How Do The Golden Globes & Oscars Compare?

The Golden Globe nominees will be announced on December 10, so that all of us may tweet and write think pieces on snubs and excitements. There might also be a few (there always are) who turn up their nose, believing that Globes are less important than Oscars (whose nominations will not be announced until January). There are lots of reasons why people might feel that the Academy Awards are more important honors than the Golden Globes; as opposed to the swanky, lofty Oscars, the Golden Globes have faced many scandals, have a more informal vibe, and are often presented by pretty boozy celebrities. (You know, because of the drinking that occurs backstage and out in the audience.)

But it's not like the Academy Awards are perfect just because they're a little bit fancier. What's the difference between these award shows anyway, and how important is any award show? It turns out there are some key differences between the Oscars and the Globes in the nomination process, the award show, and the cultural cache. Here are some of the major differences and similarities between the Oscars and the Golden Globes to prepare you for Thursday's announcement, as well as help you determine whether or not you should care.

Membership

There are major differences in the way the two award shows decide their nominees and victors. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which votes at the Oscars, comprises of around 6,000 members, most of whom are important, and often well known, figures in the entertainment world. The Globes, on the other hand, are decided by the much smaller Hollywood Foreign Press Association, whose members you probably don't know. The Oscars thus have a more relevant and influential group of voters, while the Globes have a more select pool.

Types of Nominees

One of the major differences between the Oscars and the Globes is that the Oscars are restricted to movies, while the Globes honor movies and television. In addition, the Globes have a musical/comedy category, which fixes the problem that the Oscars often have in that they don't honor great comedy.

The Ceremony

This is probably the difference you are most aware of. While the Oscars are a stuffy, formal red carpet affair, the Globes have more of a party atmosphere — which is great, because you get to watch celebrities eat and listen to their tipsy speeches.

Clout

Golden Globes are often seen as a bit of a joke, a cultural punchline, while the value of an Oscar is undeniable. Getting a Golden Globe is an honor to many people, but the Oscars are seen as the real deal, and a goal for many entertainers.

So, basically what I'm saying is you should definitely obsess over both shows, because they're both extremely important to pop culture in completely different ways. Sorry.