CBS has set Friday, Nov. 14 as the date for the first televised edition of the Hollywood Film Awards. The Eye is hoping to rake in strong demographic ratings by attracting Oscar hopefuls to a telecast that will be billed as the launch of Hollywood’s awards season. The two-hour kudocast will air live (taped delayed on the West Coast) from the Hollywood Palladium.
CBS is also planning a 7:30 p.m. red carpet pre-show and 10 p.m. post-show hosted by its “CBS Morning Show” team of Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell. CBS set a multi-year pact with Dick Clark Prods. in January to carry the awards starting this year. The kudos, founded in 1997 by Carlos de Abreu, were previously held in mid-October.
In the past there’s been much skepticism about the selection process for the winners, determined by what the fest has described as advisors made up of a “cross-section of Hollywood professionals.”
There are no nominations per se, just “honorees” chosen in various categories. Last year, awards were given out in 25 categories, and the top film winner was chosen by an online poll conducted in partnership with Yahoo. Still, the Hollywood Film Awards have become a draw for top talent on the awards campaign trail.
In announcing the air date, CBS said the award winners “are identified and selected by an Advisory and Selection team of film industry insiders and executives, and are based on the honorees’ body of work and/or a film that is to be released during the calendar year.”
Dick Clark Prods. is also produces the annual Golden Globe Awards telecast on NBC, a January event that might lose some of its clout as an Oscar predictor if the Hollywood Film Awards take root with viewers and industryites.
