Sony VP Verno flays Emmy plans

Battle brewing over awards update

HOLLYWOOD -- Sony Pictures Television exec VP of movies and miniseries Helen Verno called plans to move certain TV movie categories out of the main Emmy telecast "disgusting" and urged producers to write the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences voicing their objections.

Verno, speaking Wednesday morning at a Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors panel on the state of the made-for-TV movie, was responding to reports that the academy intends to move the presentation of six categories out of the Emmy telecast to streamline the show (Daily Variety, Feb. 18). The caucus consists primarily of those who work in the TV movie business, which has retrenched from the days when three major networks scheduled Sunday night movies and the industry generated more than 200 made-fors annually. Today, a minor resurgence has occurred via new outlets on narrower, brand-specific cable nets such as Lifetime, the Hallmark Channel and the Disney Channel.

Some who work in TV movies -- such as Kirk Ellis, writer of the Emmy-winning "John Adams" -- have already reacted negatively to the Emmy revamp plan, which would call for handing out some awards in advance during a half-hour pre-show, then later showing only the acceptance speeches on air.

The academy knew that the decision would merit a strong response, and asked its governors to sign confidentiality agreements to prevent the discussions from becoming public prematurely. In a statement, the academy said that while changes are under consideration, "the number of awards presented on air and the manner in which they are presented will not be determined until the Academy, its broadcast partner, CBS, and the producer have had an opportunity to fully evaluate and agree upon them."

Sources said that's part of what amounts to an escape clause, meaning that the producers will be able to evaluate the relative appeal of the various categories and decide which ones are most expendable after the nominations are announced. Big-name stars might thus keep the movie/miniseries acting field in the telecast, though writing and directing are almost certainly out -- a decision that could cause those guilds to rescind the waivers on clip fees they normally extend to the academy.

The Grammys have pursued a similar approach in deciding which of its awards are actually presented during CBS' live broadcast, and the Tonys have also reduced how many honors are given out live.