NBC pulls 2022 Golden Globes amid HFPA controversy

The 2022 Golden Globes has been pulled by the NBC for the first time in 24 years, amid controversy over lack of diversity.

NBC has pulled out of airing the Golden Globe Awards in 2022, citing the need for “meaningful reform” by the embattled Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

“We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform. However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the HFPA needs time to do it right,” the network said in a statement on Monday.

“As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes. Assuming the organisation executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.”

In addition, three-time Golden Globe winner Tom Cruise, 58, reportedly has returned the trio of statues he received — for Jerry Maguire, Born on the Fourth of July and Magnolia — to the organisation, Deadline reports.

The NBC has been airing the Globes since 1996.

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Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted the 2021 Golden Globes which dropped to record low viewership.

The turmoil had already extended when Black Widow star Scarlett Johansson, 36, suggested that “it is time that we take a step back from the HFPA” in a statement.

She pinpointed “facing sexist questions and remarks by certain HFPA members that bordered on sexual harassment” while promoting film projects during press conferences and awards shows.

On Friday, Netflix announced it would no longer work with the HFPA, with the streaming network’s co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, penning a letter to its leadership. His response came in the wake of an HFPA proposal regarding inclusion earlier in the week.

“We don’t believe these proposed new policies — particularly around the size and speed of membership growth — will tackle the HFPA’s systemic diversity and inclusion challenges, or the lack of clear standards for how your members should operate,” a portion of his statement read.

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US actor Tom Cruise reportedly returned his Golden Globe awards. Picture: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP

“So we’re stopping any activities with your organisation until more meaningful changes are made.”

The HFPA has faced heavy scrutiny for months over alleged diversity and ethical failings within its membership — most notably a lack of black members within the 87-member organisation.

Last month when HFPA board president Phil Berk was ousted for calling Black Lives Matter a “hate movement.”

The ratings for the 2021 awards, hosted on February 28 by Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, dropped to just 6.9 million viewers.

This story originally appeared on NY Post and has been reproduced here with permission

Originally published as NBC pulls 2022 Golden Globes amid HFPA controversy