Publicists say clients won't cross Globes picket

Earlier, NBC asserted that the Golden Globes show would go on. As it grew later on Friday, questions continued to mount about what that show could possibly be if no one shows up for the ceremony.

Most recently, a consortium of the most powerful publicity agencies -- the ones that represent the bulk of the Globe nominees -- sent a letter to Jeff Zucker, the chief executive of NBC Universal, saying that the "vast majority" of their clients would not cross the picket line. (Zucker oversees NBC, which broadcasts the Globes.)

The consortium released the letter to the press, and here it is, in full:

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

For now, the Globes are still scheduled to be broadcast on Sunday, Jan. 13.

More news on the strike

-- Kate Aurthur

Comments

[Eric if Reseda]

WAY TO GO PUBLICISTS AND THE FOLKS THEY REPRESENT! The WGA picket line is totally legit, that is, the writer's gripes are well-founded. Crossing the line would be a major slap in the face to not only WGA members, but to all who make up this country's beleaguered labor force.

[fly]

GG, pay attention to what happened with Leno. Be brave, have faith. and the people will come. If the awards have any problems with either the militant WGA or the equally subversive SEG, it probably will be the most watched GG in history. People want you to stand strong against these bullies. The more bad press it gets concerning the bad boyz at WGA, the better. Realize this is a war, they want to destroy Hollywood, stand tall and you will be hero's.
Either that or end up like Letterman.....

[no]

Don't show up, don't get the award. Ever. I am sick of these writers changing the goal posts - first it is internet royalties and then they want to add a whole lot of new stuff on the table. I am just a regular TV viewer but I am sick and tired of their whining.

[Jay Glick]

It might be in the best interest of those of us not PERSONALLY involved in the WGA-AMPTP negotiations to READ a newspaper about the issues involved before we weigh in with an opinion. This was NEVER just about internet royalties. To claim that it was shows a disappointing lack of education on the subject. That said, I agree that the Globes should proceed without any talent and with the members of the HFPA and the overpaid heads of studio giving and receiving the awards. Once America gets a look at the vampiric Eastern Europeans who comprise the HFPA this pathetic waste of airtime can finally be dealt a stake through the heart.

[DB]

Let's not forget one thing: The HFPA critics are a relative handful of writers for obsure, unimportant publications, and their awards are really meaningless anyway. The only legit movie awards are the Oscars, which are nominated and voted by their peers.

[Cameron]

Re: No. Don't you loooooove planted comments? I know that I do. Regular TV Viewer, the writers simply want to be compensated fairly for their work and its use. Everything is right about that.

[Mitsu]

I have to say I find the anti-WGA comments, above, rather suspicious --- is the AMPTP paying people to come on these boards and write such things? Does any normal person, other than producers themselves, support the AMPTP? That vast majority of the public seems to have come down on the side of the WGA, and the fact is, the more I read about this strike, the less the AMPTP's "position" makes any sense at all. The $250 "offer" by the AMPTP is laughable, it seemed as though it was designed specifically to be so ludicrously low that it was going to guarantee rejection.

The Internet is the future. For the studios to be unwilling to offer anything substantive with respect to Internet revenues is really beyond comprehension --- they are obviously not negotiating in good faith, from my perspective. Furthermore they want original Internet content not to be subject to any past residuals agreement either? So, they could just show something online first, THEN broadcast it, and get out of even paying normal residuals? The whole thing obviously stinks .... it's complete insanity.

Grow up, studios: Hollywood works best when everyone works together. The writers are your golden goose, they provide the content that you guys are making so much money selling. If you keep this up long enough, you're going to find that the creative people of the world will wake up one day and realize they don't need you as much as you need them --- and they'll find ways to make money off their work directly, without involving you. You're shooting yourselves in the foot, the leg, the stomach, and the head, with this ill-advised move.

And no, I'm not a writer, not related in any way to the WGA, not paid by the WGA, etc. I'm simply a concerned citizen and consumer of TV and film, like everyone else. And it's pretty obvious to me --- as Robin WIlliams put it, the AMPTP's tactics are pure insanity. Wake up and get back to the bargaining table and work out a fair deal for everyone, yourselves included.

[JoeCanad]

Actually, the Globes are in fact very important because it show the vote on foreign writers from all over the world on what's the best in Hollywood cinema without the potential bias of Oscars' voters, mostly the same ones that produce, direct, act and distribute the films that are on competition. That gives the Globes a different kind of relevance -as important as the Oscars-, maybe not in Hollywoodland, but certainly in the rest of the world. And what establish that a publication is 'obscure' and 'unimportant' because is not from the U.S.? I think that what someone would consider is an important publication in the U.S., could also mean nothing for readers and moviegoers from Europe, Asia or Latin America.

[Andrew Hyatt Masset]

Damn the torpedos full sink ahead!!!
All this bruhaha about producers screwing writers, actors and the business in general has no merit!! They are only doing what comes natural to them. The bigger their paycheck the better and screw the writers, directors actors and services, pre and post. Hell, they have the Directors and actors negotiations on the heels of this fiasco and , God forbid, they bargain in good faith, they will seem weak and beatable. Oh well, since we are all in this incestouse family anyway, we onle watch as we screw ourselves on every level. There is NO BUSINESS LIKE NO SHOW BUSINESS!!!!

[nick hronis]

I was on the picket line at CBS Hollywood when WGA board member Ron Bass came to us and we voted to picket the Golden Globes. I appreciate very much that the actors clearly understand that this fight is their fight, and we cannot have business as usual. Those of us on the line thank SAG for their unity in this mutual fight for economic justice.

[Barney Oldfield]

Maybe they will role out Pia Zodora again.

[Bruce]

Go ahead WGA, keep up your hissy fit. Bring down the entire industry if you want But what I can't figure out is that since the quality of writing has been soooo lousy for years, how come you only claim to be on strike since Novenber?

[Ana Maria]

Who knew so many average folk used catchphrases like "militant WGA" and "bullies" when referring to members of the Writers' Guild---who, incidentally, create the content "regular TV viewers" view?

Curious...

Now, before you accuse the WGA of "bringing down Hollywood" in this "war," look at the facts. I believe it was the big media CEOs (AMPTP corporations) who walked away from the negotiating table 29 days ago. (Maybe their fat wallets make it uncomfortable to sit for extended periods.)

[Barbara]

Talk to each other and just settle this thing. Go to arbitration if necessary.

[Steve]

Members of WGA, do you feel oppressed? Did the American public or foreign correspondents oppress you? We know that you're not working for minimum-wage or 100 hour work-weeks, while being driven by a taskmaster. WGA is obviously way out of control, isn't getting the picture and is out of touch with reality. Time for a new WGA president or a negotiations team that can negotiate. The writers of today, for the most part, produce garbage. Television ratings are down, movies bring in more dollars, only because they charge more for tickets. Sorry folks, but when you design, build and sell something, like aircraft, ships or automobiles, I don't expect a residual check for a one-time job, every time my design is used. WGA can stay out on strike and gain the wrath of the other unions which are responsible for Make-Up, Lighting, SFX, Electrical, Camera crews, so forth and the other businesses that rely upon the industry, such as restaurants and the hospitality industry. Actors and actresses who have "made it" can afford to pass on the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. Forget the Internet package and settle on more dollars per hour!!! For most Americans, there is enough material in the re-run world to keep us happy.

[James]

Don't cross the lines, everyone stay on strike. How long before the large portion of you folks lose everything you have? Wise up. It's like the olden days, bitch about the studio bosses or the "factory heads" (isn't much different than the auto industry) but those that have the most to invest have the most to lose. If you all want a large stake and a large return why don't you put your homes up for collateral on the next loser movie.

[Dan Zee]

Yeah, but Dick Clark Productions agreed to the same terms as David Latterman's WorldWide Pants did and the Guild told them it wasn't good enough.

Also, the Globes are incredibly valuable as a marketing asset and quite frequently predict what the Oscars will do.

It looks like the WGA is being vindictive, using their power to cancel the Globes so that movie producers won't have access to the show's marketing value.

[acousticb1@email.phoenix.edu]

Im a writer.....novel writer and I support WGA. Im not eligible for membership yet. Anyone who crosses the picket line is a scab