Golden Globes now a press conference

Courtesy of the writers strike, this Sunday's Golden Globes award ceremony has essentially been cancelled, in favor of a press conference style announcement of the major awards.

Normally I don't pay much attention to the Golden Globes, but with the writers strike affecting this awards show, I'm starting to grow concerned for February's Oscar ceremony—a concern shared by others, it seems.

The developments stand as an ominous sign for the Academy Awards, which are scheduled to air Feb. 24 on ABC. The writers guild refused to grant waivers for its members to work on the Oscars or the Globes.

Disrupting the awards show season, a huge promotional showcase for the entertainment industry, is one way the guild can flex its power and attempt to bring producers back to the table to resume talks that collapsed Dec. 7.

Oscar broadcast producer Gil Cates has vowed there will be a televised show, one way or another.

While I don't have strong feelings about the writers strike, I'm nevertheless crossing my fingers that it doesn't affect the Oscars next month. (Plus, if the Oscars do go press conference on me, it won't be much fun to live-blog.)