ROTTEN TOMATOES: HFPA Pulls Plug on Golden Globes Ceremony

HFPA Pulls Plug on Golden Globes Ceremony

Dozens of gift-bag stuffers suddenly bagless, stuffless.

by Jeff Giles | January 08, 2008

If you were planning on watching the Golden Globes this year, it's officially time to find something else to do: in a move rumored for days, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association has officially canceled this year's ceremony.

Like seemingly everything else that happens in Hollywood these days, the HFPA's decision was motivated by the writers' strike. The Writers Guild of America made no secret of its plans to picket the Globes, and rebuffed efforts by the show's producer, Dick Clark Productions, to broker a deal similar to the ones made by Worldwide Pants and United Artists -- and the Screen Actors Guild cemented the fate of the '08 Globes when it was announced that none of its nominated members would be attending the ceremony.

The winners will now be announced at a press conference at the Beverly Hilton, set to begin at 6 o'clock PM Pacific Standard Time on January 13. Jorge Camara, president of the HFPA, issued the following statement:

"We are all very disappointed that our traditional awards ceremony will not take place this year and that millions of viewers worldwide will be deprived of seeing many of their favorite stars celebrating 2007's outstanding achievements in motion pictures and television.

"We take some comfort, however, in knowing that this year's Golden Globe Award recipients will be announced on the date originally scheduled."

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(1-20 of 23 posts) | Reply

Matanuki writes:
on Jan 08 2008 05:49 AM

Good. The more the strike affects, the better. It's time writers got the respect they deserve. No stories, no movies. No writers, no stories. Period.

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dahluzz writes:
on Jan 08 2008 06:37 AM

HAHAHAHA this is so huge for the writers. and guess what, this means NO OSCARS EITHER. way to show solidarity actors (makes sense, you'll be wanting those new media resids come summer when your contract is up). what a giant kick in the balls to the suits. I really wasn't sure if they'd go through with the cancellation, but think about it, no patter, no clips and no celebs? what would be the point? Now let's all watch as the studios' collective resolve gets monkey-*****ed.

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jeremyd4 writes:
on Jan 08 2008 06:56 AM

I'm sorry.... but how does canceling a ceremony that awards actors, directors AND WRITERS have anything to do with the payment made to those writers???? Yes, I agree many writers are actually getting screwed over, but this doesn't seem right. Why should those supporting their cause be punished, particularly when some of the actors and writers deserve all the praise they were set to receive given the great films we've seen lately. What a shame public acknowledgement of their work will just be a footnote at a press release now.

Yes, this will give the writers more attention - but it's not like they haven't had much of that these past couple of months! Hey, why don't we all take a week off work for the writers too! Solidarity will see us through!!

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sunsaz writes:
on Jan 08 2008 06:58 AM

God. This strike is going to make my Screenwriting class next semester intollerable.

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jeremyd4 writes:
on Jan 08 2008 07:01 AM

This is why unions are more often than not, EVIL. The cause is right, sure, but the tactics are stupid, unproductive and effect others that have done no wrong! They're using bully tactics.. any actors actually wanting to attend are basically shamed into staying in hiding. I also read Oliver Stone's latest film production had to be shut down because of the strike.

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Shatter24 writes:
on Jan 08 2008 08:51 AM

Hopefully, this will force a quicker resolution between the parties, now that the industry is actually being hurt by the strike. You can't fill in the Golden Globes with a reality program.

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minderbinder writes:
on Jan 08 2008 09:02 AM

"The cause is right, sure, but the tactics are stupid, unproductive and effect others that have done no wrong!"

It remains to be seen whether the tactics are productive or not, the only criteria that really matters.

So if striking is bad, what alternative means of negotiation would you suggest that the writers have done instead that would actually give them any leverage and any shot at getting what they wanted? If they continued working during negotiations, why would the studios do anything but insist that the writers get nothing better than what they have right now?

So what's the alternative? I keep asking that question, but the strike haters have yet to answer it.

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Matanuki writes:
on Jan 08 2008 09:33 AM

Hey dahluzz, minderbinder, if this derails the Oscars too I'm gonna mark the date on my calender and celebrate it. Thus is the size of my contempt for the outrageous hubris of these studios and their passionless money grubbing execs. If the whole thing crashes and burns, if the entire movie industry unravels and becomes no more before the writers get their due, it will be a fitting end. And I spit with disgust on the shoes of anyone who claims to love movies while at the same time standing against the writers of them. How absurd is that?!

Well. In a backwards world that's reduced everything to a game of dollars, you can't expect the studios' collective suit and tie sensibilities to ever be disturbed by reason, commonsense, or, above all, integrity. They know full well that the writers deserve their resids (because if they don't then no one does), but still here we are. Shows coming off the air, seasons ending halfway through, productions coming to a screeching halt, award shows canceled, this is the only voice that'll reach their ears.

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Bob* writes:
on Jan 08 2008 10:22 AM

*cross fingers* not the oscars..not the oscars..not the oscars..

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arendr writes:
on Jan 08 2008 10:57 AM

Let's see...

positives: The actors are helping out the writers, no boring speeches and Joan Rivers fashion reports.

cons: ?

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jeremyd4 writes:
on Jan 08 2008 11:08 AM

If you're not getting paid enough, ask for more, then, don't work for your employer or go elsewhere. Reward those who do the right thing, ignore those who don't look after their employees. If everyone did it, things would work properly. I do realise the flaw in this logic, in that some weasel will always work for cheaper, but striking amounts to the same thing eventually, the same amount of suffering, especially if no changes come about. You're basically doing the same thing anyway, only whinging in numbers with union support because you didn't have to balls to stand up for yourself in the first place.

Even with the strike, people still aren't getting paid and family's are still struggling, but now others are starting to feel the effects, others who've also been struggling just as much as the writers. I object to punishing those who don't deserve it, all because the strike needs more media attention. This awards show has nothing to do with "the cause", and yes certain celebrities don't stand to lose much either way the outcome of the strike goes, however you asked for an alternative - how about everyone attend the awards and make a statement there, you've got the whole world listening - what better opportunity??? Makes far more sense to me, let people around the world here what you have to say, but also allows those the awards are meant for, to get the recognition they deserve - Daniel Day-Lewis I'm looking at you.

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jeremyd4 writes:
on Jan 08 2008 11:19 AM

I just think for the SAG to say its members will not cross the picket line, well, it's not right - let people decide for themselves!! The issue is to do with WRITING. As such, I'm fine with writers stopping work, the impact of this is significant enough. The industry is crippled and can't operate. That should be enough. Don't bring others into it.

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nathanpoitras writes:
on Jan 08 2008 11:30 AM

It's really too bad since the Globes are usually far more accurate with the winners than the Oscars. Boo writers, boo!

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arendr writes:
on Jan 08 2008 11:32 AM

jeremyd4,

The writers actors would not only be undermining the writer's by attending the Globes, but ultimately themselves as well. Many of the issues that the writer's are striking about are ones that the actors will soon deal with. There have already been talks of SAG joining the WGA on the picketlines because their contract is up soon as well.

Daniel Day-Lewis should just be given the awards straight up anyway. No need to hurt people's feelings by nominating them.

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Vega-Star writes:
on Jan 08 2008 01:39 PM

"Daniel Day-Lewis should just be given the awards straight up anyway. No need to hurt people's feelings by nominating them."

I second that.

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BowieSwimmer writes:
on Jan 08 2008 04:30 PM

Can we just please still have the Oscars?
While I enjoy the Golden Globes, I can certainly live without it.
The Oscars...well, I'm not so sure, pathetic as that may truly sound.

There are whispers it will also be boycotted.
Let's just end this godforsaken strike already, and work out a deal over stupid movies/television on the internet. I mean, come on!

Sure, this cancellation [to be replaced by a lame-sounding "press conference," whatever that entails] bring some attention back to the striking writers...but its not like the attention has died down at all. Its visibly effecting the industry more and more ever day, to the point where random people who ultimately know nothing about the industry know that the WGA is striking. We know about it, we understand that writers are oppressed and underpaid. I fully understand and support the writers and their actions, but amends need to made. ASAP. This has gone on to long. Writers, realize the negotiations are never going to be perfect. Studios, realize you need to give the writers more..
So let's just get this resolved before Oscar night...pretty pretty please?!!

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Floor Man writes:
on Jan 08 2008 05:06 PM

"Can we just please still have the Oscars?
While I enjoy the Golden Globes, I can certainly live without it.
The Oscars...well, I'm not so sure, pathetic as that may truly sound."

My thoughts exactly. :|

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WinchMan4 writes:
on Jan 08 2008 08:11 PM

anyone else like the movie info there on the right?

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Vikingsia20 writes:
on Jan 09 2008 06:19 AM

Is it just me, or does it seem no one is thinking about the other people who are affected by this. Whatever network that was set to host the Golden Globes, along with the many employees who work at the location of the Golden Globes, some of whom could really use that money, can't. Movie theater industry is going to eventually get hit. I remember last year at this time, one of my managers (I work at a theater.) was talking about how a bunch of movie theaters were talking about having to shut down. Why? Because the movies just were not making money for them. The theaters can make up some business through good customer service and good practices. However, they even more so, need good movies. This summer basically saved the industry. Now, the film industry is setting us up to get crap again. Therefore, a bunch of people will have their jobs threatened. And here is why this strike may prove to be ineffective. If there are no movie theaters. There are no movies. If there are no movies. The writers won't have a job. They never stop to think about the other people being effected. Not just the big wigs.

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dahluzz writes:
on Jan 09 2008 06:57 AM

In reply to this comment (#1446540)
uhh, wrong. even if movie theaters went away (which i hope won't happen, but would make sense given that they need to hike ticket prices every year just to make as much as the previous year, and the box office in general is no longer profitable) people would still watch stuff at home. especially now that a lot of people have baller home theater systems and it's getting easier to acquire content online. the demise of theaters would mean that people like you would have to do something besides take tickets and shovel popcorn, but it wouldn't affect the writers.

"no movies theaters = no movies" just isn't accurate.

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