People’s Choice Awards made strikeproof ?
By fred | December 20, 2007
At first, the rumor was that the People’s Choice Awards were simple canceled this year, CBS was not going to broadcast a show were most celebrities were likely to not show up (read: would refuse to cross picket lines). Thinking about simply canceling a show that usually does pretty good, network executives weren’t too happy, obviously.
But don’t worry, because they have an idea !
Forget the strike, this has nothing to do about a strike or some writers or anything, things will go as planned, but they just had an idea for a new format : magazine format !
The show will air at January 8 at 9.00 on CBS, and Queen Latifah will still host the show. Only there won’t be no show, not in the traditional sense of the term no. Instead of the live ceremony with presenters giving away awards to attending ceremony, this year all winners will get a chance to tape an acceptance speech in advance, which will simply be aired during the “show”. No one has to show up, so there’s no picket lines to cross, or not to cross.
Of course, this crap is presented as something really cool, as president of the PCA Fred Nelson said : “With the reinvention of People’s Choice, we’re allowing entertainment enthusiasts to have even more influence on the show. The new approach will give fans a more personal glimpse into the lives of their favorite actors and musicians.” Yeah, right.
They also point out that people can go vote online, and also suggest questions for winners, questions that may be answered during the acceptance speech, in another attempt to pass this as “a more personal” thing. I’m also sure that should a winner bash CBS directly, or attack the AMPTP for their crappy handling of the strike, their lies or refusal to negotiate, all such remarks could get lost somewhere during post-production.
How will the writers’ strike affect other awards shows ?
NBC said they will air the Golden Globes January 13. The writers said they would picket, same day same place. Many celebrities have announced or are believed to refuse crossing picket lines, and many could decide not to show up at all.
How can that work ? I have no idea.
Oscar producer said that the ceremony would go on on February 24, and that ABC would air whatever there is to air. Like for the Globes, they might turn to non-WGA writers.
Given how the Oscars is usually one of the highest-rated programs of the year, a strike and the trouble that will be surrounding the ceremony due to the strike might be one of the best thing for the cause : let the public know what’s going on. Of course, it airs on ABC, so you’ll probably get hear Disney’s side on the whole thing instead of the truth, sadly…
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