Of course, no one will admit whether this is being done because of the WGA strike. But CBS has confirmed that the annual People's Choice Awards will be broadcast January 8th. "The show will go on. The People’s Choice tradition on CBS will continue and we plan to introduce some new ideas in the process." A source told me earlier today that "they are trying to tape winners giving 'Thank you's with clips to air. No press allowed. No red carpet." Presumably the event will be picketed by striking writers.
I know what you're thinking: who watches these phony baloney awards and who cares?
But, presuming you do, the "new magazine-style format" hosted by Queen Latifah will feature acceptance remarks as well as answers to questions from their fans. The show's producers claim this will "give fans a more personal glimpse into the lives of their favorite actors and musicians”. But the previously filmed pieces also help the show avoid making celebrities cross WGA picket lines.
I just want to say that the only people that will respond to that taping are in Reality. SAG members, stay away from CBS.
Comment by Jessy S. — December 19, 2007 @ 1:43 pm
I’m so picturing Joan Crawford sitting up in bed as she accepts her Oscar for Mildred Pierce.
I have the feeling that this is how the Oscars and Golden Globes will go too.
Good.
All those shows are too long.
And the People’s Choice Awards are irrelevant now and always have been.
Comment by Christina — December 19, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
And we’ll all be anxious to see who CBS can get to tape a clip for them…
Comment by Writer — December 19, 2007 @ 2:01 pm
I say HELL YES. Let’s cancel the Golden Globes and the Oscars, too. It’s all leverage; the studios can’t ignore it forever.
Comment by Caitlin — December 19, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
“No press allowed.”
Hmmmm?
I wonder why? Why wouldn’t they want any fair impartial news reporters or “writers” there?
Oh. Right. Never mind. They don’t need the press. They have VARIETY!
Comment by Larry Vigus - SAG member — December 19, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
Wait a tick…they’re debuting a new ‘format’…yeah…that’s the ticket
Comment by Pete Fanning — December 19, 2007 @ 3:20 pm
Maybe this will be the end of the People’s Choice Awards for good.
Comment by Tired feet — December 19, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
“And the People’s Choice Awards are irrelevant now and always have been.”
Sorry, Christina, but the People’s Choice Awards are the only ones that matter.
The Globes are voted on by a few, stuffed shirt critics. Who cares?
The Oscars are nothing more than a high school popularity contest.
Ditto the Emmys.
The People’s Choice Awards are voted on BY THE PEOPLE. You know, the little people that actually PAY to see movies and buy the products advertised on TV?
Out of all the stupid awards shows, The People’s Choice Awards is the only one that IS relevant.
Comment by JoeCool — December 19, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
People’s Choice Awards - An extraneous awards show based entirely on the premise of “filling a room with celebrities equals ratings.” See also “Golden Globes,” “MTV Movie Awards,” etc.
Comment by Big Deal — December 19, 2007 @ 4:18 pm
Maybe this will be the end of the sham that is known as the People’s Choice Awards once and for all.
Comment by tired feet — December 19, 2007 @ 4:26 pm
Some leverage. Everyone on the planet knows those awards shows suck. The world is better off without them. Far as I’m concerned, the WGA is doing everyone a favor.
Comment by ChuckT — December 19, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
Hollywood is slowly decreasing the very thing it is fighting for- a piece of the pie.
If the writer’s and the studioheads don’t come to some sort of agreement soon, the public will turn to other forms of entertainment to keep them busy- books! What a concept!
Then, they won’t need the People’s Choice Awards, The Golden Globes, or The Oscars, because the public won’t care!
Enoughs enough!
I was for the writers in the beginning, but now I think this is a deadlock struggle that no one will truly win.
And, the sad thing is, the writer’s that really could have benefited from this (plus the misc other people that put together tvs and movies) are having a crummy Holiday season because they are out of work and not getting paid. How ironic.
I can’t wait to see what advertisers do about this change in the tv lineup next year. They are not going to pay prime dollars to show commercials during repeats. Without a February or May sweeps month, the studios and networks are going to lose money. Again, how ironic!
Soon this piece of the pie they are all fighting for will be nothing more than a poptart!
Comment by kc fan — December 19, 2007 @ 5:34 pm
the taped format allows them redact any reference to the strike from the show.
Comment by perry — December 19, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
I’d love to hear from a writer who actually makes money off writing award shows. I hear a bunch of “let’s cancel them once and for all.” But, what would that represent? Twenty or so writers that will no longer get that yearly gig? That’s certainly worth the pennies you’re all fighting for.
Comment by I'm not a shill but all of you sound shrill — December 19, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
Some one want to put together a Picketer’s Choice video for the Internet? Tape celebs little speeches from celebs who show up at the picket lines or who refuse to tape segments for this People’s Choice award?
Comment by Anonymous — December 19, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
great, let the studios now know how suck it is when they refuse to pay their writers in fairly. better cancel all the award shows too, and then they will realize not just losing any new release next year, but also losing the great opportunity to promote the shows they have on hand.
Comment by andy — December 19, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Joe Cool,
The People’s Choice Awards are voted on BY THE PEOPLE. You know, the little people that actually PAY to see movies and buy the products advertised on TV?”
Which people? ALL the people? Nah. I don’t think so.
I have long had a grudge against The People’s Choice Awards since they don’t take votes from the people representing each state and reaching far into each state. If they can’t survey votes from Seattle to Key West, then don’t bother.
I’d rather they did away with this worthless fluff of a show. Same goes for the Golden Globes.
Comment by Becca — December 20, 2007 @ 4:23 am
Hmm…perhaps this is a preview of a new “format” for the “Oscars” next year. I love how they’re spinning all this by saying, “‘We’re excited to pilot a new format for the People’s Choice Awards this year,’ “. What a crock.
Comment by Truthinista — December 20, 2007 @ 7:31 am
The only star who brags about having a People’s Choice Award (because it IS so irrelevant) is Jennifer Lopez.
Nuff said.
Comment by Christina — December 20, 2007 @ 8:26 am
Becca, the People’s Choice Awards are totally bogus, because it’s on the Internet. Which means that anyone can stuff the ballot who wants to go to the minimal trouble to do so - consider Michael Moore. They admitted that his gazillion votes were ballot-stuffing and they still gave him is an award for his mockumentary.
Comment by Sasha — December 20, 2007 @ 5:11 pm