A Night of Roaring Applause and Standing Ovation
On Friday night, at the Stifel Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri, comedian Jo Koy took the stage and received an overwhelming response from the audience. According to Variety, the crowd’s reaction included roaring applause and a standing ovation. Koy expressed his gratitude, saying, “This big hug that you gave me is all I need, swear to god. F—— whirlwind, goddamn.”
A Whirlwind of Controversy
Referring to the Golden Globes audience, Koy humorously described them as “lot a marshmallows.” While he acknowledged the changes happening in society, he also emphasized the importance of laughter and not taking ourselves too seriously. Koy’s remarks were met with applause, with one person in attendance even shouting, “F— ‘em!”
Speaking His Mind
During his set, Koy cleverly avoided directly naming the Golden Globes, but alluded to the award show and the controversy over his hosting performance several times. He joked about the weather in Hollywood and expressed his joy at being able to speak his mind freely in the United States. Koy touched on various topics, including cultural sensitivity, and engaged with the audience in a lighthearted guessing game about ethnicity.
The Importance of Taking Risks
Throughout his performance, Koy emphasized the significance of taking risks and bouncing back from failure. He encouraged the audience to embrace failure as a learning opportunity and to keep getting back up. “F— up. Risk. Take a risk. Without any risk, you’re never gonna know if anything’s possible. I’m back, motherf——. Take that risk,” he declared, receiving applause from the crowd.
Gratitude and Reflection
At the end of his set, Koy expressed his gratitude to the supportive crowd, emphasizing the therapeutic nature of performing for them. He thanked them wholeheartedly, saying, “This has been a fun show, you guys. I needed it. This is therapy. You guys, I love you. Thank you so much.”
Addressing the Controversy
During an appearance on ABC’s “GMA3: What You Need to Know,” Koy addressed the backlash he faced following the Golden Globes. He admitted that hosting the show was a tough gig and acknowledged the criticism he received. However, Koy stated that he had fun and loved what he did, despite the challenges. He also explained a joke he made about Taylor Swift, admitting that it came out differently than intended.
Comedian Support
Several fellow comedians, including and Michael Che, have come to Koy’s defense amid the backlash. They warned against the difficulties of hosting award shows and expressed solidarity with Koy.