Despite a string of misfortunes, NBC has declared that the Golden Globes will return to network TV as planned for awards season 2023. NBC and Peacock will broadcast the event live from coast to coast in early January. A press release issued by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Dick Clark productions on the occasion of the event’s 80th anniversary (and (vaguely) addressing the controversy surrounding the event’s history) said, in part: We applaud the HFPA’s dedication to continual improvement. There’s no hiding the fact that the Golden Globes’ criteria for nominating a performer or director have left many in the audience and the business scratching their heads on more than one occasion.
Their unusual procedures often resulted in uncomfortable circumstances, such as when they put the horror film Get Out in the Best Comedy or Musical category. Who could forget that time Sony paid for HFPA members to fly to Las Vegas and see a private Cher performance, and then the critically panned musical Burlesque and the critically panned comedy The Tourist were both nominated for Best Picture? None of it compares to the very low number of Black members in the HFPA, the committee that votes in all categories, as was exposed in a 2021 report. As a result of this information, publicists strongly urged their clients (the celebrities who usually occupy the front rows) not to attend the event in 2022, and NBC ultimately decided to scrap the whole thing.
A one-year arrangement “which permits the HFPA and DCP to explore new prospects for local and global distribution across a number of channels in the future” covers the 2023 Golden Globes, per the official press release. This may imply that NBC has no intention of continuing to air the Golden Globes after the upcoming 80th ceremony. After all the controversy surrounding the performance in the past, NBC’s choice to host it is definitely surprising. The addition of 103 new members/voters was also highlighted in the news release; this is the first time that voters from outside the United States have been included in the voting pool. The HFPA Board pledged to increase the percentage of African-American members to at least 13% by the beginning of 2021.
Including the current HFPA members, the Golden Globes’ voting body is currently 52% female and 51.5% racially and ethnically diverse, with 19.5% Latinx, 12% Asian, 10% Black, and 10% Middle Eastern representation. HFPA President Helen Hoehne praised NBC for bringing back the event and emphasised the need of adapting to new circumstances.
“The Golden Globes are returning to NBC, and we couldn’t be more excited to finally throw the “Party of the Year” for fans all around the world. We are thrilled to welcome you back to the Beverly Hilton for this year’s event honouring the greatest in cinema and television.
Despite certain setbacks, the HFPA is still dedicated to making positive changes and backing initiatives that put an emphasis on diversity, inclusiveness, and openness.” Nominations for the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards in cinema and television will be revealed on December 12. On January 10, 2023, NBC will air the Golden Globes, and Peacock will stream the ceremony live. The real mystery is how many A-listers will turn up for the concert.