Ben Shapiro Really Wants a Golden Globe. Does He Stand a Chance?

"It's not every day a political podcast takes over Times Square's coveted digital billboards. So it goes with The Ben Shapiro Show, which, as media reporter Oliver Darcy documented in his Status newsletter last week, swarmed the heart of Manhattan with ads featuring the Daily Wire co-founder in a clean-cut jacket and shades, looking down at the pedestrians and tourists below. Shapiro is just one of several right-wingpodcast hosts among the 25 eligible contenders for the Golden Globes' inaugural Best Podcast Award"

"This isn't the Daily Wire's first run at Hollywood recognition. Last year, Matt Walsh, another commentator within the Daily Wire universe, made an Oscars push for his liberal-provoking documentary Am I Racist?, which was 2024's highest-grossing doc. The attempt went nowhere, and Deadline, which featured the film in its "Contenders Documentary" awards-season showcase series, soothingly framed the failure around the doc branch's supposed aversion to titles with "overt takes" on American politics."

"Shapiro's campaign, by contrast, seems sincere, underscored by his genial participation in The Hollywood Reporter's first "Podcaster Roundtable" and his FYC campaign's core argument of " setting politics aside for one night." "We will never forego the opportunity to plant a flag in the heart of the cultural debate," Shapirotold Vulture in a short statement. While his bid may seem quixotic, the Golden Globes have always been the sweatier cousin to the Oscars and the Emmys, prone to oddball choices and messiness."

Ben Shapiro executed a high-profile Times Square advertising push promoting The Ben Shapiro Show as part of a For Your Consideration campaign for the Golden Globes' inaugural Best Podcast Award. The campaign featured images of the Daily Wire co-founder and positioned him among 25 eligible contenders, appearing to be the only conservative host mounting a clear awards effort. The Daily Wire previously pursued Hollywood recognition with Matt Walsh's documentary Am I Racist?, which failed to advance despite box office success. Shapiro's effort appears earnest, emphasizing setting politics aside and appealing to industry voters, with the Globes' history of surprising choices offering some plausibility.

Read at Vulture