It’s the Golden Globes — without any glitz, glamour or even an audience.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is somehow still moving forward with the 2022 Golden Globes on Sunday, even after off-screen drama sapped the film and TV ceremony of its longtime telecast partner or any public support from its nominees.
Organizers confirmed this week that the show will indeed go on, but mysteries about what the event might actually look like continue to swirl. It’s still unclear whether the ceremony will even be viewable on TV or through a livestream.
So how did we get here? Here’s everything we know about this year’s Golden Globes.
The controversy
It all started last February, when the Los Angeles Times reported multiple issues involving the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — which organizes the Golden Globes — including that the group didn’t include a single Black member.
The HFPA also received criticism after the newspaper reported that 30 members were put up at a fancy, five-star French hotel last year during a set visit for “Emily in Paris.” Many were surprised when the lighthearted, romantic comedy-drama series received two nominations at the 2021 Golden Globes.
The fallout
Many within the entertainment industry were quick to disassociate with the HFPA. More than 100 public-relations firms said their clients would not take part in the Globes, while actor Tom Cruise returned the three trophies he received at past ceremonies.
NBC, which broadcasts the show nearly every year, said the HFPA “needs time” to make changes, and announced it wouldn’t air the 2022 ceremony.
And Scarlett Johannson, a five-time Golden Globes nominee, condemned the HFPA, saying some members’ comments and questions had “bordered on sexual harassment.”
“The HFPA is an organization that was legitimized by the likes of Harvey Weinstein to amass momentum for Academy recognition and the industry followed suit,” Johansson said in a statement to Variety last May. “Unless there is necessary fundamental reform within the organization, I believe it is time that we take a step back from the HFPA and focus on the importance and strength of unity within our unions and the industry as a whole.”
2022 nominations
Despite the highly publicized pushback, the HFPA announced its 2022 nominees last month.
Top finalists include the movies “The Power of the Dog,” which stars Benedict Cumberbatch as a domineering rancher, and Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical film “Belfast.” Both received seven nominations to lead all films.
The satirical comedy-drama series “Succession,” meanwhile, scored five nods to lead all shows.
Hollywood remained noticeably quiet after the announcement, which was in great contrast to previous years, when many nominees released statements and conducted interviews to discuss the honor.
The HFPA’s response
Weeks after the L.A. Times expose emerged, the HFPA created a board to lead “transformational change,” and vowed to collaborate with outside experts to improve the group’s transparency and diversity and inclusion.
During December’s nominations reveal, new HFPA President Helen Hoehne described the year as one “of change and reflection” for the organization.
“For eight months, we have worked tirelessly as an organization to be better,” Hoehne said at the time. “We changed our rules, bylaws, added a new code of conduct and restructured our governance.”
So now what?
Organizers said Tuesday that the Golden Globes winners will be unveiled at the Beverly Hilton in Southern California on Sunday beginning at 9 p.m. ET.
However, there will be no audience or celebrity-filled red carpet, which organizers attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. No celebrities agreed to take part in the festivities as presenters, Variety reported. Media members, meanwhile, were told they can’t apply for coverage credentials.
There’s also been no mention of how the awards will be revealed, or if there will be a way for the public to watch.
One thing is for sure: It will be a Golden Globes unlike any before.
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