By Kofi Outlaw

Apparently the holidays didn’t leave everybody feeling jolly.

The WGA, which has been on strike since Nov. 5, announced this week that they would not make any deals that would allow network NBC to broadcast this year’s Golden Globe Awards, which were scheduled for Jan. 13.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. and Dick Clark Productions, who own and operate the annual awards ceremony, had been pressuring the WGA to strike some sort of interim deal, which would allow the picket line to be crossed so that writers could spin the speeches and jokes that Golden Globes relies on. The WGA’s continued resistance has the Globes now facing an uncertain future.

“The WGA has great respect and admiration for the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.,” came the official statement from the Writers Guild Camp, “but we are engaged in a crucial struggle that will protect our income and intellectual property rights for generations to come. We will continue to do everything in our power to bring industry negotiations to a fair conclusion. In the meantime, we are grateful for the ongoing support of the Hollywood talent community.”

To counter-maneuver the announcement by the WGA, the HFPA has hinted that it may accuse the striking organization of favoritism: the WGA has already given waivers for the SAG and Spirit Awards, allowing those ceremonies to move forward unencumbered.

“Much like the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Film Independent’s Spirit Awards, we want to enter into an agreement with the WGA that will allow the entertainment industry to celebrate the outstanding work of creative individuals in addition to millions of fans nationwide,” said HFPA prexy Jorge Camara in a statement. “It is only fair that we be afforded the same opportunity as these other awards shows.”

The Screen Actors Guild has already released a statement pledging their support for the WGA’s cause, urging their members to appear only at those shows and venues approved by the WGA. Stars themselves are understandably on the fence, not wanting to upset the writers by supporting the HFPA and the Globes—but also not wanting to upset the studios who brought their nominated movies to fruition, by speaking out against the famed Awards show.

Meanwhile, the HFPA is up against the wall. With the Golden Globes a mere ten days away, Hollywood’s roster of studio reps, star handlers and party planners (pre-parties and after-parties for the show are planned and paid for,months in advance,) are all waiting with grit teeth for a final decision on whether or not the Golden Globes will try to proceed as planned, sans the not so clever turns of phrase provided by the Writers Guild. Whatever the outcome, be sure it will have a direct effect on how the Academy Awards are handled this spring.

Should the WGA fall back and let NBC broadcast the Golden Globes for our amusement? Or should the organization stick to its guns and really hit Hollywood where it hurts: in its party-bone? Rant back and tell us what you think about this latest development in “the TV season that never was.”