM ET on Tuesday.