Member-only story
The Golden Globes Are Back On CBS. Here Is Why They Left In The First Place
A tainted award and accusations of bribery
The Golden Globes are back on CBS for the first time since 1982. This is only the second time that CBS has opted to pick up the Golden Globes, and there is a reason why it took over 40 years for the show to return to the household network. The Golden Globes appeared on CBS for a brief two year run in 1981 and 1982, but it ended in controversy. After the 1982 awards show, CBS willingly jettisoned the program and seemingly never looked back until now.
The controversy swirling around the 1982 Golden Globes had to do with the award for best new star and an actress by the name of Pia Zadora. Have you ever heard of Pia Zadora? If not, you are not alone. Many of those in attendance at the Golden Globes had never heard the name either. Everyone was stunned when it was none other than Pia Zadora who claimed the award for best new star of 1982.
There were numerous problems with this coup by the unknown Zadora. First, she was 28 years old at the time and hardly a new star. She had been acting since childhood. Second, few people in attendance had seen the movie that she had been nominated for — Butterfly. The film was a sexual romp exploring incest, among other uncomfortable themes. Lastly, the film had been…
