Golden Globes: Ribbons for Haiti

I don't know what to think about the Golden Globes and Hollywood and pampered celebrities with ribbons plastered on their designer gowns and formal wear.

Surely, some of them are truly concerned about the Haiti earthquake victims and put others before themselves. Some of them understand what matters in this life and are good caring people.

So do they really need to wear those ribbons?

It's not as if the audience needs the stars to preach and remind us about the suffering in Haiti. We know there has been a devastating earthquake. A roomful of filthy rich stars don't need to raise our awareness about that. They don't need to tell us to donate to relief efforts. We know what to do without being told or encouraged by them.

Actually, I think what the stars really might be doing when they wear those ribbons is trying to get viewers to identify them as compassionate rather than spoiled, empty-headed celebrities engaged in frivolous matters. Maybe they feel guilty for being so fortunate and privileged. I don't know.

From the Hollywood Reporter:

Sequined dresses and slick lapels were stamped with red, yellow and blue ribbons Sunday at the Golden Globes.

Signifying "support of the people of Haiti," the tri-color ribbons were available in baskets at the entrance to the Beverly Hilton. Few stars passed up the opportunity, though that support rarely broke into presenters' or winners' speeches once they reached the stage.

Reporters hanging out backstage before the show were betting the over/under on how many times Haiti would be mentioned onstage during the show. Some guesses were in triple digits -- the lower-end guesses, that is.

Overall, however, the count ended up much, much lower.


...Host Ricky Gervais skipped the opportunity, mainly because his opening monologue was only about four sentences long. First presenter Nicole Kidman wasted no time informing audiences in the room and at home that they can make donations through NBC, and that George Clooney's "Hope for Haiti" telethon Friday would be raising money for the cause.

I really don't like the whole ribbon routine.

It seems rather self-serving more than anything else.

They shouldn't have to broadcast that they care.