NBC has vowed that the Golden Globes awards broadcast will go on as scheduled next Sunday (1/3), but the network now faces the prospect of having a bunch of unknowns as presenters and hardly anyone coming on stage to accept the awards. Publicists representing a wide swath of Hollywood stars sent a letter to NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker informing him that their clients will not be crossing the WGA picket line.
There is still a possibility that there will not be a picket line to cross, since the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), whose members vote on the Golden Globes, has been negotiating with the WGA to try to get clearance for the show to go on. "The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has been placed in an extremely difficult position with the ongoing Writers Guild strike. We are making every effort to work out a solution that will permit the Golden Globes to take place with the creative community present to participate. We hope to announce a resolution to this unfortunate predicament on Monday," said HFPA President Jorge Camara in a statement issued Friday.
Read to publicists’ letter to Zucker.
Dear Jeff,
We represent a majority of the actors, writers and directors nominated for a 2008 Golden Globe Award, as well as many of those invited to appear as presenters on the January 13, 2008 broadcast. After much discussion with our clients, we have concluded the vast majority of the talent we represent are not comfortable crossing a picket line.
Our clients are extremely grateful to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and would love the opportunity to be recognized for their work, but will only do so in the event NBC/Dick Clark Productions reaches an interim agreement with the WGA for the Golden Globes.
Respectfully,
42 West
BWR Public Relations
Bragman, Nyman, Cafarelli
ID
Image Management Public Relations
Patricola Lust Public Relations
PMK/HBH
Rogers & Cowan
Nancy Seltzer & Associates, Inc.
Stan Rosenfield & Associates
True Public Relations
Wolf, Kasteler and Associates
