Can the HFPA Fix the Golden Globes?
Posted on March 17, 2021 at 2:53 pm
The Golden Globes is known for three things: (1) A tiny, secret group of LA-based “foreign press” only known for giving out awards, (2) A big, glittery show with lots of awards to both TV and movies with double categories for comedy/musical and drama, improving the chances to people and productions to win, and (3) A history of secrecy and allegations of corruption and lack of diversity. This year that last category gained even more prominence with revelations that members are paid as much as $25,000 through NBC, which broadcasts the show and the nomination of “Emily in Paris,” following a cushy junket where HFPA members were put up in a $1200 a night hotel in Paris.
The publicists representing Hollywood’s top talent have demanded major changes:
“We call on the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. to swiftly manifest profound and lasting change to eradicate the longstanding exclusionary ethos and pervasive practice of discriminatory behavior, unprofessionalism, ethical impropriety and alleged financial corruption endemic to the HFPA, funded by Dick Clark Productions, MRC, NBCUniversal and Comcast,” the publicists wrote in a letter sent to the group Monday afternoon.