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The Golden Globes to get a deal from WGA ? Update: Nope!

By fred | January 2, 2008

Awards shows are usually very good for everyone, because with all celebrities everywhere it attracts lots of advertisers as well as viewers, and as such gets strong ratings most of the time. But with the strike, they can’t get writers, they can’t use clip shows, and with writers picketing most A-list celebrities won’t show up as they are supportive are refuse to cross picket lines.

In short, it’s a mess, a lot of nothing doomed to fail. And the WGA have already denied waivers for the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. But the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is hoping that they may have found a solution, that found allow the ceremony to take place, writers to work on the show, and all celebrities to show up and enjoy the evening.

Inspired by Worldwide Pants’ deal, the HFPA is hoping to have a deal signed with the WGA in the same way Letterman did, because just like for the talk shows, the Golden Globes are produced independently and owned by Dick Clark Productions, not NBC, and the former might agreed to the WGA demands and give writers what they’re asking for (they seem to be willing to sign the same deal as Letterman’s company did), and as such get all their shows, starting with the Globes, could take place as usual.

Jorge Camara, President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, issued this statement today :

I am happy to announce that on Saturday morning, December 29, 2007, our attorneys began discussions with the Writers Guild of America to enter into an interim agreement similar to that entered into by the WGA and Worldwide Pants, which permits writers guild members to go back to work writing for The Late Show With David Letterman. We feel that the Late Show With David Letterman agreement is very reasonable, and hope and expect the WGA will agree to the same terms and ultimately permit the “Golden Globe Awards” to be broadcast as scheduled, without picket lines, on Sunday, January 13.We are pleased that the WGA has made interim agreements available for independent production companies. The process established by the WGA permits writers to get back to work, grants the WGA the rights it is seeking on behalf of all writers, and allows certain shows to move forward. The Late Show With David Letterman and the “Golden Globe Awards” are similar in structure and are administered in the same way. Worldwide Pants produces The Late Show with David Letterman for broadcast on behalf of David Letterman, Dick Clark Productions produces the “Golden Globe Awards” for broadcast on behalf of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. CBS does not own Late Show with David Letterman, and NBC does not own the “Golden Globe Awards”.

We strongly support the WGA and the efforts they are making on behalf of writers, and applaud the fact that they have agreed to allow certain industry awards shows to move forward with WGA writers and be broadcast. Much like the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Film Independent’s Spirit Awards, we want to enter into an agreement with the WGA that will allow the entertainment industry to celebrate the outstanding work of creative individuals in addition to millions of fans nationwide. It is only fair that we be afforded the same opportunity as these other awards shows.

What’s more, our partners at Dick Clark Productions share in our support of the WGA and their efforts and have agreed to enter into interim agreements for all of their productions, including the “American Music Awards”, “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” and “The Academy Of Country Music Awards” among others.

An interim agreement with the WGA will also help numerous schools and entertainment industry non-profit organizations receive annual donations from the HFPA. Over the last several years the HFPA has contributed approximately $8 million to organizations including The Film Foundation, Sundance Institute, Film Independent, American Cinematheque and schools including USC, UCLA, and Cal Arts. All of these programs will be severely impacted without the funds made available as a direct result of the Golden Globe Awards broadcast.

Update: Nope, WGA doesn’t agree. Still no agreement for the Globes, although NBC is still planning on airing whatever there is to air.

WGA statement:

Dick Clark Productions is a struck company. As previously announced, the Writers Guild will be picketing the Golden Globe Awards. The WGA has great respect and admiration for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, but we are engaged in a crucial struggle that will protect our income and intellectual property rights for generations to come. We will continue to do everything in our power to bring industry negotiations to a fair conclusion. In the meantime, we are grateful for the ongoing support of the talent community.

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