The Golden Globes created a brand new tradition in 2026. CBS and Dick Clark Productions launched Golden Eve to honor Hollywood legends properly. This special gives lifetime achievement awards the recognition they deserve.
Golden Eve airs Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET on CBS. The show celebrates Dame Helen Mirren and Sarah Jessica Parker for their incredible careers. Both women shaped entertainment through decades of excellent work.
What is the Golden Eve Awards?
Golden Eve is a new primetime special dedicated to lifetime achievement awards. The concept started in 2025 with the Golden Gala. That event was private and not televised. The success convinced CBS to create this public special.
Traditional awards shows have a problem. Lifetime achievement winners get about two minutes on stage. The orchestra plays them off. They rush through thank-yous. These legends deserve better treatment.
Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions, explained it simply: “This is a chance to properly honor those who have so profoundly shaped our culture with more than a two-minute awards moment.”
Golden Eve solves this problem. The entire broadcast focuses on just two people. Each honoree gets substantial time and genuine attention. Viewers learn their stories through career clips and personal interviews.
The special airs three days before the 83rd Annual Golden Globes. It kicks off Golden Week, a new week-long experience across Paramount platforms with celebratory events running January 8-11. This makes the Golden Globes feel like a multi-day event rather than one night.
About the Golden Eve Awards
Golden Eve honors two prestigious awards from the Golden Globes.
The Cecil B. DeMille Award recognizes outstanding contributions to entertainment. Created in 1952, this award focuses primarily on film achievements. The award is named after legendary filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille. Since 1952, it has honored 69 entertainment icons. Recipients include Walt Disney, Audrey Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, and Oprah Winfrey.
The Carol Burnett Award honors television excellence. Created in 2019, the award is named after comedy legend Carol Burnett. Only five people received it before Sarah Jessica Parker. Past winners include Ellen DeGeneres, Norman Lear, Ryan Murphy, and Ted Danson.
Both awards celebrate entire careers rather than single performances. Recipients are chosen for their lasting impact on entertainment and culture.
2026 Golden Eve Honorees
Two entertainment legends receive honors at Golden Eve 2026.
Dame Helen Mirren: Cecil B. DeMille Award
Helen Mirren stands among the most respected actors in the world. She has worked for six decades across film, television, and theater.
Mirren won the Academy Award for Best Actress for “The Queen” in 2007. She also earned three Golden Globes, five Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award. Queen Elizabeth II named her a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2003.
Her career shows remarkable range. She played Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen” with regal authority. She portrayed a tough detective in “Prime Suspect” for seven seasons. She became an action hero in the “Red” film series. She brings depth to every character.
Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globes, stated: “Helen Mirren is a force of nature and her career is nothing short of extraordinary. Her transcendent performances and commitment to her craft continue to inspire generations of artists and audiences alike.”
Mirren earns this award for six decades of excellence, versatility across all performance mediums, and influence on generations of actors. She proves that talent transcends age and continues to deliver powerful performances.
Sarah Jessica Parker: Carol Burnett Award
Sarah Jessica Parker transformed television in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Her portrayal of Carrie Bradshaw in “Sex and the City” changed how TV portrayed women and friendship.
Parker won six Golden Globe Awards, all for “Sex and the City.” She won four times for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004). She won twice as Executive Producer for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy (2001, 2002). This level of Golden Globes success is rare.
“Sex and the City” ran on HBO from 1998 to 2004. The show tackled topics network television avoided: female sexuality, career challenges, friendship, and urban life. Carrie Bradshaw became a cultural icon. Her fashion influenced trends worldwide.
Parker wasn’t just the star. She served as executive producer starting in Season 3 and shaped the show’s creative direction. The character remains relevant today through “And Just Like That,” which launched in 2021.
Her film career includes “Hocus Pocus” (1993 and 2022), “The First Wives Club,” and “The Family Stone.” She also produced and starred in “Divorce” on HBO.
Helen Hoehne said: “Sarah Jessica Parker’s career embodies the very spirit of the Carol Burnett Award. Her trailblazing impact on television and her dedication to storytelling across stage and screen have left an indelible mark on popular culture.”
Parker receives this award for creating an iconic character, changing television’s portrayal of women, and five decades of quality work across entertainment.
What to Expect from Golden Eve 2026
Golden Eve offers something different from typical awards shows. The special is expected to run approximately one to two hours and focuses entirely on two people.
Career Retrospectives will showcase carefully selected clips from each honoree’s most memorable work. Expect to see Helen Mirren in “The Queen” and “Prime Suspect.” You’ll likely watch Sarah Jessica Parker’s best “Sex and the City” moments. These clips show their range and impact.
Never-Before-Seen Footage is expected to include behind-the-scenes moments, early career material, and exclusive content. Based on the 2025 Golden Gala format, the special will offer viewers an unprecedented insider’s look at the honorees’ legacies.
In-Depth Conversations will feature interviews with both honorees. They will share personal stories about their careers, discuss challenges they overcame, and reveal insights about their iconic roles. The special promises in-depth conversations with the honorees that go deeper than typical celebrity interviews.
Personal Stories help viewers understand the people behind the performances. Both honorees will share meaningful memories from their decades in entertainment. The special will feature personal stories and unforgettable Golden Globes moments from their careers.
Award Presentations include the actual ceremony where special presenters hand out both awards. The honorees then deliver acceptance speeches. CBS has not announced the presenters yet, but they are typically close friends, colleagues, or co-stars of the honorees.
Dick Clark Productions brings decades of experience creating quality shows including the Golden Globes, American Music Awards, and Academy of Country Music Awards. Expect professional production and emotional storytelling that honors these legends properly.
Past Golden Eve and Golden Gala Honorees (History)
The 2025 Golden Gala launched this tradition. Viola Davis became the first Black woman to receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award. She achieved the Triple Crown of Acting with an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony. Ted Danson received the Carol Burnett Award for five decades of television excellence in shows like “Cheers” and “The Good Place.”
The private ceremony proved successful. CBS expanded it into the televised Golden Eve for 2026.
Notable Cecil B. DeMille Award Recipients include Walt Disney (1954), Judy Garland (1962), Audrey Hepburn (1990), Robert Redford (1994), Barbra Streisand (2000), Meryl Streep (2017), Denzel Washington (2016), Tom Hanks (2020), Oprah Winfrey (2018), and Viola Davis (2025). Helen Mirren becomes the 70th recipient.
Carol Burnett Award Recipients include Carol Burnett (2019), Ellen DeGeneres (2020), Norman Lear (2021), Ryan Murphy (2023), and Ted Danson (2025). Sarah Jessica Parker becomes the sixth recipient.
Each winner transformed their medium. They didn’t just succeed—they changed what film and television could be.
Golden Eve 2026: Date, Time & Where to Watch
Golden Eve airs Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT.
Where to Watch:
- CBS (free with antenna, cable, or satellite)
- Paramount+ Premium plan for live streaming ($12.99/month as of January 8)*
- Paramount+ Essential for next-day on-demand viewing ($7.99/month as of January 8)*
- Free trials available: Paramount+ (7 days), Fubo (5 days)
Paramount+ subscription prices rise to $13.99/month for Premium and $8.99/month for Essential, effective January 15, 2026. New subscribers can take advantage of the 7-day free trial to stream Golden Eve 2026 at no cost. Read our full Golden Eve watching guide here for streaming details.
The special is expected to run approximately 1-2 hours. CBS includes it in all cable and satellite packages at no extra cost. The exact runtime has not been announced.
FAQs about the 2026 Golden Eve Awards
Who are the 2026 Golden Eve honorees?
Dame Helen Mirren receives the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Sarah Jessica Parker receives the Carol Burnett Award.
What awards are given at Golden Eve?
The Cecil B. DeMille Award honors outstanding contributions to entertainment with a focus on film. The Carol Burnett Award honors outstanding contributions to television. Both recognize lifetime careers.
Why was Golden Eve created?
Traditional awards shows only give lifetime achievement winners about two minutes on stage. Golden Eve dedicates an entire broadcast to properly honoring these legends with career retrospectives, never-before-seen footage, and in-depth conversations.
How is Golden Eve different from Golden Gala?
Golden Gala (2025) was a private, non-televised ceremony for industry insiders only. Golden Eve (2026) is a CBS primetime special available to all viewers nationwide.
When does Golden Eve air?
Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on CBS and Paramount+.
Who are past Cecil B. DeMille Award recipients?
Past recipients include Walt Disney, Audrey Hepburn, Sidney Poitier, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey, and Viola Davis (2025). Helen Mirren is the 70th recipient since the award was created in 1952.
Who are past Carol Burnett Award recipients?
Carol Burnett (2019), Ellen DeGeneres (2020), Norman Lear (2021), Ryan Murphy (2023), and Ted Danson (2025). Sarah Jessica Parker is the sixth recipient since the award was created in 2019.
What can I expect to see on Golden Eve?
The special will feature career retrospectives, never-before-seen footage, in-depth conversations with the honorees, personal stories, unforgettable Golden Globes moments, award presentations, and full acceptance speeches.
Is Golden Eve the same as the Golden Globes?
No. Golden Eve airs Thursday, January 8 and honors lifetime achievement awards. The main 83rd Annual Golden Globes ceremony airs Sunday, January 11 and awards current achievements in film, television, and podcasting. Both air on CBS and Paramount+.
Will Golden Eve happen every year?
Yes. Golden Eve is now an annual primetime special honoring each year’s Cecil B. DeMille Award and Carol Burnett Award recipients.
Golden Eve 2026 celebrates two legends who shaped entertainment history. Dame Helen Mirren and Sarah Jessica Parker earned this recognition through decades of excellence. Watch Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET on CBS to honor these incredible talents.
