From Golden Globes Glory to Firestorm Tragedy: Hollywood Execs Reflect
This year kicked off with all the glitz and glamour we’ve come to expect from Hollywood, highlighted by BBC Studios’ big wins at the Golden Globes on January 5, 2025. Mark Linsey, a high-ranking BBC exec who just two years prior made the leap to the City of Angels, was riding high amid the accolades for shows like “Baby Reindeer”. Fast forward two days, and Linsey’s elation evaporated as devastating wildfires unleashed chaos across Los Angeles. Those fires, igniting on January 7, resulted in 29 fatalities, forced 200,000 residents to flee their homes, and destroyed a staggering 18,000 houses. Talk about a reality check!
Linsey’s headspace shifted from award-winning celebrations to gut-wrenching horror. The disaster isn’t just a temporary setback; it’s forced entertainment big wigs to take a hard look at the vulnerability of Hollywood in the face of natural disasters. With the annual London TV Screenings just around the corner, conversations turned to how the industry plans to bounce back—and how it can better prepare for the unpredictable nature of disasters, fire or otherwise.
David George, ITV America’s chief, drew somber comparisons to the 9/11 aftermath in New York, encapsulating how disruptive crises shape our perspectives. Meanwhile, “Shark Tank” EP Phil Gurin shared his own harrowing experience, revealing how he felt like he was living in a post-apocalyptic movie during the wildfire madness. Friends lost everything, while he himself found solace in gathering his most cherished possessions, preparing for an evacuation that could strike at any moment. And let’s face it: when you’re focused on community devastation, dissecting Wednesday night’s TV ratings feels, well, trivial.
Amid the chaos, Linsey expressed admiration for the resilience he saw from the Los Angeles community. Many businesses and families are slowly picking up the pieces, showing a resolve that’s as captivating as any Hollywood storyline. But it’s crucial that the industry learns from this disaster, not just in terms of operations but in the way it supports those who are less fortunate. As we move forward, it’s clear that there’s a lot more at stake than just television ratings—it’s about lives, communities, and the overarching humanity that connects us all.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and BBC, ITV, Deadline, Variety
