This year’s Golden Globes are all about empowering women who have suffered sexual misconduct, but in his opening monologue, Seth Meyers took a moment to joke about Hollywood’s terrified men.
Meyers alluded to the many men whose careers have been destroyed by revelations and accusations that they had harassed or abused Hollywood women.
“Good evening ladies and remaining gentlemen,” he said pointedly to begin the broadcast. “I’m Seth Meyers and I’ll be your host tonight. It’s 2018, marijuana is finally allowed and sexual harassment finally isn’t.”
He added that it’s been years since a white man has been this nervous in Hollywood, and said that for the male nominees in the audience, it’s the first time in months that “it won’t be terrifying to hear your name read out loud.”
Meyers also mentioned disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein: “Time to address the elephant not in the room: Harvey Weinstein isn’t in the room … he’ll be back in 20 years when he’s the first person booed in the in memoriam,” prompting a ripple of uncomfortable laughter.
He added, “They tried to get a woman to host this show, they really did. They said ‘hey, how would you like to come and be judged by some of the most powerful people in Hollywood?’ And the women were like ‘hmm, well where is it?’ And they said, ‘it’s at a hotel.’ And long story short, I’m your host tonight.”
Golden Globes attendees wore black to protest sexual assault, abuse and harassment in Hollywood, and to support those who have spoken out about these issues. This comes after heavyweights like Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Dustin Hoffman, Louis C.K., Morgan Spurlock, and many more of have been accused of sexual misconduct.