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Despite the saying “the show must go on,” NBC doesn’t think this applies to the Golden Globes due to the controversy the Hollywood Foreign Press Association faces for its alleged lack of diversity. “We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform. 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,” NBC said in a statement on Monday.
According to the network, they don’t consider this decision is permanent. If the organization “executes on its plan,” NBC is “hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.”
In February, the Los Angeles Times started investigating the HFPA for its absence of Black members. Such investigations raised concerns about ethical practices, making the 87-member group and non-profit organization of journalists and photographers release a statement assuring they will “bring in” Black members.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Norwegian entertainment journalist, Kjersti Flaa, had been denied membership in the group. According to the publication, Flaa accused the HFPA of institutionalizing a “culture of corruption,” labeling them “as a kind of cartel” that doesn’t consider qualified applicants.
Flaa states members accept “thousands of dollars in emoluments” from film studios, networks, and celebrities. Such alleged practices are covered in the so-called “code of silence.”
On top of the controversy, Tom Cruise has returned his three Golden Globes in protest. The actor shipped back his awards for the movies, Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire, and Magnolia, as reported by The Guardian.
The newspaper informed that Netflix, WarnerMedia and actress Scarlett Johansson asked the industry to take action. “Unless there is necessary fundamental reform within the organization, I believe it is time that we take a step back from the HFPA,” Johansson said.
Dozens of PR firms representing the film industry also said they would “continue to refrain from any HFPA-sanctioned events, including press conferences, unless and until these issues are illuminated in detail with a firm commitment to a timeline.”