Chris Rock, Ali Wong & Other Comedy Stars Turn Down Offer To Host Golden Globes

Comedian Chris Rock has officially declined to host the next Golden Globes, which is slated for January 7. Actress Ali Wong was also approached for the hosting gig but refused.

Rock and Wong are among other big names in film and comedy who've turned down the offer, including Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey.

The Golden Globes have officially unveiled award nominations; however, according to CNN, the organizers have yet to secure a host for the ceremony scheduled for January 7. Famous actor, comedian, and two-time Oscar host Rock has now declined the hosting gig, just like several other big names in comedy.

The "Grown Ups" star was previously offered the host position for the last Golden Globes, which he also declined. His previous appearance at a major award show was in 2022, at the Oscars Ceremony, where actor Will Smith famously slapped him for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's bald head and alopecia battle.

Rock received a nomination at the Golden Globes for the category of Best Performance in Stand-up Comedy on Television for his controversial Netflix special, "Chris Rock: Selective Outrage." Another comedic film star, Wong, has also declined the hosting gig. She scored a nomination for her performance in the hit Netflix series "Beef."

Rock and Wong are just two of multiple big names in comedy and film that have declined to host the Golden Globes. Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, and Jason Bateman, the three co-hosts of the famous "SmartLess" podcast, declined a joint offer to host the awards ceremony.

Two sources spoke to CNN about the offer, which would have been the first triple host situation of the Golden Globes since Louis Gossett Jr., Leslie Nielsen, and Jane Seymour's run in 1993. An offer was also made to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who have successfully co-hosted the Golden Globes four times.

However, Fey and Poehler have previously stated that they're not hosting the Globes ever again and seem to be sticking to it. A source said, "They would never do it again. They're done." Another source close to the host search has told CNN that the organizers are currently having "three very serious conversations" with potential hosts.

There is one possible solution for the host conundrum, which is using one of CBS' stars. The Golde Globes is officially moving its broadcast from NBC to the station, which provides multiple options for comedic talent to host the three-hour-long awards ceremony.

When the Golden Globes was still under NBC, they used this method several times, going for big names in the station like Jimmy Fallon, Andy Samberg, and Seth Meyers. The Oscars have also taken the same route by announcing ABC star Jimmy Kimmel as host for the fourth time.

Regarding the many big names turning down the opportunity to host the Globes, it's actually not strange. While the gig may seem like an amazing opportunity for a new and budding comedian, many seasoned veterans would think otherwise. The gig comes with a lot of preparation and often receives heavy criticism and negative feedback.

One celebrity publicist called the hosting opportunity a "thankless job." Another high-ranking publicist who spoke about hosting award shows generally said it's truly "not worth it." They added, "There are a lot of politics. It's not easy and it's not fun anymore."

Despite not having a host for the ceremony, which is scheduled for a few weeks away, the Golden Globes preparation is in full swing, and expecting many big names in the industry. The ceremony is expected to feature attendees like Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, Margot Robbie, Cillian Murphy, Ryan Gosling, and Robert DeNiro, who will likely be nominated for their performances in several hit films.

Other big names expected for the Globes include Selena Gomez, Quinta Brunson, Meryl Streep, Emma Stone, Jennifer Aniston, and Natalie Portman.

The Golden Globes will launch the Hollywood award season and bring some life back to the industry after the Actors and Writers strikes that dampened most of 2023.