NBC sources are now clarifying for me exactly where the network stands about suing the WGA. Or are they? (This updates my previous reporting on this fast-breaking story, Sources: NBC & Hollywood Foreign Press May Sue WGA Over No Golden Globes.) "A lot of lawyers out there are trying to point fingers at a lot of people," a network insider just confirmed. I can tell you that, based on my previous conversations with NBC insiders right after the Golden Globes were cancelled, the network was seriously expecting to be sued by Dick Clark Productions and possibly even by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Today, I'm told by NBC that lawyers for the HFPA and Dick Clark Productions are presently in hot pursuit of what they think are possible legal claims against the WGA. But lawyers have also told NBC that the network could take some sort of legal action against the guild as well, network insiders tell me. "So what happened," an NBC source explains, "is a week and a half ago we were approached and asked, if they [the HFPA and Dick Clark Prods] decide to take legal action, would we join their lawsuits. And we said no. And that's it. But they did come to us." 
However, other sources insist to me that it wasn't until today that NBC gave a "no" answer. Nevertheless, if HFPA and/or Dick Clark Productions file lawsuits, NBC will inevitably be dragged into it and no doubt be forced to cooperate. But if Jeff Zucker's "no" truly means "no", then he'll stand a lot taller in the Hollywood community. 2ND UPDATE: Now a spokesperson for Dick Clark Productions just told me that the company "has no intention of suing anyone at this time" and denies NBC's claim of involvement. I understand that prior to the Golden Globes cancellation, DCP did examine all the possible legal remedies it had. But at the time, says a DCP insider, "NBC was rattling their sabers and claiming they were going to sue us." Indeed, my initial sources on this story never claimed that Dick Clark Productions would be involved in any lawsuit. Here's an idea: how about no one sues anyone over the no-go Golden Globes and we call it a day. 3RD UPDATE: NBC confirmed to me later today that the HFPA is planning to sue the WGA for its "secondary boycott" having to do with the guild's decision not to grant an interim agreement or awards waiver to Dick Clark Productions. But get this: network sources also told me "don't be surprised" if NBC winds up pursuing a lawsuit against someone or something from the Golden Globes mess.
Sources: NBC & Hollywood Foreign Press May Sue WGA Over No Golden Globes?
[shrug] It doesn’t make Zucker any less of a gigantic asshole.
To HFPA and dc productions: Bring it.
Comment by Former NBC Hit-Com Writer — February 13, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
And will that suit be met by one against NBC and other members by the WGA for banding together and walking out, thereby not negotiating in good faith as they are required to by law? I think it would be better for everybody to step back and quit posturing and let the industry just get back to work. Let’s stop hurting people and let’s get on with healing. We’ve also got a country to take care of as well… elections and so forth.
Comment by writer person — February 13, 2008 @ 1:41 pm
the power of the pen
nikki for someone often described unfavorably, you are effective and bloodless.
Comment by Buck Zollo — February 13, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
I hope common sense prevails and there are no lawsuits, because all that can do is hurt everyone involved. Sometimes you just have to wash your hands and walk away.
And don’t knock the reporting, the whole hubbub may have been a trial balloon released by NBC folks.
Canadian government agencies do it all the time, they deliberately leak out a story of a plan they’re uncertain of, and if there’s too much outrage, they shelve the plan, and deny that there was ever a plan in the first place.
Someone may have let the story out in order to test the waters, saw the waters turn to vitriol, and backed off.
Comment by Furious D — February 13, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
This is more like it.
The reason IMHO NBC is unlikely to sue is the potential for countersuits and other blowback, none of which they are remotely prepared for.
Comment by mheister — February 13, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
Sounds like more a case of the roaches scurrying when the lights came on than it does a case of bad reporting.
Comment by JJL — February 13, 2008 @ 6:30 pm
Just how stupid are these guys?
Does the HFPA have any conception of what the WGA’s lawyer would to them in discovery?
The truth about their finances, ties to studios, years of emails & who knows what other shit the HFPA may have been involved in or have knowledge of.
Talk about biting yourself in the ass!
I wonder if Zucker & NBC would like to see them destroyed, then they could create their own award show without having to pay the fee to HFPA!
Comment by Unindicted Co-conspirator — February 13, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
Off topic but gimme a pass, Nikki…
Writers,
After the way Variety and the Hollywood Reporter played PR voice for the AMPTP’s cause during the last three months, it’s on all of us to cancel our subscriptions to these ridiculous publications. Send a message to Peter Bart that his better days are behind him.
Comment by Writer4Life — February 13, 2008 @ 8:26 pm
Writer4Life, you couldn’t be more right about Variety and Hollywood Reporter. I wouldn’t wipe a birdcage with either of those publications. I’ll just stick with DHD, thank you.
Comment by Reasonable Writer — February 13, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
“So the previous post, and the fifty or so comments vilifying Zucker, were just absolutely wrong. Great reporting
Comment by ricrhard ”
There is the PR statement and there’s what really happens. NBZucker felt the breeze from the wind blowing against him and bailed on DCP and the HFPA.
You need to learn to understand the subtext and read between the lines because what they actually say is NEVER the truth or real story in Hollywood.
Comment by reelbusy — February 13, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
Isn’t it bad enough that NBC and their AMPTP brethern already got their asses kicked once by the WGA. Now they want to tangle again? What idiots.
Comment by Bring it on! — February 13, 2008 @ 11:18 pm
Good luck to idiotic HFPA and NBC. No one cares about the Golden Globes and no one cares about NBC.
You can bet some a-hole lawyer is behind this moronic pursuit. Lawyers make life miserable for those of us humans.
Comment by idiot lawyers — February 14, 2008 @ 8:28 am
Zucker & common sense don’t usually go together in the same sentence … just like picking a fight with Apple & Steve Jobs for no apparent reason other than he could not seem to grasp running two businesses - launch HULU & sell stuff on iTunes at the same time?
Comment by jbelkin — February 16, 2008 @ 4:52 pm