The 2026 Golden Globes week kicked off with a major honour for a television icon. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker was presented with the Carol Burnett Award for her outstanding contributions to the medium, in a ceremony that set the stage for the main event.
A Night of Television Tributes
On Tuesday, January 9, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Sarah Jessica Parker became the latest recipient of the Carol Burnett Award. The award recognizes exceptional impact on television, both on-screen and off. The pre-ceremony event, known as Golden Eve, was broadcast on CBS and Paramount+ on Thursday night.
The star-studded audience included Parker's Sex and the City family. Co-stars Kristin Davis, Evan Handler, and David Eigenberg were present to support her. Her real-life family, husband Matthew Broderick and son James Wilkie, also attended the celebration. The night was doubly significant, as legendary actress Helen Mirren was presented with the 2026 Cecil B. DeMille Award at the same event.
Parker's Heartfelt Acceptance Speech
In her emotional acceptance speech, Parker paid tribute to the award's namesake, calling Carol Burnett "gracious, generous and oh, so loving." She then reflected on the role that defined her career and changed television.
"I met Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York, Samantha Jones and Miranda Hobbs, and I spent 25 years with the most glorious ensemble of women and actors," Parker said. She fondly recalled treating New York City as their soundstage, cherishing every long filming hour and heartfelt moment with her castmates. Quoting Kristin Davis, she added, "'You are in my bones.'"
Parker also extended gratitude to HBO CEO Casey Bloys for her "permanent residency" at the network. This nod comes after the cable giant concluded the Sex and the City spinoff, And Just Like That..., after its third season in 2025.
Co-Stars and Lasting Friendships
The bond forged on the set of the iconic HBO series was a central theme of the evening. Kristin Davis, who gave a moving tribute to Parker earlier in the ceremony, was visibly emotional in the audience during her friend's speech.
Davis herself had spoken through tears during her tribute, highlighting the show's enduring message. "'Sex and the City' has a lot of great themes, but my favourite theme is honouring the importance of friendship, of life, long chosen family, and that’s what you are to me," Davis said. "It is a joy to be with you in this life and to be here tonight."
The Golden Eve ceremony successfully honoured two pillars of the entertainment industry, with Parker's award underscoring a career built on a landmark series and genuine camaraderie. The main Golden Globes ceremony aired on Sunday night on CBS and Paramount+.
