Out of all of Jo Koy’s controversial Golden Globe jokes, his comment about the Barbie movie might have offended the most fans.
While hosting the 81st Annual Golden Globes, Koy described the film as being ““based on a plastic doll with big boobies.”
The joke was widely criticised online for being patronising and dismissive, with many noting that Koy’s comment is ironically, an example of the issues the film tries to highlight.
While plenty of fans made their thoughts about the joke known, we now know what the film’s director, Greta Gerwig thinks.
In an interview with BBC Radio’s Today, Gerwig was asked about Joy’s comment and she gave a thoughtful response.
“Well, he’s not wrong,” Gerwig said, “She’s the first doll that was mass-produced with breasts, so he was right on.”
“And you know, I think that so much of the project, of the movie was unlikely because it is about a plastic doll.”
Gerwig also then reflected on the role of the Barbie doll.
“Barbie, by her very construction, has no character, no story,” she said. “She’s there to be projected upon.”
“Barbie’s been around since 1959,” she added.
“She’s been a villain, and she’s been a hero, but it felt like, in a way, even though it’s so seemingly superficial, that it was such a rich place to start.”
Gerwig explained that she wasn’t upset by the joke and instead, was more interested in the reactions it produced.
“What’s sort of amazing about it is it has inspired such a wide range of reactions,” she explained.
“And in some ways, it’s not surprising. Barbie has always been sometimes ahead of culture, sometimes behind culture and she’s always been a flashpoint for arguments.”
No one could have said it better.
