Don't expect celebs at the Golden Globes' press conference
When you ask officials at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association if the Golden Globe nominees will attend the press conference TV show planned for Sunday night, you get an evasive, muddled response. The real answer: no, they probably won't be there. In general, nominees don't like to attend award shows where they have a 80 percent chance of losing and doing so in front of millions of TV viewers. If their employers and managers would let them stay home and skip the whole thing, they'd do so. The only upshot for the losers who attend is that they get to hang out socially with their peers at a grand gala. That's not what is planned for Sunday's Globe press conference. Therefore, don't expect stars to attend.
Instead, the press conference will really be a one-hour special full of HFPA chiefs reading off the names of nominees and winners and, filling out the rest of the hour, taped segments about the award races plus pundit commentary. Yes, other journos will be there, too, like myself and my Envelope colleagues, but NBC is calling it a press conference largely so that the show can be produced by its news division, which is theoretically exempt from WGA jurisdiction. However, WGA says that it may not recognize the exemption and may picket if celebs plan to attend. So that seals the deal: forget celebs.
And, of course, it looks like we can already forget the third installment of the Globes coverage announced yesterday by NBC: the party show to be hosted by "Access Hollywood's" Billy Bush. Nearly all of the parties have been canceled, so what are we left with? The first installment: the clip show full of pre-taped chats with nominees. And second installment: the press conference. Aren't you excited? Are we having fun yet?
By picketing the Oscars, the writers can also successfully not only put all the so-called "other" workers (costume designers, cinematographers, makeup artists) out of work, they can also deny them their one evening in the spotlight by cancelling or ruining the only award show that bothers to honor them on tv.
More than anything though, they are pissing off the fans. And make no mistake -- most fans will not blame the "networks" and the "corporations". No one even knows who they are. The writers are the one in the spotlight and the one that clearly have no interest in bargaining if they think a strike suits their interests more. By boycotting the award shows, they are turning the average fan against them. And people like me who once supported their cause, no longer do.
More than anything it's just bad strategy. It's highly unlikely NBC is going to air any strikers if they are picketing AGAINST NBC. So not only do will they not get the national exposure they think they will get, they are denying the actors the opportunity to parade across the stage promoting the cause.
There was always going to be a point where this strike was going to shot Hollywood in the foot, and this whole Globes absurdity is that point.
At the very least, don't give any of these people awards. Not the writers who are acting like stubborn babies or the actors who shamefully hide behind publicists in "support" of the strike. None of these people deserve an award.
Posted by: Ryan | January 09, 2008 at 05:23 PM
mllewis, you do realize you're talking about "The People's Choice Awards." It's always been about popularity. Also, in essence, a strike is a big game of chicken. It's "I'm not gonna work until you pay me" against "Well, I'm not gonna pay you" until one side realizes they either need the workers or that the workers need their jobs. The problem with the writer's strike is that the networks are continuing on just fine without their workers and the writers are picking and choosing work they they will do instead of banning everything. Together, that means the strike is not going to work. Instead, it hurts other people and companies like networks don't care about other people. Sad but true. On topic: I'm gonna miss the GGs. It was always my favorite award show, watching celebs mingle and drink.
Posted by: junior | January 09, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Actors, directors and technical crew members should attend the awards despite the strike. Don't get me wrong..I'm with the writers...but attend the awards and when the winners are on TV...they can not only thank the writers but show their support by bringing the issues forth which caused the strike in the first place. Make the public aware what's at stake...give a plug and needle in some barbs...publicity is good...
Posted by: Frankie R. | January 09, 2008 at 10:01 AM
These award shows have become a joke. They ceased being about talent, and achievement long time ago. As I read through the list of 'Peoples Choice' award winners...It becomes evident that mental morons should not be allowed to cast votes for anything. If you read the list, it reveals the entertainment industry's distain, and omission of African American actors, and actresses. The only hint of African American participation is 'The Favorite Scene Stealer', Chandra Wilson.
White Execs, White Producers, White Directors, White Actors, with an occasional person of color thrown in. This system is broken if the public thinks Katherine Heigl is the best actress of anything. With the large number of accomplished actors, and actresses on the small screen, and the best they can find is her? What does this tell you about the viewing public? They have dumbed down to the visual, actual talent is not a factor anymore. If it was, Ms. Heigl wouldn't even be in the conversation. The upcoming award shows will be no different. It may be a blessing that the writers are on strike. These shows have become an opportunity to blow smoke up eachothers asses. Have you noticed that acccording to actors, there is not one bad actor in Hollywood. Everybody is a delight to work with, and brings all of this deep acting technique to the set. Do people really believe that? I know bad acting when I see it, and it's all over the screen, but they keep throwing it out there, and the brain dead public keeps lapping it up.
Posted by: mllewis | January 09, 2008 at 07:31 AM
When are you posting your TV and film predictions? I havent seen any TV predictions from the Globes Tom? I know its Oscar season but what is this going to do to Emmy Season? Both the strike and no globes to build momentum (circa Ferrera last year)...Id appreciate some commentary on that!
Posted by: Wayne | January 09, 2008 at 07:13 AM
You know what the WGA should have done? They should have not picketed, but let the award show go on WITHOUT any introductions...Just: Here are the nominees for...
Los Angeles Area will lose about 100 million becuase of this "crisis." I know becuase I live and work here. The parties, limos, restaurants, hotels, hair and makeup will cost 100 million just for the GG. As much as I support the Writers, the Los Angeles Economy will be in ruins if the Academy Awards are going to be canceled as well.
Posted by: Mike B. | January 08, 2008 at 10:54 PM
It would be so nice if the Golden Globes were canceled permanently, and the HFPA disbanded. Both are a bad joke.
Posted by: DB | January 08, 2008 at 10:38 PM
This is absolutely ridiculous and out of hand. The writers are actually wanting me, a fan, to go on strike against them and all this nonsense.
Personally, since no one agreed to go to the GG Awards and they writers were going to picket, then I believe NO AWARDS should be handed out at all. Just have a big blank space for 2007 winners. Wouldn't it be funny if the actual writers (probably on strike) put their sign down long enough to collect their GG if they won.
As to the Oscars...I wouldn't even sweat it if I was the Academy. I would cancel that too. I would ask that all ballots be returned and they would be invalidated. Again, no winners for 2007. Just actually cancel the whole thing and not give any nominations or awards. Let's see how long the actors and directors would stay in solidarity now. I mean, if they are going to picket and boycott the event that is in essence celebrating and honoring their work, why give the awards out at all. Then they would have to just be happy with their little SAG awards and move on to next year.
The ones I feel bad for are all the behind the scenes people that are losing their jobs and suffering financially from this. I am even including the service people and housekeeping at the BH Hotel, make up artists, set designers, video people, photographers, etc that also work the parties, among many other individuals and companies that are losing money. I also heard at one time that part of the profits from the Golden Globes goes to a scholarship fund or something for students...is that true? If so, that is awful for them that they won't be getting the donations they usually do from this event.
Also, I want to know if the writers are still receiving residual payments for the re-runs of shows that that being broadcast. Are the actors getting residuals as well?
Posted by: Isabel | January 08, 2008 at 09:57 PM
So what about all the other people who are going to lose money? It's not just NBC that'll lose. What about limo drivers, make up artists, designers? What about E! and the TV Guide channel? Are the writers going to share whatever they eventually get with all those people?
Posted by: Aura | January 08, 2008 at 03:46 PM