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 But with the cloud of sexual harassment hanging over Hollywood's
annual round of self-congratulations, the Golden Globe ceremony
on Sunday marks the first test of how the industry will handle
live on the world's stage a scandal that has rocked show
business.
"This is an issue that is center stage in Hollywood and is
playing out at the award shows," said Tom O'Neil, founder of
awards website GoldDerby.com.
Celebrities and filmmakers who were once major players during
awards season have been shunned, written out of shows or snubbed
in nominations.
Women are planning to wear black on the Golden Globes red carpet
to signal support of sexual harassment victims; a major talent
agency has canceled its annual Golden Globes party to instead
fund legal defense for victims; and the Screen Actors Guild
Awards later in January will feature all female presenters.
The mood ahead of the Oscars on March 4 ranges from nervousness
to eagerness to take a stand.
"Everyone I have been talking to is relishing the opportunity to
make this kind of visibility and attention more meaningful than
simply about the glorification of a single profession," actress
Michelle Williams, who is Golden Globe nominated for "All the
Money in the World," told Reuters.
More than 30 men have accused Kevin Spacey of sexual misconduct
and more than 70 women have made allegations against film
producer Harvey Weinstein.
Dustin Hoffman, comedian Louis C.K. and Jeffrey Tambor are among
dozens of other celebrities, politicians and businessmen who
have been accused of sexual impropriety.
Reuters is unable to independently verify any of the
accusations. Weinstein has denied having any non-consensual sex
with anyone, Spacey apologized to one of his accusers but was
erased from "All the Money in the World" and written out of his
TV series "House of Cards."
Hoffman and Tambor have denied any wrongdoing. C.K. admitted
past misconduct and his movie and TV projects have been dropped.
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"I always saw this awards season as a perfect little bubble where
everything is magical and beautiful because it's movies. I think
what we're realizing now is that it has its own issues that it has
to work on," Emily Gordon, screenwriter for movie "The Big Sick,"
told Reuters
On Sunday, all eyes will be on Golden Globes host Seth Meyers and
how he navigates what is traditionally a boozy celebration and the
elephant in the room.
"He's got an impossible job. He can't ignore the hot button issue in
Hollywood. He's expected to lead a jokathon but it's not a laughing
matter," said O'Neil.
Meyers said on Thursday that he would tackle the issue.
"Fingers crossed we meet the right tone but that's certainly our
goal," he told Reuters Television. "A great thing about the Globes
is that people use it as a platform, and I don't think this year
will be any different."
Hollywood is also at odds with itself. Matt Damon was slammed in
December for suggesting that allegations of rape and inappropriate
touching should not be conflated. Talk show host James Corden was
criticized for joking about Weinstein at a Beverly Hills event in
October, and Rose McGowan accused Meryl Streep of remaining silent
about Weinstein's alleged behavior. Streep denied the accusation and
called for women to unite.
"This is getting to be a whole internecine battle in Hollywood. I
think they are all very nervous," said Pete Hammond, awards
columnist for Deadline.com.
The Golden Globe awards for film and television will be televised
live from Beverly Hills on NBC on Sunday Jan. 7, starting at 8 p.m.
ET/5 p.m. PT (0100 GMT on Monday).
(Additional reporting by Rollo Ross; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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