Jo Koy has responded to the negative reception of his hosting of the Golden Globes, admitting that it was a “tough room.” The 52-year-old comedian, who looked visibly disheartened, went on Good Morning America to recap a night panned by several publications and roasted by online critics.
“You know, I had fun. It was a moment I’ll always remember. It’s o;a tough room,” he confessed. “It was a hard job, I’m not gonna lie. Getting that gig, and then having that amount of time to [prepare], that was a crash course.”
Jo Koy was referring to the news that he was hired two weeks before the Globes after Chris Rock and Ali Wong reportedly declined the gig, and had ten days with writers to create the monologue.
“I’m lying if I said it doesn’t hurt,” he said of the criticism. “Hosting is a tough gig, and yes, I am a standup comic, but that hosting position is a different style.”
Apart from the visible reactions of those in attendance, Jo Koy faced backlash for his jokes, which included a bit about Barbie being “a plastic doll with big boobs”, blaming the crowd and writers for the lackluster reception, and the NFL’s seeming obsession with Taylor Swift, which he admitted was a “little flat” and “weird.”
“I was trying to make fun of the NFL and the cutaways and how the Globes didn’t have to do that. So it’s more of a jab against the NFL, but it just didn’t come out that way.”
When asked if he’d accept the job if asked again, Jo Koy avoided a direct answer and reiterated the difficulties of hosting.
“That’s a tough gig. I really love the art of standup. It was cool the opportunity came. Hosting is just a different beast.”
