The Golden Globes show kicks off the Hollywood awards season Sunday with 26 trophies handed out by an array of stars, including teenage pop sensation Justin Bieber.
Comedian Ricky Gervais promises to push the envelope of acceptable TV humor in his second year as host of the glitzy dinner party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
The red-carpet buzz is not entirely on the awards because of a lawsuit filed by two former publicists for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group that controls the show.
The lawsuit accused the HFPA, which is composed of about 85 foreign journalists, of taking gifts and money in exchange for nominations.
The charges came from Michael Russell and Stephen Locascio, who were fired last year from their jobs, which included defending the Golden Globes from similar charges in the past, the lawsuit said.
“Obviously, we see it as sour grapes,” HFPA President Philip Berk told HLN “Showbiz Tonight” co-host Brooke Anderson.
“The King’s Speech” leads the expectations at the 68th annual Golden Globes with seven nominations, competing in almost every category for which the film is eligible.
“The King’s Speech,” starring Colin Firth as a stammering King George VI, competes for the best drama film with “The Social Network,” “Black Swan,” “The Fighter” and sci-fi hit “Inception.”
Firth is also a favorite for best actor in a drama film, versus “Social Network” star Jesse Eisenberg.
Natalie Portman is a favorite for best actress in a drama for her role as a ballerina in “Black Swan.”
Annette Bening, who portrayed a lesbian mom in “The Kids Are All Right,” has been touted as a favorite for best actress in a musical or comedy.
Berk defended this year’s decision to nominate “The Tourist” for best comedy or musical when it did not fair well at the box office or with critics.
“There was a very strong support and genuine enthusiasm among members who loved the movie,” Berk said.
Berk said voters were also “kind of limited in movies to choose.”
“It was not a particularly good year for comedy and musicals,” Berk said.
The lawsuit’s allegations of corruption by the Golden Globes group “are absolutely 100% false,” he said. “I promise that everything that Michael Russell has said about me is not true.”
