Hey movie and TV fans you know the Golden Globes right? That award show with all the buzz the gowns and sometimes a little bit of drama. Well things just got interesting behind the scenes. Turns out the Golden Globes are ditching a pretty unusual practice paying their voting members .
No More $75K Paychecks for Golden Globes Voters: Wait What?
Yep you heard it right. For years some folks voting for the Golden Globes were actually getting paid a salary a hefty one at that around $75000 a year! But that is changing now. The president of the Golden Globes Helen Hoehne announced in a Zoom call that this policy is done. That's a lot of cash to hand out just for voting especially when you consider it could maybe you know influence those votes.
Why the Sudden Change? Bias Concerns and a New Chapter for the Globes
So why pull the plug on the payments now? The Golden Globes themselves are saying it is about fairness. They admitted that "continuing to pay members could add to a perception of bias in voting." Basically they are worried people might think the voters are being swayed by the salary not just picking the best movies and shows. Makes sense right? Other big awards like the Oscars Emmys and Grammys don't pay their voters. It's usually seen as an honor to be part of the voting process. The Golden Globes are trying to get in line with that standard.
Severance and a Chance to Stay On: What Happens to the Paid Voters?
For the 50 or so members who were getting those paychecks the Golden Globes offered a deal. They are getting a severance payment of $102500 each. That's a decent chunk of change to soften the blow of losing the salary. Plus these members can still stick around as Golden Globe voters at least until 2026. They just won't be getting paid for it anymore. They have to re-apply each year like everyone else.
From Scandal to Reform: A Quick Golden Globes Backstory
If you're scratching your head about why this is a big deal you gotta know a little history. The Golden Globes used to be handed out by a small group called the Hollywood Foreign Press Association or HFPA . This group was made up of international journalists. But the HFPA got into hot water a few years back. There were big questions about their ethics financial stuff and even a lack of diversity. A Los Angeles Times investigation in 2021 really put them under the spotlight showing they had zero Black members and were paying members for committee work stuff.
Hollywood basically froze them out. NBC even stopped airing the Golden Globes in 2022. The HFPA had to make some serious changes. Eventually a media company called Penske Media Eldridge which owns big entertainment news outlets like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter bought the Golden Globes and turned it into a for-profit thing. They expanded the voting body to 300 people from 85 countries to try and clean things up and get back in Hollywood's good graces.
Were Paid Voters Ever a Good Idea? A Look at the Controversy
The idea of paying Golden Globes voters was always a bit weird and definitely not the norm. Think about it would you trust an election if the voters were getting paid? Even though the Golden Globes argued it was to "professionalize" things a lot of people saw it as a potential conflict of interest. Todd Boehly who helped buy the Globes even defended the payments at one point saying "I don’t know why a paid journalist can’t also vote on something. Where’s the rule that says that?” But in the end the perception of bias was too strong to ignore. Getting rid of the salaries is a step towards making the Globes seem more legit again.
Golden Globes Trying to Rebuild: TV Ratings are Up But Trust Still Needs to Be Earned
The Golden Globes have been working hard to bounce back. They got back on TV in 2023 and even landed a new deal with CBS. Viewer numbers have actually gone up for the last couple of shows which is a good sign. But fixing the image problem takes time. Ending the voter salaries is another move to show they are serious about reform and want to be taken seriously again as a major award show. Will it work? We will have to see but it is definitely a step in a different direction.
Key Takeaways: Golden Globes Voter Salary Shakeup
- Golden Globes ends policy of paying $75000 annual salaries to some voting members.
- Decision made to avoid "perception of bias" in voting.
- 50 affected members offered $102500 severance.
- These members can re-apply to be unpaid voters.
- Move follows years of HFPA scandal and reform efforts.
- Golden Globes now a for-profit entity owned by Penske Media Eldridge.
- Other major awards shows like Oscars Emmys Grammys do not pay voters.