Due to concerns over representation within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and its reformation efforts, the Golden Globes will not be taking place on NBC in 2022, Deadline reports.
While the network said it belives the HFPA is committed to reforming, it “takes time and work,” and the HFPA “needs time to do it right,” NBC said in a statement.
“Assuming the organization executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023,” the network added.
HFPA released their own statement, outlining their timeline of enacting reforms.
Regardless of the next air date of the Golden Globes, implementing transformational changes as quickly – and as thoughtfully – as possible remains the top priority for our organization.
We invite our partners in the industry to the table to work with us on the systemic reform that is long overdue, both in our organization as well as within the industry at large.
Our below timeline demonstrates our commitment to achieving these goals with extreme urgency:
HFPA – Reform Milestones
Week of May 3
Members meet, consider, and overwhelmingly vote to approve and implement the Board’s plan for transformational change
Board continues to meet with advocacy groups to develop initiatives to fulfill the HFPA’s commitment to add at least 20 new members by August 2021 and increase membership by 50% in 18 months
Eradicating the new member one year moratorium on voting; All new members will have all voting rights day 1.
Board and members approve hiring of Ropes & Gray to amend and restate Bylaws and other governing documents to implement member-approved plan for transformational change
Weeks of May 10 and 17
Revise and approve new Code of conduct in consultation with Publicists and studios
Continue outreach to potential new member candidates
Publish Code of Conduct and establish Hotline for reporting of violations
Engage independent third party investigator to review and respond promptly to all Hotline claims
Interview candidates and engage new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) consultant
Identify and recruit independent, outside professionals and non-Board members and form Accountability/Oversight Board (“Advisory Board”) to oversee HFPA Board in implementing plan for transformational change
Interview Executive Search Firms to commence search for Chief DEI/HR Officer and identification of potential CEO/CFO and other executives to lead HFPA
HFPA website to be continuously updated to show progress against plan and to list promised Member information (biographies, publications, affiliations, etc.)
Weeks of May 24 and 31
New DEI Consultant and other outside experts conduct mandatory member trainings for DEI and sexual harassment
Board and Advisory Board continue work on identification of applicants to fulfill commitment to add at least 20 new members by August 2021
Grants Officer and subcommittee of members continue work to increase support of internship, mentorship, and scholarship programs for students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in international journalism
Identify and recruit independent, outside professionals for new Credentials Committee, which will oversee new membership application process and reaccreditation of current members based on same criteria as new members
Continue review of committee structure / compensation
First reading of Bylaw Amendments at General Membership Meeting (“GMM”)
Weeks of June 7, 14, and 21
Focus groups with members, Advisory Board, and Ropes & Gray to review amendments to Bylaws and other governing documents
Board assesses and evaluates recommendations of Executive Search Firm for new Executive Officer team
Form new Credentials Committee
All above work streams on trainings, mentorship, and recruitment continue
Week of June 28
Second reading of Bylaw Amendments at GMM
Ballots for voting on Bylaw Amendments mailed to members
Implement new policies on Gifts, Travel, Conflicts of Interest, and Press Conferences
Week of July 5
Members vote on Bylaw Amendments by ballot
Weeks of 12 and 19
Approved Bylaw Amendments become effective
New Officer and Board elections under amended and restated Bylaws
New membership process opens per new criteria enacted in amended and restated Bylaws
All existing members required to meet same standards as new members for reaccreditation of their membership
Week of July 26
New member process continues
Reaccreditation continues
Week of August 2
New members admitted to HFPA
New Board elected, including independent members, in accordance with amended and restated Bylaws
New CEO/CFO and other Executive Team approved and engaged to manage HFPA
Existing Board and Officers resign upon election of New Board and hiring of Executive Team
Deadline also reported that Tom Cruise has returned his three Golden Globes to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association headquarters. They include his Best Actor award for Jerry Maguire, Best Actorfor Born on the Fourth of July, and his Best Supporting Actor trophy for Magnolia.
Cruise is the latest in a growing list of celebrities to stand against the HFPA, in light of its recent controversies tied to lack of diversity and representation within its own ranks. Just a few days ago, Scarlett Johansson released a statement urging the industry to “step back” from the HFPA, specifically calling out the HFPA for failing to address sexism among its core membership.
“As an actor promoting a film, one is expected to participate in awards season by attending press conferences as well as awards shows. In the past, this has often meant facing sexist questions and remarks by certain HFPA members that bordered on sexual harassment. It is the exact reason why I, for many years, refused to participate in their conferences,” the Golden Globe nominee said in a statement. “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. 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.”
These latest developments come weeks after the HFPA cut ties with former president Phil Berk, who, in a leaked email, shared a post that called Black Lives Matter a “racist hate movement.” Before that, the HFPA said its board would oversee diversity and transparency reforms “in consultation with outside advisors.” The HFPA’s Black membership is currently zero out of its 87 total members. It aims to admit 20 new members in 2021, increasing membership by 50 percent over the next 18 months.
