In Contention

Bring the pretty

Written by

in

(left to right) Anthony Mackie, Jeremy Renner and Brian GeraghtyI never thought I’d have to mention Taylor Lautner in two separate posts in one day, but life is full of surprises that way. Still, this tidbit can’t pass without comment. In a NYT piece (spotted via Vulture) on ratings tactics for Sunday’s Golden Globes telecast, Brooks Barnes mines this foot-in-mouth groaner from aptly-named HFPA president Philip Berk:

“Anybody connected with ‘Nine’ is going to be sitting ringside,” he said … Lining up younger stars has been a priority. Seated with “The Hurt Locker” contingent will be Taylor Lautner, the beefcake star of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.” “He will be there to make the table look glamorous,” Mr. Berk said.

Gee, way to make the talents behind the year’s most celebrated film feel welcome. For the record, I’ve met Kathryn Bigelow in person and can assure you that she doesn’t lack for glamor. And are its male stars really so hard on the eye? Hope no one’s losing their plus-one privileges for this.

Comments

27 responses to “Bring the pretty”

  1. theoriginal.andrew Avatar
    theoriginal.andrew

    Well, awards shows about ratings, not the awards itself. I understand that the HFPA and the Academy do such moves just to attract more people and increase their ratings. That’s the only way they can count with getting a contractual renewal from their networks. But honestly, I’m so sick of the teenagers that make those ‘actors’ such a big thing. Like the whole Taylor Whatever-his-name-is.

  2. theoriginal.andrew Avatar
    theoriginal.andrew

    I meant awards shows ARE about ratings. Hate iphone’s keyboard.

  3. Guy Lodge Avatar

    I can understand the thinking. But really, saying it like that is tactless in the extreme.

  4. theoriginal.andrew Avatar
    theoriginal.andrew

    Oh, totally, Guy. So, Lautner brings the glamour to a bunch of unglamorous people from The Hurt Locker. Anyway, it’s the Golden Globes.

  5. red_wine Avatar
    red_wine

    I will honestly stop cheering on The Hurt Locker if Taylor whatever sits at its table. And right you are Guy, Bigelow is a magnificent looking woman.

  6. red_wine Avatar
    red_wine

    But seriously how humiliating is this. You make a razzie nominee sit at the table of the most celebrated film of the year for ratings??? The HFPA are such star-fuckers and so out of touch.

    I bet The Hurt Locker’s table will be way back with the TV people, angry depressing small ugly low-budget film that it is whereas the star loaded Up In the Air and Nine would be almost touching the dais.

  7. Robert Hamer Avatar
    Robert Hamer

    Guess they’re going to announce Kristen Stewart sitting at the Precious table to make it look “glamorous.”

  8. Yogsam Avatar
    Yogsam

    Humiliation at is best, folks!!!

  9. theoriginal.andrew Avatar
    theoriginal.andrew

    Well, that makes me think that Nine and Daniel Day-Lewis might win for that horrific musical.

    The Globes should bring back the World Film Favourite category once more so that way they wouldn’t have to justify the presence of such moronic ‘celebrities’ if they nominate them.

  10. theoriginal.andrew Avatar
    theoriginal.andrew

    They probably will sit Gabby Sibide backstage because she’s a fat bitch.

  11. Guy Lodge Avatar

    That was uncalled for, Andrew.

  12. Chris138 Avatar
    Chris138

    Ah, another reason as to why I don’t watch the Golden Globes…

  13. Alex in Movieland Avatar

    the GG guy was such a jerk saying that!

    I’m looking at the photo with the Hurt Locker MEN and all I see it hotness, which is not what you get with a 17 yo boy posing as a boy toy

  14. Adam Smith Avatar
    Adam Smith

    Seconded on the whole “totally tactless” thing. I mean, it’s not like this would have been something hard to fake without saying straight up what they’re trying to do–The Hurt Locker and New Moon are both Summit productions, so they could have just easily lumped them together for that reason.

    And Guy, I haven’t heard anyone use the word “berk” since Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so thank you. I knew there was a reason we keep you Brits around. :P

  15. Jonathan Spuij Avatar

    Well at least the Globes producers are honest about their intentions. However idiotic they may be.
    And yes, Bigelow is hot. Sorry, but a female action-director is simply very, very sexy.

  16. ninja Avatar
    ninja

    This was tactless and uncalled for remark but it also just revealed that HL is winning the Picture Globe. What Berk is really saying is “We are apologizing to you our dear dozens of millions audience for awarding the movie few of you have seen but here`s Taylor Lautner to make the night enjoyable when movies you`ve actually seen (which are why you are here with us infront of your TVs) don`t pick up the gold .”

  17. evelyn garver Avatar
    evelyn garver

    Can the HFPA truly think that they will lure TWILIGHT fans by planting this kid in a distinguished group of artists? The core audience for Lautner watches the VMAs, not the Globes.

  18. Patryk Avatar
    Patryk

    “The Hurt Locker” cast is veeery easy on the eye, indeed. What a quack this Berk is. What is he smoking? Renner should have been nominated and this year I hope he pulls off an Adrien Brody type of upset at the Oscars.

  19. Loyal Avatar

    “And are its male stars really so hard on the eye?”

    Jeremy Renner looks like a worn shoe.

  20. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    Taylor Lautner looks like an inbred pug-bulldog manchild on steroids. I can’t hear about that flavor-of-the-month fool anymore.

    How overtly insulting a move like that would be, particularly when Renner, Mackie, and Geraghty (sp??) are all wonderful-looking and far more talented men.

    Just…..RAGHHH…..

    [shakes fist at the scandal and outrage]

  21. Chase K. Avatar

    Alright, this might be heresy, but is Kathryn Bigelow really that hot? I mean, she’s attractive to a certain degree, don’t get me wrong, but drop-dead gorgeous?

    Is this just an over-reaction because she directs testosterone-fueled action films, so it adds like an extra dose or two? I’m thinking if she directed “The Holiday” and “It’s Complicated” that everyone would just say, “okay, nice looking woman, but…”

  22. Paul Outlaw Avatar
    Paul Outlaw

    Worn shoes can be very sexy, especially if one has a boot fetish.

  23. Jonathan Spuij Avatar

    So, will he take his shirt off too?

    Chase K. there’s nothing sexy about a women directing romantic comedies.

  24. Adam Smith Avatar
    Adam Smith

    @Chase K.: Well, attraction/hotness/sexiness/etc. is more than just appearance. So, yeah, the fact that she’s clearly a badass at what she does, and the fact that what she does is impeccably directing action films, is pretty fucking sexy.

  25. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    She also looks insanely great for her age.

    ….but I’m failing to see how any of this is relevant.

  26. The Other James D. Avatar

    Anyone here, straight/gay/vagina-impaired, who’d bang Jeremy Renner before an even-if-he-were-legal Taylor Lautner, holla back.

  27. geewiz Avatar
    geewiz

    Not surprising to hear Phil Berk , the biggest dipshit of the whole HFPA lot say such a stupid thing. these people are SUPREME sycophants with not an ounce of credibility. you give them a free lunch, stay at the four seasons, first class airfare, the whole bit and a blu-ray dvd player and you’ve got your nomination. losers.