The Hollywood Foreign Press Association received an enormous blow on Monday when NBC announced that they would not be airing the 2022 Golden Globes. It’s the latest in a series of huge hits the HFPA has taken as Hollywood’s demand has become clear: shape up or get out.
“We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform,” NBC said. “However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the HFPA needs time to do it right. As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes. Assuming the organization executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.”
The reckoning began when the Los Angeles Times did a deep dive on the weird politics, backdoor dealing and lack of representation in the HFPA. The group has released a new set of reforms meant to bring more transparency to the voting process, limit the sorts of gifts members can receive and up the amount of diversity among its ranks. NBC seems to be in favor of the reforms, but reports suggest they doubted the HFPA’s seriousness about following through. Canceling the ceremony shows they mean business.
And they weren’t alone. Netflix and Amazon both pulled out of contention for the awards, and no less a major awards presence than Scarlett Johansson said she wanted no part in the show, saying she’d faced questions from members that “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. “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.” Her fellow MCU alum Mark Ruffalo told the Globes to “do better” and said of his own recent win that he did not feel “proud or happy about being a recipient of this award.”
Tom Cruise went one step further, apparently returning his three Golden Globes to the HFPA offices.
In a statement, the HFPA said that they are trying.
“Because we understand the urgency and issue of transparency, we will be continuously updating the members and the public as we move forward in making our organization more inclusive and diverse,” they said. “We understand that the hard work starts now and we remain dedicated to becoming a better organization and an example of diversity, transparency, and accountability in the industry.”