The Golden Globes AREN'T in HD??? WTF NBC? They are really that cheap, aren't they.

Yeah, I'm shocked. What the hell?

I'm almost certain it was HD last year, but can't remember for sure.

The Golden Globes AREN'T in HD??? WTF NBC? They are really that cheap, aren't they.

Yes, they certainly are cheap, and from what Zucker (I think thats who said it) said, they will only continue to put the bare mimimum on in HD, while they transition away from 1hr dramas, to more reality programming. Tartikoff would be pissed to see NBC today.

Yeah, but Zucker has far more important things to work on.

He is about the announce a fourth hour of The Today Show. How is that for daring imagination?

If NBC's goal is to drive away HD viewers then they are doing a great job of it. I don't think there is a single NBC show I watch anymore. I don't understand NBC's thinking. Most of the industry is moving towards HD yet they are content to drop it.

I'm almost certain it was HD last year, but can't remember for sure.
I check the archive and there was no mention of it being in HD last year.

If NBC's goal is to drive away HD viewers then they are doing a great job of it. I don't think there is a single NBC show I watch anymore. I don't understand NBC's thinking. Most of the industry is moving towards HD yet they are content to drop it.

You're missing great TV then. Heroes, Studio 60, FNL, Earl, The Office, Scrubs, ER etc etc

I suppose one can make an argument for NBC being cheap (though the real culprit is most likely Dick Clark Productions - who is notorious for not spending more money than necessary). I myself was at once both, mildly surprised to see the show in SD but not surprised at the same time. For all the hype the Golden Globes is a relatively low-budget award show. There isnt nearly the level of production that goes into this show as say The Academy Awards or the Grammys - two shows that command an audience and HD budget. If Dick Clark Productions and NBC have found a financial formula that works for this show (which is it what it appears seeing as the show has been produced exactly the same way for years now), they're probably not going to stop. The Emmys have yet to be done in HD.

Also a movie awards show introduces interesting challenges that can easily cause the post-production budget to skyrocket. Because the networks prohibit airing live events in letterbox, the issue arises of how show a movie clip that's in an aspect ratio other than 16:9 or 4:3. Anamorphic for example is a particular obstacle. For the Oscars this generally means having to edit every nomination package, every montage, every bumper, every music package and animation twice to be able preserve original aspect ratio for both a 16:9 audience and a 4:3 audience. This also generally dictates redundant SD/HD equipment to facilitate some sort of dual feed for both the SD and HD network.

The first year the Oscars were in HD in 2003, it literally took two trucks (one SD & one HD) with identical gear slaved to each other. If a clip rolled from a Profile in the HD truck, it would trigger the profile in the SD truck to simultaneously roll the HD clip and each truck thus sent out a feed to its respective audience. When you add graphics and 5:1 audio, as well the myriad of up and downconversion you can easily see how doing a movie awards show properly in HD can easily cause the budget to spiral.

If NBC's goal is to drive away HD viewers then they are doing a great job of it. I don't think there is a single NBC show I watch anymore. I don't understand NBC's thinking. Most of the industry is moving towards HD yet they are content to drop it.

What did NBC drop?

As far as I know, the Globes have never been in HD.

And by the way, NBC's ratings are up this year.

And if you are missing some of NBC's shows (Friday Night Lightsfor one prime example) it is your loss.

Hyperbole often shows more about the person using it than those he is trying to criticize.

I e-mailed my displeasure, as well as the fact that I changed the channel because it wasn't in HD. Hope many others did as well. It's 2007, not 1957. 35 million HD sets (with 1/2 of them currently receiving HD) in Americans households. I understand 9 million HD sets were sold this holiday season --- and Superbowl coming up. Good luck with your direction NBC.

What did NBC drop?

As far as I know, the Globes have never been in HD.

And by the way, NBC's ratings are up this year.

And if you are missing some of NBC's shows (Friday Night Lightsfor one prime example) it is your loss.

Hyperbole often shows more about the person using it than those he is trying to criticize.

Ratings don't equal quality and if they don't have shows the guy likes, then so be it. It isn't anyones loss if he doesn't like the shows Fred. The wife and I enjoy the Law and Order's and I like Heroes, but outside of that, there isn't much I like either. From what I saw of FNL, I'm not missing much either, but if you like it, great, I am happy for you, but don't assume what YOU think is good, is good for everyone. ;)

Personally, I support people not watching NBC, if they are going to follow through on Zucker's claim that HD isn't a priority, and as such, they aren't going to be taking advantage of it, like the other networks are.

Ratings don't equal quality...
But they directly affect the bottom line of these media companies and that is the ultimate concern for GE (NBCU) and the other broadcasters.

But they directly affect the bottom line of these media companies and that is the ultimate concern for GE (NBCU) and the other broadcasters.

Yes, but he was talking about in the context that ratings height equals quality, and thats not the case. I have NEVER been a fan of The Simpsons, but it gets good ratings. I can name you countless films that were popular, that I hated. Bottom line aside, and I see what you are saying, I don't care for the idea of supporting a network, or a show, simply because its what "most viewers" do, especially when they are shunning HD more than any other major network.

From what I can see it looks like a composite backhaul. IMO NBC's upconverts and decoding generally look better than other networks. The show is also originating from a much smaller venue compared to other award shows.

From what I can see it looks like a composite backhaul. IMO NBC's upconverts and decoding generally look better than other networks. The show is also originating from a much smaller venue compared to other award shows.

I'm pretty sure they used one of the NEP Denali trucks for this show which is a component digital outfit (this does not preclude NBC from deciding to send out the backhaul in composite though)

Ok, it wasn't in HD, never was in HD, and NBC & Dick Clark Productions are to blame.

Is Dick Clark or NBC to blame? What little I saw of his New Year's Eve show was HD and live to boot from Times Square. Maybe it's not him.

The show is also originating from a much smaller venue compared to other award shows.


I've been numerous times and can tell you why - they serve Dinner.

...and remember it was on TBS until not that long ago - no real network wanted it as it wasn't a big ratings getter.

The fact is, the Golden Globes is actually a giant scam anyway - you people that think a few people can stuff the ballot box for the Nielsen ratings (they can't) - you would never believe how few votes there are on the Golden Globes and what the Studios do to get those votes (remember, its the Foreign Press voting as well - let's not forget Olympic Figure Skating).

And for the love of god why anyone thinks it is an Oscar indicator......

(remember, its the Foreign Press voting as well - let's not forget Olympic Figure Skating).

OOOOooooooo let the racial slurs begin ! :eek: :mad:

Foreigners can't hold "secret ballots" and Americans invented democracy in 1776.

OOOOooooooo Hollywood is the biggest movie making center in the world ! Foreigners can't make movies or TV shows. Hollywood invented acting........

More racial slurs .... please. :mad:

Is Dick Clark or NBC to blame? What little I saw of his New Year's Eve show was HD and live to boot from Times Square. Maybe it's not him.

Well both are to blame, but I'd say Dick Clark Productions shares the bulk of the burden since they are the ones who produce the show, and they are the ones who can decide where the budget goes. However if NBC underbudgets the show, then there isnt much DCP can do.

I've been numerous times and can tell you why - they serve Dinner.

...and remember it was on TBS until not that long ago - no real network wanted it as it wasn't a big ratings getter.

The fact is, the Golden Globes is actually a giant scam anyway - you people that think a few people can stuff the ballot box for the Nielsen ratings (they can't) - you would never believe how few votes there are on the Golden Globes and what the Studios do to get those votes (remember, its the Foreign Press voting as well - let's not forget Olympic Figure Skating).

And for the love of god why anyone thinks it is an Oscar indicator......

Somewhat related these awards being a scam...

My wife was watching the E! coverage before the show started and they actually played a commercial for Dreamgirls that boasted about all of the Golden Globes that it won, even though they hadn't even been announced yet :confused:

Here is the entire voting membership of the HFPA, taken from its website:

HFPA Active Members
Paoula Abou-Jaoude Brazil
Vera Anderson Bulgaria, Mexico
Ray Arco Canada
Rocio Ayuso Spain
Anita Baum Argentina
Gilda Baum-Lappe Mexico
Yani Begakis Greece, Japan
Philip Berk Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong
Elmar Biebl Germany
Silvia Bizio Italy
Jorge Camara Dominican Republic
Isabelle Caron France
Jean-Paul Chaillet France
Myung Chan Choi South Korea
Rui Henriques Coimbra Portugal
Jenny Cooney Carrillo Australia, New Zealand
Jean E. Cummings Japan
Yola Czaderska-Hayek Poland
Ersi Danou Greece
Noel de Souza India
Gabrielle Donnelly United Kingdom
George Doss Egypt
Mahfouz Doss Egypt
Maureen Dragone Thailand
Dagmar Dunlevy Canada
Armando Gallo Italy
Margaret Gardiner South Africa
Avik Gilboa United Kingdom
Mike Goodridge United Kingdom
Andre Guimond Canada
John Hiscock United Kingdom
Helen Hoehne Germany
Anke Hofmann Germany
Nellee A. Holmes Russia
Munawar Hosain Germany
Yoram Kahana Estonia
Erkki "Erik" Kanto Finland
Theo Kingma The Netherlands
Ahmed Lateef Hong Kong
Kleo Lee Greece, Japan
Elisa Leonelli Italy, Spain
Gabriel Lerman Costa Rica
Emanuel Levy Israel
Lisa Lu China, Taiwan
Howard Lucraft United Kingdom
Lilly Lui Hong Kong
Ramzi Malouki Tahiti, Tunisia
Helena Mar-Elia Lebanon
Lawrie Masterson Australia, New Zealand
Paz Mata Spain
Juliette Michaud France
Max B. Miller United Kingdom
Aud Berggren Morisse Norway
Yukiko Nakajima Japan
Yoko Narita Japan
Aniko Navai Hungary
Ruben V. Nepales Philippines
Alexander Nevsky Russia
Yenny Nun-Katz Chile, Peru
Scott Orlin Germany
Mira Panajotovic Serbia
Alena Prime Tahiti
Serge Rakhlin Latvia, Russia
Patrick Roth Germany
Mohammed Rouda United Arab Emirates
Frank Rousseau Belgium, France
Marianne Ruuth France, Sweden
Ali Sar Russia
Frances Schoenberger Germany
Elisabeth Sereda Austria
Maria Snoeys-Lagler Belgium
Judy Solomon Israel
Lorenzo Soria Italy
Hans J. Spurkel Austria, Switzerland
Aida Takla-O'Reilly Egypt
Meher Tatna Malaysia, Singapore
Jack Tewksbury Argentina, Thailand, Russia
Lynn M. Tso Taiwan
Alessandra Venezia Italy
Marlene von Arx Switzerland
Jerry Watson United Kingdom
Anita Weber Japan,
South Africa, United Kingdom
Noemia Young Canada

New Members
Mario Amaya Colombia
H. J. Park Korea

Lifetime Members
Edmund Brettschneider
BJ Franklin
Helmut Voss

Affiliate Members
Vivi Anderson
Frances Jeane Appel
Kiki Brettschneider
Karen Martin

I wouldn't say it is a scam, but the HFPA membership is tiny, most members are not major writers (many, if not most are free-lancers living in LA) and they love getting the perks (can you say free DVDs?) the annual awards show brings them.

That being said, The Golden Globes is one of the more entertaining shows and doesn't take itself too seriously. No fluff, no fillers, just lots of stars -- and you never know who will try to make his/her acceptance speech while drunk.

Maybe the Oscar and Emmy folks could take some notes to helkp their stodgy and pretentious programs.

OOOOooooooo let the racial slurs begin ! :eek: :mad:

Foreigners can't hold "secret ballots" and Americans invented democracy in 1776.

OOOOooooooo Hollywood is the biggest movie making center in the world ! Foreigners can't make movies or TV shows. Hollywood invented acting........

More racial slurs .... please. :mad:

Get a Life - Europe and Australia would be Foreign Press as well.

The fact that Fredfa listed THE ENTIRE LIST of who votes - and the TINY LIST OF WHO VOTES - and the Studios hire outside PR Firms to cater to this list ALL YEAR so when voting time comes and the PR Firm pushes the film.........

Now, ask yourself a question - why do they print every name of everyone who votes? Wouldn't want to stack the deck to get you on every A List event for the year would it?

And I bet up until this point only Fredfa and maybe a very few others on AVS ever knew that all voting members of the Foreign Press were known and how small the vote actually is.

At least the Academy Awards has votes significant enough that a few cannot stack the deck.

Now maybe if you are saying that the Foreign Press is less than 100 people and so America does have a greater democracy because of such - then we would be closer than your rant.

I wouldn't say it is a scam, but the HFPA membership is tiny, most members are not major writers (many, if not most are free-lancers living in LA) and they love getting the perks (can you say free DVDs?) the annual awards show brings them.


They get A LOT MORE than free DVDs.

Get a Life - Europe and Australia would be Foreign Press as well.

The fact that Fredfa listed THE ENTIRE LIST of who votes - and the TINY LIST OF WHO VOTES - and the Studios hire outside PR Firms to cater to this list ALL YEAR so when voting time comes and the PR Firm pushes the film.........

Now, ask yourself a question - why do they print every name of everyone who votes? Wouldn't want to stack the deck to get you on every A List event for the year would it?

And I bet up until this point only Fredfa and maybe a very few others on AVS ever knew that all voting members of the Foreign Press were known and how small the vote actually is.

At least the Academy Awards has votes significant enough that a few cannot stack the deck.

Now maybe if you are saying that the Foreign Press is less than 100 people and so America does have a greater democracy because of such - then we would be closer than your rant.

Actually I was loving your throw away line about them being foreign so they could not organise a "secret ballot".

Your dismissive terminology just showed the off-hand racism that appears all over the USA.

Maybe the rest of your arguments are true about the ballot but the way you made them, "they are foreign so they are corrupt", irritated me so much that I had to reply.

Your dismissive terminology just showed the off-hand racism that appears all over the USA.

It's not racism. Maybe a touch of nationalism or xenephobia, but certainly not something you won't find in every other country to some degree.

That said, the "foreign press" (HFPA) is a joke but at least it throws a great party.

Racism???

The Golden Globe award ceremony was for years a joke that received scant attention because the number of voters was so small. It wasn't until the studios figured out how they could use the Golden Globes to lobby for Academy awards that anyone noticed.

Racism???

The Golden Globe award ceremony was for years a joke that received scant attention because the number of voters was so small. It wasn't until the studios figured out how they could use the Golden Globes to lobby for Academy awards that anyone noticed.


DING! DING! DING! We have a winner.

Actually I was loving your throw away line about them being foreign so they could not organise a "secret ballot".

Your dismissive terminology just showed the off-hand racism that appears all over the USA.

Maybe the rest of your arguments are true about the ballot but the way you made them, "they are foreign so they are corrupt", irritated me so much that I had to reply.

Let me give it to you in reality. L.A. is a VERY EXPENSIVE PLACE.

When you look at the average income of some of these Countries that the double digit Foreign Press Voters come from, what they are paid, and what they have to cover from the endless amount of money and glitz in Hollywood, its a temptation ANYONE would have a hard time resisting. You don't think the Studios go out of their way to buy good American Press either?

If you have any doubts, again, look at the Olympic Selection Committee. How many members took bribes that were American?

Look at the figure skating scoring scandal - no Americans involved there.

Sorry, but I can state that in the last 20 years, the people most likely to hijack a plane in the USA are Muslims - is that an incorrect statement? NO!

Does that mean that all Muslims are bad? Hell no! I am stating based on FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE as stated above, the Hollywood Foreign Press is as corrupt as the Olympic Site Selection Committee or the Olympic Skating Judges.

Does that mean all Americans are stand up citizens? Hell no again. Look at Enron and Worldcomm - among others.

But this is a thread on the Golden Globes which is a sham - it is not a thread on the American Press Awards - so please, don't put words in my mouth or try to make something into something it's not.

Again, I doubt that there was anyone who has responded to this thread knew that there were less than 100 voters for the Golden Globes besides Fred and myself before Fred posted the list - and how easy the ballot box can be stuffed.

And btw, less than 100 is a 4x improvement. There were only 25 fifteen years ago.