Latest news with #Globes'
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Golden Globes' New Best Podcast Category Draws Applause — and Anxiety — From Creators and Industry
The Golden Globes are tuning into the podcast boom. In a bid to recognize a rapidly rising medium amid an even more quickly shifting media landscape, the Globes announced the addition of a best podcast of the year category at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards. The new honor marks the Globes' first major expansion since introducing the box office and cinematic achievement category in 2023 — and it's being met with a potent mix of excitement, skepticism and uncertainty from the podcasting world. More from Variety Golden Globes Add Best Podcast Category for 2026 Ceremony Golden Globes Sets 2026 Date for Ceremony on CBS and Paramount+, Hosted Again by Nikki Glaser Theo Kingma, Former HFPA President, Dies at 58 'This is what the industry needs — recognition that podcasting is storytelling,' says comedian Bert Kreischer, host of 'Bertcast' and '2 Bears, 1 Cave,' which he co-hosts with his friend Tom Segura. 'It's not just noise. It's a craft.' Craft, however, is notoriously hard to define in a medium where a 90-minute unscripted conversation can top the charts next to a tightly edited news brief or a crime docuseries. According to preliminary guidelines, six finalists will be selected from the 'top 25' list of the most popular podcasts, though exactly how that list is compiled remains unclear. 'We're dying to know how this will work,' Kreischer admits. Currently, there isn't a major ceremony that recognizes podcasts. It's a huge deal, but it also raises many questions. As of May 2025, the 'top 25' includes a wide spectrum of formats and voices: comedy favorites like The Basement Yard and Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast; journalistic mainstays such as The Daily and Up First; true crime juggernauts like Crime Junkie and Morbid; political lightning rods like The Tucker Carlson Show and The Megyn Kelly Show; culture and commentary hits such as The Joe Rogan Experience and Call Her Daddy; and celebrity-driven entries including SmartLess and Good Hang with Amy Poehler. That breadth presents a challenge: how do you compare a show where two friends debate the best Pop-Tart flavor with one that dissects the latest political crisis — or, more troublingly, with programs accused of spreading misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric? 'It's a cool idea, but it raises more questions than anything else,' says Frank Alvarez, co-host of The Basement Yard, one of the top comedy podcasts in the U.S. 'Comedy is subjective. News is structured. So, how do you judge them against each other fairly?' 'Exactly,' adds Joe Santagato, Alvarez's co-host and CEO of Santagato Studios. 'We're just two friends messing around, but for some, it's how they get through a breakup or a bad week. That's cultural impact — but it's not the same as investigative journalism.' The Globes organization says the category will honor 'cultural and creative impact,' a wide net that some fear could tilt too far in favor of celebrity-driven or politically aligned shows. With the podcast ecosystem fractured across Spotify, Apple, YouTube and independent platforms, industry insiders are urging the Globes to clarify how metrics will be weighed — downloads, listener retention, content quality or reach? 'If it's just about popularity, what's the point?' Kreischer asked. 'Just hand it to Rogan every year. And I think he deserves it. But if you really value substance and message, then it should be voted on. That's what makes it interesting.' The ideological minefield is already forming. With shows from Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly and Joe Rogan in the mix, some fear that the Globes, long criticized for their Hollywood-centric, left-leaning voting body, may face backlash no matter what direction the nominations take. 'If this whole list ends up being just left-leaning podcasts, this will be the last year they have this award,' Kreischer warns. 'You've got to be fair about it. If Megyn Kelly is killing it, she deserves to be up there. Same goes for SmartLess, Call Her Daddy or My Favorite Murder. You'd better shake this up. Because podcasts are everywhere, and they go so far.' That concern is echoed in comedy circles, where creators worry that offbeat, irreverent humor — often politically agnostic — might get overlooked. 'We're not trying to ruffle feathers,' said Alvarez. 'We're comic relief. But if it ends up being all celebrity podcasts, that confirms the bias.' For Santagato, the question isn't just politics — it's about access. 'If some A-list celebrity drops a podcast for eight months and gets nominated over a show that's been grinding for years? Yeah, that's frustrating. But it wouldn't be the first time awards were swayed by star power.' Despite the questions, most podcasters agree that the recognition is overdue. 'No one respected YouTubers or podcasters five years ago,' Santagato points out. 'Now those worlds are blending. And it's good for everyone.' Podcasts like Call Her Daddy, hosted by Alex Cooper, regularly outperform TV talk shows in both reach and influence. Yet the medium has been ignored by the world's most prominent ceremonies, such as the Emmys, Grammys and Oscars. The Golden Globes stepping in could mark a tipping point for institutional acceptance. 'There's no apples-to-apples comparison between a show with a 90-minute video interview on YouTube and a 20-minute NPR audio digest,' says a publicist who represents various creators. 'They'll need to explain their methodology clearly.' 'This is just another way to get podcasts out to the mainstream,' Kreischer says. 'They're awesome. They're like great books you listen to in your car. I learned more from three episodes I listened to about Martin Luther yesterday than in the 18+ years I was in school.' In an era when influence is measured less by Nielsen ratings and more by audience loyalty and digital virality, the new category might offer more than just a trophy. It could be a barometer for what matters in entertainment right now — and who gets to decide. After all, the Globes are voted on by more than 300 voters worldwide. An international voting body may have more unique taste and tolerance for something deemed more 'controversial' than a domestic viewer. Nonetheless, the podcasters are having fun with this idea and are looking forward to the campaign season. If Kreischer had his way, he'd present the best podcast award exactly how podcasting rose to power: lo-fi, off-the-cuff and delightfully unfiltered. 'I'd do it over Zoom,' he shares from his podcast studio in Los Angeles. 'Three squares on screen: one for the Globes, one for the audience, and one for me. And I'd open with a fucking ad read. … I'd be like, 'This category is brought to you by BetterHelp. Look around the room, we've all had rough years. Sean Penn, I see you.' Then I'd do the whole read and go right into the nominees. That's what podcasting is. It's scrappy, personal and changed people's lives.' The crowd might laugh, the advertisers might cheer and the industry might just have to figure out how to judge the uncategorizable. Variety's first projections for the new category are below. More information regarding rules and eligibility will be announced at a later date. Variety parent company PMC owns Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Prods. in a joint venture with Eldridge. Best of Variety Emmys: 'The Studio' Rises, 'Severance' Holds Steady, and a Love Song from 'Love on the Spectrum' Breaks Ground New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz
Irish Independent
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Dancers do Louth proud at World Championships
The Dublin Convention Centre was the spectacular setting for this year's competition which brought over 5,0000 dancers from top Irish dancing schools around the world to compete for a much coveted globe. Dancers from Dundalk's own Scoil Rince Móna Ní Rodaigh danced up a storm , cementing their status once again as among the most decorated Irish Dance schools in the world. Mona's 'Red Army' took the challenge in their stride and brought fve coveted world 'Globes' back to Dundalk, including three first place world titles. Success came early with Conor Garvey taking 5th place in the u12 boys and Aoibhinn O'Kane claiming 6th in the girls U12 on Palm Sunday. Saoirse Gaskin climbed to the worlds top 20 on Monday, earning herself a coveted world medal in 20th place in the girls u13. Simon Clarke took an impressive 6th place in the u18 men on Good Friday, bringing another world medal back to the school. A further 6 recall medals (meaning they placed in the top 50 in the world!) were earned by Liadan Corry u11, Caoilfhionn O'Reilly u13, Annie Henry u15, Odhran Reel u17, Ciara Brennan & Ceallach Mackin u18, many of whom reaching a personal best. Superb performances also recorded by World Qualifiers Padraig Clarke, Emily Hargadon, Aideen Quinn, Cara McClean, Tadhg Traynor, Cliona Sheridan and Ciara Brodigan. The ceili (team) competitions were of a standard unseen in previous years with teams from all over the world battling it out for those much-sought after medals. Scoil Rince Mona Ni Rodaigh brought 11 céili teams to Dublin and all came back with a medal, a feat unparalleled by any other school in the world. The Sub Minor mixed ceili u11 were crowned World Champions on Monday, followed swiftly by the Minor & Junior teams on Tuesday & Thursday respectively. The Senior Mixed Ceili were pipped to the top spot on Easter Sunday securing a 2nd place globe for the school in a fiercely contested finale to the week's dancing. In fields of up to 50 teams, all of the girls céili teams secured either World or recall medals, from 5thto 13th place. An incredible feat made possible by a huge amount of hard work, dedication & sacrifice. Renowned for their ceili dancing prowess, SR Mona Ni Rodaigh is thrilled to bring the silverward back home to Dundalk for another year 'It's no joke preparing dancers for a competition of this level' says Móna, matriarch of this family-run dancing school. 'Dancers train like Olympians for months on end and sacrifice so much to compete at this level. Their dancing is a skill like no other, a beautiful blend of artistry and athleticism, I'm so proud to see their work pay off'. Móna, who teaches alongside her daughters Ciara and Dearbhla has been teaching in Dundalk for 55 years and shows no signs of slowing down. ADVERTISEMENT 'We couldn't do this without the tremendous support of our families' she says 'they really do have the patience of saints. We work around the clock in the run up to events like the World Championships so we really do appreciate their incredible support'. Dancers were straight back to work this week as the school prepares for their next event, the Irish Nationals, which takes place in Killarney in June. Also celebrating were the Darver-based Scoil Rince CosCeol, whose dancers took home an impressive haul of three World Globes and ten gold medals. Pride of place goes to their group of dancers who won first prize in the Dance Drama competition., while Oisin Weldon was runner up in the boys 18 to 19, with Killian Ryan placing third in the boys 11 to 12 years. Their teachers Sarah and Colin Ryan described it as ' an incredible result for our school. To have these dancers from their 123s and many taking their final competitive bow this week is an amazing end for them.' They thanked all the parents for their constant support in preparing the Dance Drama , especially Stephen Carolan for the amazing music, Brendan Gillen for his words of wisdom, Margaret for all the costumes, David for the set and all our supporters throughout the week. 'Our six solo dancers were incredible. They worked so hard and gave their absolute all on the stage.' The McGee School of Irish Dance were also delighted with their results 'We are absolutely bursting with pride after an unforgettable week on the world stage where our nine incredible solo dancers and five phenomenal teams represented our school with heart, passion, and unstoppable spirit,' says Dervla McGee Pride of place went to Cathair Corley who placed 4th in the under 12 boys Their other World medal winners were Brendan Carolan,6th in the under 14 boys, Eamonn Smyth, 8th, in the under 19 boys and Jack Mulvey 9th in the under 14 boys. The school also congratulated their recallers: Layah Connolly , 34th, in the under 16, Penny Moffet , 34th, in the under 17 girls and Lily Shields also 34th in the under 18 girls. Their teams also shone against still competition, being placed 2nd in the world in the under 16 mixed team, while the under 11 sub minor girls placed17th, the under 13 girls came 22nd, the 16 girls finished 24th and the under 19 ladies placed 19th.
