The Golden Globes at a Glance

What: 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards

When: Jan. 16, 2006

Where: Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills

Broadcast: NBC, 8 p.m. EST

Who decides? The Golden Globes are chosen annually by the 90-plus members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

What's the procedure? Over the course of the year, HFPA members screen domestic and foreign films (more than 250) as well as domestic TV series.

Backstory: The Golden Globes began as film awards in 1943; a TV category was added in 1956. The show was first broadcast in 1958 in L.A., and went national in 1964 as a segment on "The Andy Williams Show." Until 1956, HFPA members were the ones who handed out the Golden Globe trophies. But that year Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. stormed the stage, armed with cocktails and smokes, and took over the show. The Rat Pack coup went over so well that the HFPA asked for a repeat performance the following year. Stars awarding stars swiftly became the norm.

More is better: Because dramas and comedies/musicals are awarded separately, the HFPA gives out twice as many major Globes trophies as the Academy does Oscars statuettes each year. Add to that the fact that the Golden Globes feature stars of TV and movies, and it's clear why the show draws a crowd. As Tinseltown outsiders, members of the Hollywood foreign press provide a fresh perspective and often honor stars who are overlooked by the Academy (think Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Jim Carrey). Also, the Globes' festivities are held over dinner, which creates a party atmosphere that's entirely different from Oscars night.

The hardware: A golden globe mounted on a pedestal, symbolizing the world of entertainment artistry.

Key dates
Nomination ballots due: Dec. 10, 2005
Nominations announced: Dec. 13, 2005, 5 a.m. PST at the Beverly Hilton Hotel
Final ballots due: Jan. 11, 2006

Official site

Contact info
HFPA
646 N. Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: 310-657-1731
Fax: 310-657-5576
E-mail: info@hfpa.org