Golden Globes Seeking Deal With WGA

Posted on January 2, 2008

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is trying to work out a deal with the Writers Guild that wold allow the Golden Globes ceremony to proceed without picketing, but with its comedy writers and its A-List actors.

According to a statement from HFPA president Jorge Camara, the Press Association began talking to the WGA on Dec. 29 after learning about the interim deal writers forged with David Letterman's Worldwide Pants. That deal permits The Late Show with David Letterman (as well as The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson) to resume production today using WGA writers. "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 Jan. 13," Camara said in the statement.
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HFPA's Camara was confident that a deal could be worked out with the WGA because, like Worldwide Pants' ownership of CBS' The Late Show, the HFPA owns the Golden Globes, not NBC, the network that will broadcast the ceremony (though the ceremony is produced by Dick Clark Prods, which must also agree to WGA terms). "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," Camara said in his statement. "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."

The WGA responded with a statement that Dick Clark Productions is a struck company and that picketing will proceed.

"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."

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is really groveling here, but the writers aren't buying it. The feeling seems to be that the HFPA is just a marketing tool for the studios and that there is no benefit to the cause to allow the show to go forward on NBC. NBC Universal has steadfastly refused to entertain the writers' demands.