Awards season has a way of turning the internet into a fact-checking machine — and this year, it once again had its sights set on Nikki Glaser, who hosted the Golden Globes and, yes, is still not Jewish. But while the internet was busy double-checking that, Jewish creators quietly dominated the night, from major wins to speeches and even one stage hijacking.
Noah Wyle
The night’s first real signal came early when Noah Wyle won best performance by a male actor in a television drama for “The Pitt.” On the HBO medical drama, Wyle plays Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, a Jewish emergency room physician whose identity is part of the character, not a footnote. The show doesn’t soften or sidestep that fact, and neither does the performance. Jewish St. Louis ER doctors have praised The Pitt for its realism and emotional accuracy, which only sharpened the impact of Wyle’s win.
Seth Rogen
Seth Rogen picked up his first Golden Globe, winning best performance by a male actor in a television series, musical or comedy for “The Studio.” The award capped a banner year for Rogen, who earlier broke through at the Emmys when “The Studio” swept the comedy categories. The show is unapologetically Jewish, in its humor, its neuroses and its view of Hollywood. After decades as one of the industry’s most influential comedic voices. In my opinion, after decades in the business, Rogen didn’t win by reinventing himself. He won by leaning into what’s always worked.
Mark Sonnenblick
The Jewish presence extended into the music categories when Mark Sonnenblick was among a group of songwriters who won best original song for motion picture for “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters.” Sonnenblick’s résumé already includes deeply Jewish work, including writing songs for “Saturday Night Seder,” the star-studded pandemic-era fundraiser that raised millions for COVID relief.
Fran Drescher stops the show — briefly
Midway through the night, Fran Drescher did what only Fran Drescher can do: she interrupted the host. As Nikki Glaser launched into a musical spoof mashing up “Marty Supreme” with the “KPop Demon Hunters” song “Golden,” Drescher cut her off, declared the singing “annoying,” and effectively reclaimed the stage. The moment landed somewhere between bit and hijack — classic Drescher — before she introduced Macaulay Culkin to present the next award.
Finishing strong
“The Studio” winning best television series, musical or comedy capped off a brilliant night. Earlier in the evening, Seth Rogen picked up his first Golden Globe for his performance on the series, turning a strong showing into a full statement. Created by Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the HBO comedy is unapologetically Jewish — anxious, self-aware, deeply uncomfortable and very funny about being Jewish in Hollywood. It doesn’t explain Jewishness or smooth it out for easy laughs. It lets it sit there, messy and unresolved. If you haven’t seen the show, do yourself a favor.
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