The Golden Globes are out to party like it’s 2007 this weekend as studios and networks try to get the festivities circuit back on track after last year’s awards show was party-pooped by the Hollywood writers strike.
This year, the shindigs are back at the Beverly Hilton, the awards venue, but not at all at full force. And some longtime players on the film side are noticeably absent.
Come Sunday night, NBC Universal returns with a rooftop bash. InStyle and Warner Bros. are back in their usual haunt at the Oasis Courtyard — with a live band. And HBO is hunkering down at its traditional poolside perch, Circa 55.
New on the scene will be cable channel AMC, riding high with “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad,” which is throwing a viewing party in the Stardust Room.
One of the great appeals of the Globes parties used to be that everyone partied under essentially one roof — with the hotel lobby acting as party central. But this year, more off-site bashes are ready to go.
Showtime is unveiling for the first time a viewing party and after-party in the Verandah Room at the nearby Peninsula Hotel, turning it into a giant living room with big flat-screens throughout. And Fox Searchlight is hosting a small dinner during the show at Century City restaurant Craft.
Not throwing bashes are the Weinstein Co. — which perennially threw one of the parties to get into at Trader Vic’s — and Paramount.
But in keeping with the economic times, and to not appear like a French aristocracy sipping champagne before the peasantry, some party hosts are trying to tone things down and not boast about how many bottles are being uncorked.
In order to keep costs down, for example, the InStyle/Warners party is re-incorporating some of last year’s unused decor featuring a French theme and described as Hollywood meets boho chic. (But don’t worry — there will still be the Godiva Chocolate Lounge with its eye-catching chocolate look.)
Out of economic interests and environmental concerns, HBO’s Billy Butchkavitz-designed 1960s sexy-themed party is reusing decor from other HBO and charity events, including staging, sets and even carpeting. The decor will then be donated to groups such as the Salvation Army and Out of the Closet.
Also throwing a party Sunday night is Creative Artists Agency, with a late-night whopper at the Sunset Tower Hotel.
Saturday’s festivities include the BAFTA Tea Party, held in the afternoon at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and evening parties hosted by Disney and Miramax at the Beverly Wilshire, LA Confidential at Skybar and a dinner thrown by Paramount Vantage.