In a glittering prelude to the upcoming Golden Globes ceremony, organizers have unveiled details for a new primetime special celebrating this year's honorary award recipients, Helen Mirren and Sarah Jessica Parker. Titled Golden Eve: The Golden Globes Honor Helen Mirren & Sarah Jessica Parker, the event is set to air on January 8 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, with simultaneous streaming available on Paramount+. According to Deadline, the special promises a star-studded lineup of presenters and guests, highlighting the illustrious careers of the two icons in film and television.
Helen Mirren, the acclaimed British actress known for her roles in films like The Queen and the television series Prime Suspect, will receive the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award during the special. This honor, first established in 1952 to commemorate the legendary director Cecil B. DeMille, has been awarded to 69 distinguished figures over the decades, including Barbra Streisand, Oprah Winfrey, Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, and Walt Disney. Harrison Ford, the iconic star of Indiana Jones and Star Wars, is slated to present the award to Mirren, adding a touch of Hollywood royalty to the proceedings. A guest appearance by Viola Davis, last year's Cecil B. DeMille honoree, will further underscore the award's legacy of recognizing lifetime achievements in entertainment.
Sarah Jessica Parker, beloved for her portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, will be honored with the Carol Burnett Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to television both on and off the screen. Introduced in 2019 and named after the comedy legend herself, the award has previously gone to recipients such as Ellen DeGeneres, Norman Lear, and Ryan Murphy. Ted Danson, the previous year's winner and star of Cheers and The Good Place, will join Parker for the presentation, bringing a sense of camaraderie to the celebration. Parker, whose career spans Broadway, film, and television, including recent projects like And Just Like That..., represents the multifaceted impact of performers in the medium.
The special's attendee list reads like a who's who of contemporary entertainment. Colman Domingo, the versatile actor from Rustin and Euphoria, is confirmed to be present, alongside Kristin Davis, Parker's longtime co-star from Sex and the City. Vin Diesel, known for the Fast & Furious franchise, and Tessa Thompson, star of Creed and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will also make appearances. Rounding out the notable guests is Carol Burnett herself, the eponymous figure behind the award, whose pioneering work in sketch comedy and variety shows has influenced generations of television creators.
This new special marks a fresh initiative by the Golden Globes to spotlight honorary awards outside the main ceremony, allowing for deeper tributes to the recipients' legacies. Deadline reports that the event is designed to build anticipation for the 83rd annual Golden Globes, scheduled for Sunday, January 11, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, who is returning for her second consecutive year, the primary awards show will celebrate excellence in film, television, and now podcasting—a recent expansion reflecting the evolving media landscape.
Behind the scenes, the production of both the special and the main ceremony is helmed by the multi-Emmy Award-winning duo of Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner from White Cherry Entertainment, who are returning as executive producing showrunners. Dick Clark Productions, long associated with the Golden Globes, will oversee planning, hosting, and production for the events. This continuity in leadership ensures a polished broadcast that blends glamour with substantive recognition of artistic achievements.
The Cecil B. DeMille Award, in particular, carries significant historical weight within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's (HFPA) tradition—now under the stewardship of Eldridge Industries and Dick Clark Productions following reforms in recent years. Past honorees like Jack Warner, the co-founder of Warner Bros., and Sidney Poitier, the trailblazing actor who broke racial barriers in cinema, illustrate the award's role in honoring not just performers but also visionaries who shaped the industry. Mirren's selection continues this pattern, acknowledging her decades-spanning career that includes an Academy Award for The Queen, multiple Emmys, and a commanding presence in theater.
Similarly, the Carol Burnett Award emphasizes television's enduring influence. Burnett, who received the inaugural honor in 2019, revolutionized the format with her variety show that ran for 11 seasons, blending music, comedy, and guest stars in innovative ways. Subsequent winners like Norman Lear, the creator of groundbreaking sitcoms such as All in the Family, and Ryan Murphy, whose anthology series like American Horror Story have redefined prestige TV, highlight the award's focus on innovators. Parker's receipt of the award aligns with her contributions to culturally resonant storytelling, from the fashion-forward narratives of Sex and the City to her producing efforts in modern reboots.
Attendees like Vin Diesel and Tessa Thompson bring diverse perspectives to the event. Diesel, whose action-packed blockbusters have grossed billions worldwide, represents the global reach of cinema, while Thompson's roles in both independent films and superhero epics showcase the breadth of contemporary acting. Colman Domingo's presence adds a layer of advocacy, as the actor has been vocal about representation in Hollywood. Kristin Davis, reuniting with Parker, evokes nostalgia for the Sex and the City era, which not only entertained but also sparked conversations about women's lives in urban America.
The timing of Golden Eve just days before the main Golden Globes underscores its role as a warm-up act, potentially drawing viewers into the awards season frenzy. With the main ceremony expanding to include podcast categories, the Globes are adapting to digital shifts, where audio content has surged in popularity. Nominees for the 83rd awards, as listed on the official Golden Globes site, span blockbusters like Oppenheimer and intimate dramas, alongside TV heavyweights such as Succession and The Bear, though specific podcast contenders remain a point of interest.
Viola Davis's guest spot, as last year's honoree, bridges past and present celebrations. Davis, who received the Cecil B. DeMille in 2023, used her acceptance to discuss perseverance in the industry, stating in prior interviews, "This award is not just for me, but for every Black woman who has ever been told her story doesn't matter." Her appearance could similarly inspire reflections on Mirren's trailblazing path as a female actor in male-dominated fields.
Ted Danson's involvement with Parker's tribute adds a layer of television history. Danson, honored with the Carol Burnett Award in 2023 for his versatile career, has spoken about the award's significance, noting in a past statement, "It's a nod to the characters we've brought to life and the laughs we've shared with audiences." His presence alongside Parker may highlight the collaborative spirit of TV ensembles.
Carol Burnett's attendance is particularly poignant, given the award's namesake. At 90 years old, Burnett remains an active figure, recently appearing in specials and documentaries. Her participation ensures the event honors the roots of television comedy while looking forward to new talents like Domingo and Thompson.
As awards season ramps up, this special positions the Golden Globes as a multifaceted platform, extending beyond statuette handoffs to in-depth appreciations. With streaming options on Paramount+, accessibility is broadened, potentially attracting younger viewers accustomed to on-demand content. The inclusion of podcasting in the main show signals further evolution, responding to industry trends where platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts rival traditional TV.
Looking ahead, the January 11 ceremony will cap off a busy week for Hollywood, with Mirren and Parker's honors setting a tone of reverence amid the competition. While the special focuses on lifetime achievements, the main event's nominees—ranging from emerging stars to veterans—promise a comprehensive snapshot of 2025's creative output. Organizers anticipate high viewership, building on last year's rebound post-reforms, and viewers can expect the blend of humor, heartfelt speeches, and celebrity glamour that defines the Globes.
In total, Golden Eve not only celebrates two extraordinary women but also reaffirms the Golden Globes' commitment to storytelling across mediums. As Mirren and Parker prepare to accept their accolades, the entertainment world watches, reminded of the enduring power of performance to captivate and inspire.