My deeply-felt thanks to “Greg In Hollywood” readers for their staunch support over the Emmy snub

By Greg Hernandez on Aug 18, 2010 4:56 pm | Comments (0) |

Greg Hernandez on red carpet at 2008 Emmys

When I wrote last week’s post Greg In Hollywood snubbed by Emmys! about my request for media credentials to cover the Prime-Time Emmy Awards and Creative Arts Emmys being denied, it was for purposes of venting.

But readers who posted comments on the blog as well as on Twitter and Facebook got me a little fired up – and also made me feel extremely grateful for their loyalty and support.

Reader Frankie wrote: I am very dismayed that the Academy has made this arbitrary decision. It was my understanding that they have gone on record supporting efforts to increase participation and include more diversity in all aspects of their work. This shortsightedness again demonstrates that Hollywood is still stuck in the past as it wonders why the TV audience is moving on to other media.

Reader Mike commented: Too bad and is their loss as your site is class all the way, but, I guess they’ll give one to TMZ and the other gossip sites, next year we’ll have to get a petition for you to get your credentials.

Reader Scottzo remarked: Where do we write to express our Gay outrage? I’m thinkin’ email campaign, faxes, letters, boycotts, demonstration… power to the people! Power to the (Gay) press! What about your celebrity friends… they oughta be willing to send a tweet or update a status here and there to get a webroots campaign started! If we can get Betty White on SNL we can get you into the Emmys!

Mario Lopez and Neil Patrick Harris at 2008n

These and other supportive words got me thinking about past Emmys and the unique coverage I have brought to them (this post is peppered with photos I’ve snapped at past ceremonies).

So today, I decided to send emails to various folks at PNKBNC, which is handling credentials for the Television Academy, to ask them to reconsider.

I pointed to my previous coverage and made the point that this is an LGBT entertainment site seeking to cover the awards during a year where there are many LGBT nominees – including three in the outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series category alone.

Kathy Griffin chats up Hoda and Kathy Lee at 2008 Emmys Would this do any good? I do not know. But I had to make every effort to try and be included and to give them an opportunity to do more than send me a form letter.

I got this email just now from PNKBNC’s Lewis Kay sealing my fate once again with essentially the same form letter. But I must say, it was a very speedy reply!

Greg, Unfortunately, due to space limitations, we were forced to make some tough decisions and had to deny many worthy outlets, including yours, from access to the red carpets for both the Creative Arts and Primetime shows. Due to some new elements on both carpets, we have less space this year than in the past.

We aimed to communicate this information with outlets as soon as we were aware of how many outlets we could accommodate. There really is nothing we can do this close to the show.

Once again, I am sorry we cannot make it work this year.

Betty White at 2009 Creative Arts Emmys

Moments later, I got this very speedy – and generic – reply regarding the Creative Arts Emmys:

Greg,

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your interest in the Creative Arts Awards. The red carpet and press room is at capacity and unable to accomodate more outlets. We hope we can work with you in upcoming Television Academy events that would be of interest to your readers.

Thank you.

Best,

PMKBNC

So there it is folks, Greg In Hollywood is shot down twice! I’m not happy about this nor satisfied with the explanations but I did want to go the extra mile for all of you – and for myself.

I’m still excited about the Emmys and all the LGBT nominees. I’ll let you know of my Emmy weekend plans as soon as I firm them up.