The story

For the first several years of its existence, the Golden Globes -- like many other Hollywood awards -- were an insular affair. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which began presenting the awards in 1944, was content to rent a ballroom at a local hotel, hand out trophies to stars or their representatives and generally sponsor a good time.

It wasn't until the late '50s that the awards were televised -- and then only in Los Angeles -- and not until 1966 that they received a national broadcast of their own. (In 1964 and 1965, the Globes were presented on a special segment of "The Andy Williams Show.")

And it's only in the last decade or so, after years of bouncing from network to network, that the Globes have established themselves as a major attraction, consistently with one broadcaster -- NBC -- and just as consistently one of the highest-rated awards shows of the year. Read full article »