Monday, January 18, 2010

The Press Can Party in Hollywood

I'm a sucker for award shows, I always have been. Each year it starts with the Golden Globes (TV & movies) in January, the Oscars (movies) in March, the Tony (Broadway) in June and them Emmy (TV) in September. The only one I'm not that keen about is the Grammy Awards (music). But with all of them there's glitz, there's glamour, there's anticipation. And it's even more fun when you have a party with your friends and you can buy a ballot, check off who you think will win and the person with the most correct wins get the money in the pot.

But last night it was just me watching the Golden Globes. This award show is a little different than the others. First, the awards are given by a group called the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. That's right, THE PRESS, gives out these awards. And THE PRESS knows how to do an awards ceremony which leads me to the second difference, alcohol. Instead of having the awards ceremony in a auditorium full of rows and rows of seats, the Golden Globes ceremony is in a hotel ball room with tables full of foods and alcohol. In the center of the table is a chilled bottle of Moet. And all the Hollywood big wigs are schmoozing, going from table to table or just standing around like they are at a cocktail party. This can make for some interesting introductions or acceptance speeches if someone isn't careful. Jack Nicholson (I who didn't seem to be there this year) comes to mind. Even the "host" this year had a glass of beer (at least it looked like beer) at the podium. Also, the Golden Globes doesn't do an "performances" of songs or long montages (with the exception of the Cecil B. de Mille Lifetime Achievement Award).

The only time I like "performances" is at the Tony Awards. this is the awards for the theater and the performances are like seeing movie previews. You can see a little bit of what's going on on Broadway in case any of those shows make their way out west. But even Broadway, like the movie industry, is finding it hard to come up with original new shows. How many times can they do a revival of West Side Story? Apparently five time since its Broadway debut in 1957 (the fifth revival was in 2009).

And of course, you have to see all the beautiful (or ugly) gowns the women are wearing. Every awards show seems to have its one standout for absolutely hideous outfit (remember Bjork and her "swan dress" or JLo in the revealing foliage shower curtain-like dress?). That's entertainment and only two more months until the Oscars!

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