BYU NewsNet - Hollywood Writer's Strike Affects Awards Show, BYU Students

By Lisa Harding

A night that is usually buzzing with bling, red carpet and celebrities fell flat Sunday night as the Golden Globe Awards mummed through Beverly Hills without so much as one Paris Hilton sighting or effusive "thank you" speech.

The Golden Globe Awards, usually touted as the first, big event in a season of award ceremonies, was replaced with a brief press-conference-style announcement of this year's winners. The lack of ceremony is due to the recent writer's strike that has been plaguing the entertainment world for the last two months.

Writers threatened to protest the event if organizers proceeded with the usual de rigueur of the night. Nominees and other stars refused to cross picket lines, leaving the red carpet noticeably bare.

The scant celebrity showing also manifested itself in viewer ratings. The Globes, which drew over 18 million viewers last year, enticed only 5 million Americans Sunday night. This paltry performance landed the ceremony in fourth place for viewer ratings.

How is this strike on so many entertainment venues affecting BYU students?

"I think it's awesome," said Dave Peterson from Bethesda, Md. "I love that it is happening. It has made bare all the people addicted to television. I get a kick out of the thousands crying foul like addicts at a rehab."

"They [the writers] get paid enough," said Whitney Allen from Sandy, Utah. "They should be grateful for what they get."

However, other students express their woes about missing their favorite television shows. "We need the campaign jokes," said Lori Barker from Cody, Neb. "No one has them and it makes me sad."

"How am I supposed to watch new episodes of 'The Office' on Thursday night? It's terrible," said Sam Swainhart from Fort Thomas, Ky. "I hate the writers and their strike."

A slight break in the icy strike negotiations is expected as the Director's Guild of America has begun individual negations with producers. It is hoped that other writers will follow suit. Until then, BYU students will have to stick with the next best option on Thursday nights: homework.