Appearing on an awards show has a lavish reward
By Nekesa Mumbi Moody
Associated Press
NEW YORK — Britney Spears and Michael Jackson certainly can afford a meal for 10 at a fast-food restaurant. And you know that Tom Hanks and Cameron Diaz can splurge on a $1,300 watch.
But that doesn't stop awards shows from lavishing gifts on the celebrities who appear at their ceremonies. And the gifts keep getting gaudier.
"It's just one of those (instances of) the rich get richer," joked Steve Stein of Hollywood Connection, a company that puts together gift bags for awards shows.
The programs' producers consider such largess a way to thank celebrities, since they don't get paid for appearing.
Presenters at today's Golden Globes will get two first-class plane tickets, a $250 bottle stopper, a certificate to a day spa, a customized sculpture, Microsoft's X-Box game system and his-and-her luxury watches worth about $1,300 each, among other things.
Never mind that most of them are millionaires.
"Whether these people need these products or not is beside the point; it's a way of saying thank you," said Scott Orlin, a board member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which doles out the Golden Globes.
The Golden Globes have found that it's better to give than receive; the association has re-established its credibility in recent years after eschewing gift-taking that had damaged its reputation.
Orlin said most celebs are "very humbled" by the presents — but they also seek them out.
"There have been celebrities who come in (to the) rehearsals and say, 'I heard about that gift bag. Where is it?' " Orlin said. "I think everybody likes to feel appreciated."
Stars at next month's Grammys should feel plenty appreciated.
Besides mints and deodorant, they'll get a Blackberry two-way pager, DKNY jeans, a two-night stay at any Ian Schrager hotel, a 13-inch Philips television, Lalique rings and Casio digital camera watches. The package will be worth $15,000 to $20,000.
The goodies endear the shows to celebs and allow companies who donate goods some publicity.
Stein admits it may appear gauche to hand out freebies to people who don't need them. However, some gift-bag makers, as well as celebrities, donate some items to charity.
But when it comes down to it, they say, the majority of celebs enjoy getting free stuff as much as the rest of us.
"No matter who you are, if you are the bum on the street or Britney Spears ... if someone gives you something for free, you're going to take it and ask for two of them," Stein said.
