Wednesday afternoon, the organizers of the Golden Globes issued a statement about possibly getting a waiver to let striking writers work on the awards show -- thus ensuring a picket-free red carpet.

Absent from the statement was any comment from the Writers Guild. That came later in the day, and it popped the optimistic balloon the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which hands out the Globes, had floated earlier in the day.

So, essentially, the Golden Globes are right back where they were. Ten days from the ceremony's scheduled Jan. 13 airdate on NBC, it's very likely the show will be picketed, and members of other Hollywood unions will have to decide whether to cross that picket line to attend.

Early Wednesday afternoon, Hollywood Foreign Press President Jorge Camara issued a statement saying the group's lawyers had begun discussions with the WGA about signing an agreement that would allow the Golden Globes to employ guild members. Camara cited the deal writers struck with David Letterman's company, Worldwide Pants, that allowed his show to return with writers on Wednesday night.

"Much like the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Film Independent's Spirit Awards" -- for which the Writers Guild has granted waivers -- "we want to enter into an agreement with the WGA that will allow the entertainment industry to celebrate the outstanding work of creative individuals in addition to millions of fans nationwide," Camara said. "It is only fair that we be afforded the same opportunity as these other awards shows."

Camara added that Dick Clark Productions, which produces the Globes telecast, was willing to offer interim agreements for all of its productions, which also include the American Music Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Later in the day, however, the guild issued a brief statement suggesting no deal would be coming soon: "Dick Clark Productions is a struck company. As previously announced, the Writers Guild will be picketing the Golden Globe Awards," it read.

The guild statement expressed "great respect and admiration" for the Hollywood Foreign Press, but added that "we are engaged in a crucial struggle that will protect our income and intellectual property rights for generations to come. We will continue to do everything in our power to bring industry negotiations to a fair conclusion. In the meantime, we are grateful for the ongoing support of the Hollywood talent community."