First I’d like to ask the question, why do we care what films the Hollywood Foreign Press Association likes? The Golden Globes award program seems like a bunch of hoopla about nothing. Fact, the HFPA, the sponsors of the Golden Globes, is composed of about 100 foreign journalists.

What makes them the ‘experts’ on American films? Who gives this small group of people the right to determine which films or TV programs are valuable or important to the American public? What is the agenda of the organization? Sounds like an ‘elite’ group of people who feel they can influence popular opinion within U.S. popular culture.

I guess what bothers me about all this though is their arrogance — put it on TV and let the public view our decadence, as John Stosell says, “Give me a break”.

For example, each presenter at the Golden Globes received a gift bag worth $38,390. That’s more than some people make as a yearly salary and if you’re interested in what was in the bag here’s the list according to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

• Rosemont Estates and Quantas Airlines Wine Adventure Package $16,000
• Judy Host Photography Package $5,000
• Ehrlooms Diamond Pendant $2,700
• Sports Club LA 6 Month Bi-Coastal Membership $2,250
• Brite Smile Whitening Treatment and Products $1,100
• Missoni Shawl $900
• Chopard Watch $865
• Gianfranco Ferre Travel Bag $650
• P7 cell phone by Haier America $600
• Kiehl’s Gift box of Men’s and Women’s Products $540
• Elisa Ilana Signature Bracelet $430
• Janet Lee Luxury Pet Carrier $400
• Yomo Handbag $400
• Taryn Rose Men’s Shoes Gift Certificate $400
• Michael Aram Decorative Bowl $400
• Persol Men’s and Women’s Sunglasses $350
• Keurig At Home Coffee Brewer $300
• Aviva Stanoff Journals $275
• Swarovski Crystal Ring $255
• Red Envelope Travel Cashmere Set $250
• 2 Rounds of Golf on PGA Tour Course $250
• Nine West Hot Nine Gift Card $250
• Swank Martini Glasses and Shaker $250
• Kinara Spa Gift Certificate $250
• Babystyle Gift Certificate $250
• Mont Blanc Resin Fineline pen $250
• GUCCI men’s and women’s fragrances $250
• Custom Wicker Ottoman $250
• Dell Pocket DJ MP3 Player $200
• Godiva G Collection Box of Chocolates $125

Presenters were Jessica Alba, Pamela Anderson, Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, Adrien Brody, Mariah Carey, Penelope Cruz, Rosario Dawson, Catherine Deneuve, Leonardo DiCaprio, Josh Duhamel, Clint Eastwood, Colin Firth, Harrison Ford, Jamie Foxx, Melanie Griffith, Jill Hennessy, Queen Latifah, Evangeline Lilly, Virginia Madsen, Matthew McConaughey, Tim McGraw, Julian McMahon, Ian McShane, Mandy Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, William Petersen, Natalie Portman, Dennis Quaid, Tim Robbins, Chris Rock, Emmy Rossum, Brandon Routh, Nicollette Sheridan, Hilary Swank, Emma Thompson, John Travolta, Paul Walker, Denzel Washington, Luke Wilson, Renee Zellweger and the cast of “Will and Grace.”

I didn’t watch the Golden Globes, but it seems everyone else did, and the hype is fueled by the popular media because now we’re getting all the highlights of what everyone was wearing. Think, is this really the best use of our time?