The 2008 "Best of the West" journalism competition, recognized as the West's most prestigious, is designed to reward journalistic excellence and to promote freedom of information. It is administered by the nonprofit First Amendment Funding and draws entries each year from journalists in the 13 states west of the Rockies:
Category: Special Topic Column Writing
First Place: Nikki Finke, "Deadline Hollywood" newspaper columns, LA Weekly
Judge's comment: "Nikki Finke is a badass. Period. She covers Hollywood with a terminally jaundiced eye for the kind of ridiculousness that people in that world take with the utmost seriousness. Her line about Clint Eastwood, that 'the geriatrics who still make up the majority of Oscar balloters love the guy cuz he's still got a prostate and balls,' is classic. I can even forgive the use of the 'cuz.' On 'The Sopranos' cut-to-black-ending, she wrote, 'Maybe we should all register with the Writers Guild for our residuals, since we had to fill in the blank.' Good stuff, written with passion and an utter disregard whether any of the studio heads, or anyone in 'the industry,' will ever buy her lunch."
(This year, my category was judged by Mike Argento, columnist for the Daily Record in York, Pa., and president of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.)
Congrats Nikki, well deserved!
Comment by Noa — May 14, 2008 @ 1:17 pm
Well deserved, and then some. You’re the best at what you do. Period.
Congrats.
Comment by Dirty Harry — May 14, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Congrats!! A well-deserved award indeed.
Comment by Arrested Development Fan — May 14, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
Congrats, Nikki. You’re the best!!
Comment by David Sobolov — May 14, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
Niki - Congrats! Peer recognition is about as good as it gets. That you’ve been recognized for both your unique voice AND your fearless independence…just terrific validation. Well done! Keep kickin’ it…John Arends.
Comment by John Arends — May 14, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
CONGRATULATIONS NIKKI !!! You SO deserve it. Having opinions and the courage to voice them is a rare thing in this town and you are to be praised for that. In a business full of yes men and people to scared to even think for themselves, you are that rare find. The first amendment personified. Thanks for letting us share in the fun.
Peggy Lane O’Rourke
Comment by Peggy Lane O'Rourke — May 14, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
Congratz!! Well deserved!
Comment by MILLA — May 14, 2008 @ 1:40 pm
Congrats on a well deserved win!
Comment by College Student — May 14, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
Congratulations, Nikki!!!
Comment by Melanie — May 14, 2008 @ 1:57 pm
great news and congratulations, Nikki. Keep up the great work!
Comment by sassy fontaine — May 14, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
You should be applauded for fantastic courage, strength and originality; however, even you are not pure as on several occasions you delete remarks that would ruffle the feathers of a macher.
Comment by equity — May 14, 2008 @ 2:36 pm
Congrats. Nikki!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bet you are doing a Happy Dance all over your house.
Take Care.
Comment by Robin (Charlotte, NC) — May 14, 2008 @ 2:49 pm
Conrats, Nikki! You had that locked up!!
Comment by thatfilmguy — May 14, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
Nikki proves that the best investigative journalism is no longer just in Newspapers or Magazines. Congrats.
Comment by Peggy — May 14, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
Congrats, Nikki. SO WELL DESERVED.
I loved you on the KCRW show the other day too. You kicked butt and left the weasel studio-suck-up suits from Variety and LA Times sucking their thumbs like toddlers. Keep up the Amazing work.
Comment by Sebastian Flyte — May 14, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
Years ago someone tried to provoke a catfight by asking Ethel Merman what she thought of Mary Martin. “Oh, she’s all right,” said the Merm, “if you happen to like talent.” You’re all right, too, Nikki.
Comment by Santayana — May 14, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
You go Nikki! I keep your site up all day for the latest, most reliable info, written with honesty. Keep it up. Nobody does it better.
Comment by It'sShaft! — May 14, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
Congratulations!
The quality of the blog speaks for itself.
Comment by Caroline — May 14, 2008 @ 4:42 pm
You need to change the name of this site to:
Badass Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily
Comment by A Fan — May 14, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
Look at me! Look at me! TOLDJA! I’M NIKKI! WATCH ME! (I think you get the point.) Does your arm hurt from the constant back slapping?
Comment by RickyD — May 14, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
“Funny, funny stuff.” Johnny Carson.
In a world of ass-kissing pseudo journalism your pissy attitude is just the ticket.
Problem is, for every Nikki Finke there’s a thousand Nancy O’Dells.
Thanks.
Comment by Christopher Grove — May 14, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
Amazing, you truly deserve this, it’s the only way international readers can really know what’s going on in hollywood
Comment by dani — May 15, 2008 @ 3:14 am