Sexual misconduct takes center stage during Golden Globes opening monologue

During the opening monologue of the 75th Golden Globe Awards, host Seth Meyers addressed the growing unrest in Hollywood after a year riddled with stories of sexual assault and harassment, as well as claims of gender inequality.

Meyers pointed out how this is the first time men in Hollywood have had to panic whenever hearing their names said out loud. He joked, “Did you hear about Willem Dafoe?” And after a pause he said, “He was nominated.” This drew quite a look from Dafoe, who was in the audience.

Meyers joked about embattled producer Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by numerous women. Weinstein was not in attendance, but Meyers said, “Don’t worry, he’ll be back in 20 years when he becomes the first person ever booed during the In Memoriam,” drawing some groans from the audience, who thought the joke may have been a little bit in poor taste.

Meyers also took a shot at shunned actor Kevin Spacey. Meyers suggested that Spacey’s replacement in All the Money in the World, Christopher Plummer, also replace Spacey in the Netflix series House of Cards. Meyer’s joked, “I hope he can do a Southern accent because Kevin Spacey sure couldn’t.”

And while the topics of sexual harassment and gender inequality are serious, Meyers did his best to lighten the mood. And to deliver the punch line to some of those jokes, Meyers even enlisted the help of some stars in the room, like Jessica Chastain.

Meyers set Chastain up, saying, “The Golden Globes are 75 this year…” And Chastain replied, “But the actress that plays its wife is still only 32.”

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