USA: Crews are busy transforming The Beverly Hilton for the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards

Record ID: 1519660

  • Title: USA: Crews are busy transforming The Beverly Hilton for the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards
  • Date: 18th January 2011
  • Summary: BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 14, 2011) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THE BEVERLY HILTON /SIGN VARIOUS OF CREWS CONSTRUCTION RED CARPET AREA PHILIP BERK, HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, TALKING TO REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIP BERK, HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, SAYING: "We have some of the biggest names as our presenters: we have Tom Hanks; we have Sandra Bullock; we have Robert Downey, Jr. I mean, the list is endless." VARIOUS OF CREWS WORKING ON GOLDEN GLOBE STAGE VARIOUS OF CHANDELIER (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIP BERK, HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, SAYING: "At this point, I would just say that it is actually the outpouring of a disgruntled, former employee. The fact that we are producing the Golden Globes and it is the biggest event of the season, and Michael Russell Group is still looking for representation, speaks for itself." VARIOUS OF CREWS WORKING IN BALLROOM (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHILIP BERK, HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, SAYING: "Ricky does a wonderful job of getting them quiet; the moment Ricky opens his mouth, everybody is paying attention because they fear he's going to be saying something about them. So that's what I think is a great addition to the show, besides his humor, his wit, and the fact that he has such wonderful charm."
  • Embargoed: 1st February 2011 21:37
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAEA9QIUFCN9RNWDQQD7CJGNFWU
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: Preparations are underway for one of Hollywood's biggest nights: the 68th Annual Golden Globe awards on Sunday (January 16). Workers busied themselves outside the Beverly Hilton hotel on Friday (January 14) setting up what will become the red carpet runway for Tinsel Town's A-list.
    But while the Globes are building their stage - they may also need to build a defense. The Globes' former lead publicist, Michael Russell, has filed a 2 million dollar lawsuit, accusing the event's organizers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, of "payola" in connection with the show.
    Among the lawsuit's accusations: that the group accepted lavish vacations, gifts and other perks provided by studios in exchange for support in nominating particular films.
    Hollywood Foreign Press Association president, Philip Berk, said the suit holds no merit.
    "At this point, I would just say that it is actually the outpouring of a disgruntled, former employee. The fact that we are producing the Golden Globes and it is the biggest event of the season, and Michael Russell Group is still looking for representation, speaks for itself," said Berk.
    The lawsuit will likely have little effect in dampening the glitz and glamour of Sunday's show. The turnout is expected to be huge, with the show being hosted for the second year by British actor-comedian Ricky Gervais.
    Among his talents, Gervais' greatest may getting all the celebs to pay attention, said Berk.
    "Ricky does a wonderful job of getting them quiet; the moment Ricky opens his mouth, everybody is paying attention because they fear he's going to be saying something about them."
    Among the highlights of the show is the award for best picture drama. This year's nominees are "Black Swan," "Inception," "The Fighter," "The King's Speech," and "The Social Network."
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