NBC has pulled out of airing the Golden Globe Awards in 2022, citing the need for “meaningful reform” by the embattled Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
“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,” the network said in a statement Monday, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “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.”
In addition, three-time Golden Globe winner Tom Cruise, 58, reportedly has returned the trio of statues he received — for “Jerry Maguire,” “Born on the Fourth of July” and “Magnolia” — to the organization, Deadline reported Monday. The turmoil had already extended into last week when “Black Widow” star Scarlett Johansson, 36, suggested that “it is time that we take a step back from the HFPA” in a statement. She pinpointed “facing sexist questions and remarks by certain HFPA members that bordered on sexual harassment” while promoting film projects during press conferences and awards shows.
On Friday, Netflix announced it would no longer work with the HFPA, with the streaming network’s co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, penning a letter to its leadership. His response came in the wake of an HFPA proposal regarding inclusion earlier in the week.
“We don’t believe these proposed new policies — particularly around the size and speed of membership growth — will tackle the HFPA’s systemic diversity and inclusion challenges, or the lack of clear standards for how your members should operate,” a portion of his statement read. “So we’re stopping any activities with your organization until more meaningful changes are made.”
The HFPA has faced heavy scrutiny for months over alleged diversity and ethical failings within its membership — most notably a lack of black members within the 87-member organization. Last month, HFPA board president Phil Berk was ousted for calling Black Lives Matter a “hate movement.”
The ratings for the 2021 awards, hosted on Feb. 28 by Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, dropped to just 6.9 million viewers.
