TheGoldenGlobesAwards.com Latest Blog Posts

George Clooney's Golden Globe Big Mac celebration

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:51:23 GMT

George Clooney celebrated his Golden Globe Awards win with 100 Big Macs. The 50-year-old star - who scooped the Best Actor prize for his role in 'The Descendants' at the recent ceremony - stayed at the ceremony's official after-party for a brief time before heading back for a private bash at his home, and sent his assistants to a nearby McDonalds to stock up on his favorite fast food to serve to his guests. A source said: ''George rarely eats fast food but he has a thing for Big Macs and the craving hit after the Globes.

''He did the obligatory hand-shaking, hobnobbing and posing for photos after the show but by 10 o'clock he was ravenous. He looked at his girlfriend Stacy Keibler and said, 'You're not going to believe this, but I'm having a Big Mac attack!'

''Stacy looked concerned until she realized George was craving greasy food. He doesn't like hanging out at industry parties too long and he'd invited a bunch of friends to his house. So he told two assistants to pick up 100 Big Macs.''The assistants had to visit three of the fast food outlets before fulfilling the mammoth order and then delivered them back to his house. The source added to the National Enquirer magazine: ''George celebrated his big win with Stacy, some close friends, crew members from the film and his Big Macs - just like a normal guy.''

Golden Globes trial ends; decision now rests with judge

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 19:33:59 GMT

With the two sides hopelessly deadlocked, a federal judge now must determine who controls the lucrative television rights to the Golden Globes Awards show.

Before a packed courtroom in downtown Los Angeles, lawyers representing the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., which owns the Golden Globes, and Dick Clark Productions, which has produced the annual extravaganza for nearly 30 years, wrapped up their three-week trial with closing arguments Friday.

U.S. District Court Judge A. Howard Matz had urged the sides to try to settle the case before Friday's finale -- but the parties remained at loggerheads. At issue is the validity of a 2010 agreement that Dick Clark Productions struck with NBC that would keep the Golden Globes on the network through 2018 -- a deal worth as much as $150 million.

But soon after that pact was announced, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. cried foul. The group sued Dick Clark Productions, contending that the production firm lacked the authority to enter into a new TV contract without its consent.

Dick Clark Productions, meanwhile, maintains that a pivotal section of a 1993 contract gave the firm latitude to renew its TV licensing agreement as long as NBC remained the television broadcast partner. Dick Clark Productions was acquired in 2007 by Red Zone Capital Management Co., a private equity firm controlled by Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder. Matz must now interpret the 1993 agreement. If he sides with the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., the organization could shop the deal to other networks and launch a bidding war.

His decision is not expected for several weeks. "It's going to take some time before I can get back to this," Matz said immediately after declaring the end of the trial. Then he complimented the legal teams, saying: "This case has been handled very professionally and I am grateful for that."On Friday, the two parties agreed on very little -- including which side carried the burden of proof.

Daniel Petrocelli of the O'Melveny & Myers law firm, which represents the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., argued that his clients had no intention of letting the agreement run in perpetuity. "Every contract was for a finite term," Petrocelli said.

The case should not ride on one sentence "slipped in" the contract, Petrocelli said. If so, then, "those 12 words inserted into an option grant would have changed the entire course of history between the parties and basically enslaved the HFPA to Dick Clark Productions."

But Martin Katz of the Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton law firm, which represents Dick Clark Productions, took a more expansive view. He said the HFPA was thrilled to land the awards show on NBC, a major broadcast network, after years of turmoil and obscurity. CBS dropped the show in the 1960s after a voting scandal and a Federal Communications Commission rebuke. After that, the program ran for decades in syndication or on a cable channel. Dick Clark Productions, Katz argued, gave the group credibility.

That was the reason the press group was happy to keep the show on NBC "forever," Katz suggested. "It is important to view this case through the lens of 1993 and not of 2010 or 2012 when the Globes became a much more valuable property," Katz told the judge. "Dick Clark Productions didn't want to be a victim of its own success, polishing a damaged stone into a diamond and then getting cut out of the deal."

Golden Globes Lawsuit: Testimony Ends In Trial Over Globes Broadcast Deal

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:18:32 GMT

LOS ANGELES — Testimony concluded Tuesday in a trial that will decide whether the Golden Globe Awards remain on NBC through 2018 with a federal judge strongly urging both sides to settle before a ruling is necessary.

U.S. District Judge A. Howard Matz warned attorneys for the Globes' organizers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and its longtime producers that he would declare a clear winner, which could result in the Globes being tangled up on appeal for another awards season.

The case involves a $150 million deal that dick clark productions, also known as dcp, negotiated with NBC in 2010. The glitzy awards gala has aired on the network since 1996, but the HFPA contends the company had no right to enter the deal or to continue working on the show without its authorization.

Attorneys for dcp, which is no longer owned by entertainment pioneer Dick Clark, argue a nearly 20-year-old agreement gives the company rights to work on the Globes for as long as it airs on NBC.

After hearing nine days of testimony, Matz set closing arguments in the case for Friday and urged both sides to make another attempt at reconciliation. "Somebody's going to win and somebody's going to lose," Matz said. "It's not going to be a compromise."He said if he ruled it would leave a legal cloud over the Globes as faced during this year's show, in which both sides agreed to allow the show to be produced under the disputed terms of the NBC deal.

The contentious court fight wasn't apparent to audiences, but the HFPA has said it needs the case to be resolved so that it can plan for future broadcasts. Matz said it was clear that a settlement could be achieved, and that the attorneys should speak to their clients about "whether it's time for (them) to come to their senses." The judge did not signal which side he expected to prevail, and praised attorneys for both parties for the clear way they organized and argued the case.

The dispute centers on dueling interpretations of a 1993 agreement that dcp claims gives it rights to negotiate broadcast deals for the Globes and work on the show for as long as it airs on NBC. The HFPA disputes the so-called "perpetuity clause" and claims if it were deemed valid, the association would lose control of its sole asset.

The association sued in November 2010 after the NBC extension was inked and both sides have fought hard to confirm their interpretations of the agreement. Among the witnesses called were longtime members and leaders of the HFPA, current and former dcp executives, attorneys and experts. It also featured the videotaped testimony of CBS CEO Les Moonves, who said he was willing to pay more for rights to the show and thought his network could better promote it.

Moonves testified he was prepared to pay $25 million or more a year for the Globes before the NBC deal was announced. Moonves said he spoke with the HFPA's then-president about possibly bringing the Globes back to CBS, which dropped the awards in the early 1980s after a scandal over how the group decided to present Pia Zadora a best newcomer award. He said after the NBC extension was announced, he was surprised to learn of its terms. "It was odd," Moonves said. "It was a very odd deal."

If the association wins, it would be the first time in nearly 30 years it will be able to negotiate a new production and broadcast deal on its own terms. The show had been knocked from broadcast television and relegated to late-night airings after its members were accused of receiving favors in exchange for giving actress Zadora the award, although Clark's company was eventually able to get it a cable television deal and then bring it to NBC in 1996.

If the production company prevails, it will retain its right to work on a show that attracted nearly 17 million viewers this year and each year provides glimpses of top television and film actors mingling in a banquet setting. The association and production company split the show's earnings equally after costs are factored in.

Although the Globes aren't a reliable predictor of who will win on Oscar night, it has remained a key source of buzz in recent years as three-time host Ricky Gervais has lobbed caustic barbs at Hollywood's elite and the evening's guests and their fashion are analyzed for days.Asked if he would still be interested in acquiring the Golden Globes if the rights became available, Moonves was direct.

Julie Frost talks about Golden Globe-winning collaboration with Madonna

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:21:49 GMT

Julie Frost has gone from Wiggle Worms at the Old Town School of Folk Music to standing on stage at the Golden Globes. The singer/songwriter co-wrote Madonna’s “Masterpiece,” which won the Globe for best original song. The former Chicagoan is back in town performing at Evanston’s SPACE tonight. She performed live in-studio.

Golden Globes Trial: Opening Arguments Set to Begin in Federal Court

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:52:23 GMT

The red carpet from this year’s Golden Globes is probably still at the cleaners and the stars’ borrowed bling has barely settled back into the jewelers’ vaults, but Tuesday the popular awards show’s future goes up for grabs in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom.

At issue is a dispute between the show’s organizers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn., and Dick Clark Productions (DCP), the company that hoisted the Globes out of scandal’s shadow and lifted it into one of the most prominent spots in the film and television industries’ annual awards season. DCP, which no longer is associated with legendary showman Dick Clark, has produced the show since 1983, one year after the 85-member Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. lost a broadcast deal with CBS following revelations that members had received favors in return for giving an award to actress Pia Zadora.

After a period of wandering in the cable wilderness, DCP—which also produces the American Music Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards—negotiated a new broadcast deal with NBC, which continues to air the show. This year, the network paid $17 million to broadcast the show, which was hosted by Ricky Gervais and watched by nearly 17 million viewers.

So what’s the problem?
The Foreign Press Assn. alleges that DCP improperly negotiated a $150-million contract with NBC that will allow the network to continue airing the Globes through 2018. The central issue of the case is an amended agreement between DCP and the Foreign Press Assn that may or may not give the production company the right to produce the show in perpetuity, so long as it remains on NBC. DCP’s lawyers say that the clause was written into the agreement because of the press association’s post-scandal credibility problems. Opening arguments are scheduled for 9 am in US District Court in Los Angeles Tuesday.

“The quid pro quo is that HFPA is contractually bound not to pull the rug out from under DCP in the middle of the most successful television run in the Golden Globes’ history,” the DCP’s attorneys wrote in one of the many pre-trial briefs that already have been submitted to U.S. District Judge A. Howard Matz. For its part, the Foreign Press Assn denies it ever agreed to the so-called perpetuity clause, and its lawyers point to discussions alleged held in 1993 in which both parties discussed a 10-year extension to their partnership. The attorneys further argue that such a perpetuity clause would give DCP an incentive to sign only with NBC, a clear conflict of interest.

In fact, as the Globe telecasts have gained in popularity, other networks have expressed an interest in carrying them. CBS chief Les Moonves will testify -- probably next week -- that he hoped to bring the awards show to his network. Matz already has declined Moonves’ request that he be allowed to testify by video because of his busy schedule.

The judge also has urged the attorneys on both sides to streamline their witness lists and questioning, citing the thousands of pages of documents that already have been submitted in evidence and which, he said, have clearly framed the issues at trial. Matz also has said that the record regarding the alleged perpetuity clause is sufficiently ambiguous that a court trial is required.

What’s not in dispute is the Globe’s popularity and value to NBC. This year’s $17-million fee will rise to an annual $26 million under the terms of the disputed contract. When the network first began airing the awards show in 1996, it paid just $3.7 million per broadcast. DCP and the Hollywood Press Assn. split the revenue from the telecasts. Both have indicated that, whatever the trial’s outcome, they remain committed to the banquet-style format in which stars drink and socialize from one table to another. It’s an atmosphere that lends an air of spontaneity that resonates with viewers—and which has made for more than one memorably Champagne-assisted acceptance speech.

Elton John's Husband Apologizes for Blasting Madonna's Win at Golden Globes

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:59:13 GMT

Elton John's husband has apologized to Madonna for commenting that the Queen of Pop didn't deserve to win the Best Song award at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards. Taking to his Facebook account to clear out any misunderstanding, David Furnish explained that he never meant to offend the Material Girl.

"Wow! What a tempest in a teapot," the 49-year-old filmmaker wrote Thursday, January 19. "My comments regarding The Golden Globes have been blown way out of proportion. My passion for our film 'Gnomeo and Juliet' and belief in Elton's song really got my emotional juices going."

Furnish then stated that Madonna deserved the prize and that he had no hard feelings toward the pop star. He wrote, "But I must say for the record that I do believe Madonna is a great artist, and that Elton and I wish her all the best for next week's premiere of the film 'W.E.'."

Both Elton and Madonna were nominated for the Best Original Song at this year's Golden Globes. The former was nominated for his song "Hello Hello" in animation film "Gnomeo and Juliet", but it was the latter who took home the prize thanks to her single "Masterpiece" from her directorial drama "W.E.".

Shortly after Madge won the award, Furnish vented his anger on Facebook as writing, "Madonna. Best song???? F*** off!!!." He went on ranting, "Madonna winning Best Original Song truly shows how these awards have nothing to do with merit. Her acceptance speech was embarrassing in its narcissism. And her criticism of [Lady] GaGa shows how desperate she really is."

During a backstage interview at the prestigious prize-giving show, Madge told reporters that she hopes there will be no hard feelings between her and the veteran British musician. "I hope he speaks to me for the next couple of years," she said. "He's been known to get mad at me so I don't know. He's brilliant and I adore him so he'll win another award. I don't feel bad!"

Golden Globe Awards: too much of a good thing

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:38:43 GMT

Sixty-eight years ago, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a group of journalists dedicated to covering all that was entertainment, created the Golden Globe Awards. The association is a nonprofit organization that donates millions of dollars to charities, funding scholarships and programs relating to entertainment. Throughout the years, its fame grew, and now, the Golden Globes are viewed by about 199 countries worldwide. Awards shows in many ways can be just like high school; the cliques hang together and the nominees take themselves a little too seriously.

The film industry thinks the Academy Awards (Oscars) rule. Then, there are the Emmys for those in the television “clique.” Another example is the Screen Actors Guild awards. Actors vote on other actors, and those who win will say something along the lines of, “it’s the best because it’s an award from my peers!” If you ask me, it has the earmarks of being ... well, just another popularity contest.

Awards shows tend to be specific to their field of entertainment (Academy Awards for film, the Emmys for TV and the Grammys for music). Unlike those awards shows, which seem to take themselves more seriously, the Golden Globe Awards combine movies and TV ... with plenty of room for fun and games.

This year’s GGs, again hosted by Ricky Gervais, took place Sunday in the Beverly Hilton Hotel in a luxurious, extravagant room filled with round tables, which are conducive to conversation. Celebrities such as George Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rob Lowe, Tina Fey, Mila Kunis and newcomer Rooney Mara chill out, converse and catch up, toasting and cheering for the nominees.

A few years ago, I would have complained endlessly about sitting through three hours of hubbub over who was wearing what, people making sappy acceptance speeches, graciously thanking people who had nothing to do with their success, applause, applause, applause ... blah, blah, blah ... you get it. However, as a wannabe screenwriter, director, producer and TV series creator, I decided to take a look at the incredible Golden Globes.

Was it an absolute blast to see Robert Downey Jr., Brad Pitt, Madonna and the winning Meryl Streep (just to name a few)? Absolutely!Will I ever spend another three hours taking notes on the GGs? Well, let’s just say that unless I win one of these things or I one day morph into someone who enjoys watching grass grow, I won’t be watching the Globes from beginning to end anytime soon.

2012 Golden Globes Red Carpet: Best Dressed

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:48:17 GMT

No one really set my world alight at the 2012 Golden Globes red carpet. Last year was stellar with Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie and Eva Longoria owning the 2011 carpet. While there were some a-maz-ing dresses, some weren't quite right on the people wearing them. For example Elle MacPherson and Sofía Vergara were wearing truly amazing, strapless fishtail dresses, but the dresses left them both looking a bit gaunt and weren't showed off to their full bombshell capabilities.

Having said that, I really loved these ladies and their looks on the red carpet. Charlize Theron looked flapper candy-sweet in her girly Christian Dior dress, while Emma Stone went to the (luxe) dark side with one of her staple designers, Lanvin, and a heavy belt. And speaking of Emma Stone, Heidi Klum must really dig Emma's style as she COMPLETELY ripped off Emma's 2011 Golden Globe Calvin Klein look (have a butchers). As you know, Lea Michele always get my vote and her gunmetal-shimmer Marchesa dress was just plain awesome. Salma Hayek deserves to be on the best dressed list for channelling Elizabeth Taylor like her life depended on it and, last but not least, pretty, pretty Zooey Deschanel in Prada because I'm biased and her hair was soooo shiny.

The British actress and the Belgian designer often vacation together -- and together they cooked up this cool ice blue look.

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:07:17 GMT

Tilda Swinton, nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in the dark drama We Need to Talk About Kevin, is a fashionista's fashionista: she wears avant-garde looks all of the time by Prada, Viktor & Rolf, Jil Sander and YSL on the red carpet. But to this year's Golden Globes, in many ways the most important Hollywood awards show for serious fashion-forward fashion, she wore an unusual and very modern look by her designer best pal Haider Ackermann.

Swinton rarely wears color, so it was almost a shock to see her in this ice-blue metallic fabric, done in a tailored-suit shape that reflected her androgynous public image: the jacket was a bit masculine, and skirt highly feminine with a bit of a train. It's a boon to Ackermann's career, as the Belgian based in Paris is said to be in line to be the next designer of Chanel, when Karl Lagerfeld retires from his throne of many years.
Ackermann's hardly a household name -- but he's sure heading in that direction. Swinton's Globe look will certainly help bring him more recognition. "I adore Haider, and I wear his clothes as often as I can," Swinton told THR. "He's also a very dear friend, I was on vacation with him this summer. Now he can read my mind about what I want to wear."

Golden Globes fashion: Black vs. the rainbow

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:05:21 GMT

MONTREAL - The power of black squared off against the colours of the rainbow at the Golden Globes awards Sunday night. And guess what? Black won as Rooney Mara stepped out in a plunging Nina Ricci gown, edged in net. There was little doubt the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, featured in edgy fashion editorials recently, would stay true to her character’s dark image. But with Nina Ricci there is always a touch of romance to soften any edge.

The plunging neckline highlighted one trend of the evening, as more than a handful of actresses donned dresses with deep plunges, aided and abetted by a little sticky tape. Also in that style’s winner’s circle was Emma Stone in a two-toned Lanvin of deep aubergine and burgundy – with overly smoky eyes.

Charlize Theron wore pink Dior couture, signature big bow at hip, and a sparkling headband. The jewels were Cartier, or Cart-eee-yay, as they say in sunny Cal. Evan Rachel Wood’s plunging Gucci was a dark confection of sequined bodice and feathered skirt – and rather creepy on close inspection.

More than a few also went high-necked, Julianna Margulies, Zooey Deschanel and Jessica Chastain among them, proving fashion is just all over the place.

The stars did not play it safe this season, but aimed for maximum impact. Angelina Jolie aces every awards show, this time rocking a gown by Atelier Versace, the light satin column off-set with a pleated slash of blood red atop a high strapless bodice.

That was the elegant edge of going all out on a fashion limb. Just check out Sarah Michelle Gellar’s blue tie-dye-paint-splatter ballgown by Monique Lhuillier. Gellar’s two-year-old insisted mommy wear the dress, the actress told E. A stylist is born, perhaps?

Also by Lhuillier, a blinding yellow strapless worn by Paula Patton. Not that it looked bad – it just wasn’t safe. Piper Perabo, so perfect in black Oscar de la Renta last year, went for an almost sheer nude ballgown by Theyskens Theory, a risk worth taking. But not so for Dianna Agron in a red gown with a laser-cut bodice of swans, and shredded skirt. Ouch.

Also painful: Madonna in Reem Acra, busting out of her bodice, and her weird accent; Nicole Nicole Kidman in a studded gown by Versace that couldn’t have been tighter; and Lea Michele preening in a bare silver lace gown by Marchesa.

There was much oohing and aahing in the Twittersphere about Claire Danes’s gown by J. Mendel, with a cutout back, embellished cap sleeves and belt, white front, black skirt. Not so sure about that, folks. Another questionable ensemble was Tilda Swinton’s Haider Ackermann three-piecer, in pale blue. Hardly a colour for the high priestess of fashion, one would think.

And Jessica Biel in sparkly lace Victoriana fit for her wedding day, but without her engagement ring or fiancé Justin Timberlake. The two-tone dress was yet another trend. The ever-adorable Deschanel, in custom Prada, sported bright green sequins atop, black skirt below. Cool, and very unlike the sweetheart pink prom dress with red sash she wore to last year’s Emmys. The quirk factor was present in a white beaded collar, barely there back and tuxedo manicured nails.

Kate Winslet was smashing in Jenny Packham with a black satin top and white skirt, quite the contrary to most rules of style. Elizabeth McGovern also played the duo tones, in blue skirt and black strapless bodice, appearing a touch matronly, which of course is her role in Downton Abbey.

Staying true to character, the va-va voom Sofia Vergera chose blue Vera Wang – again – strapless, fitted and hugging every curve. Reese Witherspoon played a similar look in red by Zac Posen, as did The Artist’s Bérénice Bejo, in sapphire. And the cutest little bowtie? On Uggie, The Artist’s Jack Russell.