Harvey Levin Blasts Golden Globes After Joe Rogan Snub: “The Reason Is Obvious”

A new Golden Globes category was supposed to celebrate the booming world of podcasts—yet instead, it has ignited controversy. TMZ co-founder Harvey Levin has stepped into the center of that debate, openly criticizing the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for omitting two of the most influential podcasters in the world: Joe Rogan and Theo Von.

According to Levin, the slight is no mystery. In a fiery video statement, he argued that the Globes have once again demonstrated Hollywood’s long-standing ideological bias, particularly when it comes to personalities who lean to the political right.

Levin: “These Awards Make No Sense”

Reacting to the newly released Golden Globe nominations, Levin didn’t hold back. He dismissed the awards season as “ridiculous” and insisted that the Globes’ new podcast category proves exactly why he believes Hollywood’s major ceremonies have lost touch with the public.

“These awards are junk,” he said bluntly. “It makes absolutely no sense when you look at the new category—podcasts.”

He then questioned how a figure as dominant as Rogan could be excluded from a category that, by most measures, he helped legitimize. Rogan’s podcast remains one of the most listened-to programs in the world, consistently featuring high-profile guests and driving major cultural conversations. Yet despite that reach and influence, his name was left off the nominee list entirely.

“How Do You Not Nominate Joe Rogan?”

Levin emphasized that the logic behind Rogan’s exclusion is difficult to justify on its face. Whether listeners agree with Rogan or not, he argued, the host’s impact is undeniable.

“He is a consequential, really good podcaster,” Levin said, highlighting Rogan’s ability to explore complex topics with depth, candor, and a wide range of guests. “When you look at the breadth of what he does—the depth, the honesty—how does a guy like that not get nominated?”

Levin placed Theo Von in the same category, noting that both podcasters have massive audiences and undeniable cultural influence. Their omission, he said, “doesn’t make any sense” unless their political alignment is taken into account.

Hollywood Bias, According to Levin

Levin didn’t mince words about why he believes Rogan was overlooked.

“The answer is obvious,” he said. “He leans to the right.”

He argued that this dynamic has been part of Hollywood culture for decades. Levin pointed to patterns in other award shows, specifically the Academy Awards, where acceptance speeches with left-leaning political messages often receive loud applause while right-leaning commentary is met with silence—or outright disapproval.

“It’s just the way Hollywood works,” Levin said, adding that his opinion is shaped by years spent working in the entertainment industry.

Levin Says This Isn’t About His Politics

Anticipating critiques that he might be speaking from a partisan viewpoint, Levin clarified that he isn’t defending Rogan because he personally belongs to the political right.

In fact, he made his own political affiliation explicit: “I’m a registered Democrat,” Levin said. He emphasized that his voter registration is public record—and that he is not weighing in from a place of ideological grievance.

“It’s not like I have a dog in that fight,” he added. Instead, he positioned his critique as one rooted in fairness and consistency, not partisan loyalties.

A Debate About Merit—or Ideology?

Levin’s comments have reignited a broader conversation about ideological diversity in Hollywood and the entertainment industry’s award circuit. Critics of the Globes have long argued that the voting bodies behind major awards tend to elevate creators and performers whose viewpoints align with mainstream liberal values while marginalizing or ignoring those who fall outside that spectrum.

Supporters of the awards maintain that merit—not politics—drives nominations, but Levin’s comments reflect the frustrations of many viewers who perceive a pattern of ideological filtering.

Rogan’s supporters have pointed out that awards ceremonies have historically gravitated toward programs perceived as culturally “safe,” while his show, known for its unfiltered discussions and controversial guests, often challenges prevailing narratives.

Why Levin’s Comments Hit a Cultural Nerve

First, Rogan’s audience is massive—making him nearly impossible to ignore in a category explicitly created to honor podcasting.

Second, Levin is not a fringe critic. He is a longtime media figure, an attorney, and the founder of one of the most influential entertainment news outlets in the world. His commentary carries weight within the industry.

And finally, Levin is a Democrat openly calling out Hollywood for what he believes is ideological exclusion. That stance makes his critique stand out in a debate that is often framed as left versus right.

A Larger Conversation About Hollywood’s Award Rituals

Levin’s fiery remarks highlight a growing skepticism surrounding award shows in general. As audiences splinter and creators shift to new media formats, traditional awards ceremonies are struggling to retain relevance.

The controversy over Rogan’s omission underscores the tension between old-guard institutions and the emerging media landscape—one in which podcasting has become a dominant cultural force.

Whether the Globes will respond to the backlash remains to be seen. But Levin’s message was unmistakable:

If the Golden Globes want credibility in the podcast arena, he argues, they can’t ignore the giants of the medium—even if their viewpoints challenge Hollywood’s comfort zone.