Golden Globes cut MM Keeravani's RRR speech and it is high time they stopped the interruptions

The Golden Globes are back and keeping up with age-old award show traditions, so are the infamous speech interruptions.

The 80th annual Golden Globes has finally come to a close with a fantastic list of winners and nominees across motion picture and television categories and a few painful snubs.

What really held the ceremony together however, was the mutual disdain towards the irritating speech cut-offs that seemed to be in full swing at the ceremony.

For the unacquainted or for those who missed the live ceremony (it’s the Globes, so it ain’t much), to keep up with busy television schedules, winners at award shows are often interrupted in the middle of their acceptance speeches with music, as a signal for the speakers to wrap things up. 

Often more than not, the music begins unreasonably prematurely and increases in volume up until the winner’s speeches are drowned out altogether. 

Case in point is the Golden Globe for Best Original Song this year, RRR’s MM Keeravani during his acceptance speech this year, with the interrupting music completely overwhelming and throwing off Keeravani in his moment on stage.

In similar fashion, the cast and crew of Argentina, 1985 - Golden Globe winners for Best Foreign Film this year - were essentially forced off stage in between their acceptance speech.

Later, while accepting his Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for The Banshees of Inisherin, Colin Farrell took a shot at the interrupting musical notes saying, “You can forget that piano” before carrying on with his speech.

It wasn’t until Everything Everywhere All At Once star Michelle Yeoh got on stage to collect her Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy that the interrupting music got what was coming for them,

This disrespectful practice of interruptions, although deemed necessary by the studios, undermines the hard work and dedication of the individuals being honored. They are often done in the name of staying on schedule, but they are short-sighted and do not take into account the importance of the moment for the award recipients.

When an individual wins an award, it is a recognition of their achievements and contributions to their field. They have likely worked for many years to get to this point, and the award is a validation of that effort. Acceptance speeches are an opportunity for the recipient to express their gratitude, share their thoughts, and give a glimpse into their creative process.

This moment is not just about the individual, it's also a celebration of the field, the art, the craft, and the community. The idea of interrupting the moment where the winner is trying to share their excitement, gratitude and all the feelings that are running through their head is extremely disrespectful and sends a message that their moment and hard work isn’t valued.

These interruptions in a sense also send a message to the audiences that the show is more important than the individuals being honoured. It suggests that the producers of the show and the network consider time constraints more important than allowing the recipients to have their moment in the spotlight; a practice which is downright rude. 

To avoid interrupting acceptance speeches and show respect for the performers and the audience, award show producers should use a more strategic approach to time management. We can only hope that other ceremonies take note for the remainder of this year's award season to come.

But let’s also take a moment to recognise the pianist behind the ceremony’s entertainment this year - Chloe Flower.

The Royal Academy of Music pianist was a remarkable performer at the ceremony; having serenaded the seated audience and those at home with beautiful renditions of popular film music - from Under The Sea (The Little Mermaid) to Tubular Bells (The Exorcist).

Flower should go home proud knowing not knowing that she got to perform at the 80th annual Golden Globes, but knowing that she almost got her butt kicked by Michelle Yeoh.

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