While Hollywood's elite celebrated on stage at the 81st Golden Globe Awards, a minor emergency unfolded just feet away in the press room at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. The incident, coupled with a controversial programming decision, shifted some attention away from the glitz and glamour of the evening.
Backstage Blaze Quickly Contained
According to footage and reports from journalist Chris Gardner on X (formerly Twitter), a small fire broke out backstage. The cause was identified as a member of the catering team accidentally knocking over a lit 'sterno' – a canned fuel used to keep food warm.
Gardner described how the carpet was alight 'for a brief moment' as smoke began to curl around the edges of the room. Fortunately, the situation was brought under control almost immediately. The fire was 'put out quickly' and no injuries were reported, allowing the ceremony to continue without major disruption.
Best Score Award Snubbed During Broadcast
Perhaps more incendiary than the backstage fire was the show's decision to announce the winner of the Best Score for a Motion Picture category during a commercial break. While award shows often pre-record or omit some categories due to time constraints, this particular choice provoked significant anger among viewers.
A clip of composer Ludwig Göransson accepting the award for his work on 'Oppenheimer' was shared on X, where it rapidly gained traction. The post's caption, 'The Golden Globes just presented Best Score during the commercial break,' ignited a wave of criticism from fans and industry observers alike.
Social Media Erupts in Protest
The online reaction was swift and severe, with many questioning the show's priorities. Viewers expressed their fury that time was found for host Nikki Glaser's musical skits and a podcast award, but not for the prestigious score category.
One user lamented, 'Thank you for sharing! I wanted to see it. Sad they didn’t broadcast it.' Another pointedly asked, 'They had time for a song, a podcast award and a stand up one, yet not for score?' The sentiment of disrespect towards the artists was a common theme, with one comment reading, 'The amount of disrespect for the artists who poured their blood, sweat and tears is unfathomable.'
The controversy overshadowed other moments from the night, including host Nikki Glaser's opening monologue, which took sharp aim at topics ranging from the Epstein files to Leonardo DiCaprio's dating history. Ultimately, the evening will be remembered not just for its winners, but for the unexpected drama both behind the curtain and in the broadcast booth.
