Not surprisingly I am significantly more qualified to review the television nominations than the film awards since strangely the television categories generally skew towards popular shows as opposed to those that are critically acclaimed by a group of pretentious film critics. Surprising but I suppose even foreign film critics like to slum it and watch television like the rest of us. Plus, while many of these esteemed films are showing in only two cities until the week before the awards show the television shows are available now on multiple forms of media for anyone to see at nearly any time.
Best Television Series - Drama
I can only imagine that they are mostly looking at last spring for their nominations because 24 hasn’t started the current season yet and anyone who has watched Lost knows that this season so far has been far less than must see television and far less gripping than last year’s golden globe winning season. Grey’s Anatomy has not shown any signs of a sophomore slump and is certainly the most watched of the nominees. The nomination of Heroes does show that at least a few people turned on their televisions this fall and were unafraid to nominate the most exciting new show on television. I suppose that Big Love’s nomination shows that the foreign press at least has a premium channel though the continued absence of Battlestar Galactica makes me wonder if they all avoid basic cable. Battlestar Galactica continues to have some of the most complex characters and involving storylines on television and the two episode escape from New Caprica episodes were some of the most stunning and theatrical things ever put directly to television. This one will go to 24 for the best season yet for the impressively testosterone filled show. Note that 24 also won in 2004 but it seems a sin to reward a good season and then pass over a great season.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama
There are no real surprises in this category Patricia Arquette, Edie Falco, and Kyra Sedgewick are all repeat nominees and past winners of a number of awards. Note that Edie Falco is the lone nominee from The Sopranos which did not receive nomination as best television drama or indeed any other acting nominations. The stalwarts are joined by Evangeline Lilly and Ellen Pompeo from big hit shows. Perhaps this shows that people are burning out on procedural dramas? Not to beat a dead horse but if one person should be nominated from Battlestar Galactica it is Mary MacDonald as President Rosilyn. What is always a shame is that the best actress categories are generally thin but the supporting category, which is not split between drama and comedy, is overflowing and has some glaring omissions. Expect that only one woman on Grey’s Anatomy will win an acting award and then decide if you favor Ellen Pompeo as Best Actress or Katherine Heigl as Best Supporting Actress.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama
There are certainly a wide variety of roles out there these days for actors as the nominations span turns for everything from a serial killer, to a Mormon husband and father, to a couple of doctors. Previous winners Kiefer Sutherland and Hugh Laurie are back sharing space with an interesting group. Patrick Dempsey gets a nod as the other nominated doctor with Dr. McDreamy. Added to the mix are two familiar faces from cable, Michael C. Hall for his impressive turn as a serial killer in (Showtime’s) Dexter and Bill Paxton as a Mormon with three wives in HBO’s Big Love. Hugh Laurie won last year but this year it’s Jack Bauer’s turn as Kiefer Sutherland finally get his due for all of the running he has done over the past five seasons.
Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical
It is nice to see that in the wasteland that has become comedy on television that there are a few bright stars worthy of nomination. How they will rack up in the history of legendary television comedy is debatable but until the half hour comedy returns in full blossom this is the best of what we have. ABC has two entries with a revitalized Desperate Housewives and freshman comedy Ugly Betty. Of course Desperate Housewives took home the globe both of the last two years despite a significant drop-off in quality last year. Now that they are better expect the voters to look elsewhere. The Office was surprisingly absent last year so the foreign press will make up for the oversight by giving them the award this year though the won in 2004. This is especially good since The Office is far and away the best comedy on television. The only concern with the foreign press is their interest in seeing Ugly Betty succeed since it was born from a telenova and has a greater foreign following. The nominees look much the same as last year with Desperate Housewives, Entourage, and Weeds again representing some of the best comedy on television. My Name is Earl is noticeably missing this time around.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Just like the series category for comedy is a repeat so are most of the names on the nomination list. Julia Louis-Dreyfus the Emmy winner from this year is nominated for The New Adventures of Old Christine as is America Ferrera for Ugly Betty. They join Marcia Cross and Felicity Huffman from Desperate housewives and Mary-Louise Parker for Weeds. As much as Weeds is a great show apparently not enough of the awards voters have Showtime so the show will be shut out again. Julia Louis-Dreyfus will probably continue her vaunted return to fame with another win here but note the comment above and remember that the likeable America Ferrera could be the dark horse in this race.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical
Last year oddly Steve Carell won for his role in The Office though it was not nominated for Best Comedy, and now that it is and will probably win it remains to be seen if he can repeat his win. Tony Shalhoub is back as a nominee in a category that he has owned for the past few years as are Jason Lee and Zach Braff. Alec Baldwin is a surprise as best actor for 30 Rock but this is probably because the best supporting category was too full. Plus with his scene stealing it just feels like he is in every scene. Alec Baldwin is the new go-to ham in Hollywood and this would be the year to see the awards start piling up.
Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture made for Television
I haven’t seen all of these nominees but it seems odd that Tsunami, The Aftermath should have so many acting nominations and yet not make the cut for best made for television picture. There are a few period pieces, a western, and two crimes to account for. The most interesting is Prime Suspect: The Final Act the last of the successful PBS series. This one is more interesting for Helen Mirren’s portrayal of the alcoholic cop in her last case on the force than it is for the actual story line. Most likely HBO will take home this award again for either Elizabeth I or Mrs. Harris.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture made for Television
This category mirrors the best series or picture much more closely than the men’s category does. Here Helen Mirren does double duty both for her performance as Queen Elizabeth I and for one last time as Detective Jane Tennison. Since she already seems the odds on favorite to win as one queen it seems unlikely that she will win for two queens. But as her performances have gainer greater attention than Gillian Anderson, Annette Benning and Sophie Okonedo it seems likely that Mirren will win for her Prime Suspect role.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture made for Television
It is interesting that Michael Ealy is nominated for yet another Sleeper Cell picture after it was nominated last year for best mini-series or motion picture made for television. Bill Nighy is nominated again after last year’s nomination for The Girl in the Cafe. He has had a busy year here nominated for Gideon’s Daughter and appearing in the top grossing film of the year Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. By far the biggest nomination field this year, there are seven nominees including such powerhouses as Robert Duval and Ben Kingsley against the likes of Andre Braugher, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Matthew Perry. Chiwetel Ejiofor’s performance in Tsunami, The Aftermath as a displaced father will win for a show that was powerful but will miss out on any other awards.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture made for Television
I don’t need to go over again how broad this category is. This category is overflowing with promise and missing such star turns as Jaime Pressly as Joy from My Name is Earl and Jean Smart who had an amazing turn as the first lady on last season’s 24. It seems almost unfair to group together one shot on a motion picture made for television or a few appearances in a mini-series with characters that are developed week after week on a television show. Of course in looking at the best actor in a mini-series or made-for-tv movie category they could have included a few more nominees. That said it is surprising that a nod for Sarah Paulson on Studio 60 is the only nomination for Aaron Sorkin’s latest show. Paulson’s character is good, but the series is still finding its legs at this point. This time Grey’s Anatomy offers Katherine Heigl after Sandra Oh’s win last year and she will be the eventual winner.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture made for Television
Jeremy Piven is nominated yet again for his role in Entourage and one of these days he will win. It is nice to see Masi Oka nominated for his role of time-bending Hiro in the ensemble drama Heroes. Thomas Haden Church and Jeremy Irons are both nominated for there work in made for television pictures and Justin Kirk rounds out the nominees for his role in Weeds. Gregory Itzin is absent for his 24 season 5 defining role as President Charles Logan which may be the biggest oversight in this category. This should be Piven’s year as Entourage’s only representative.
Related posts:
- Golden Globes 2007 - Film
- Golden Globes Review 2006
- Golden Globe Picks 2005
- Golden Globe Redux 2007
- Golden Globe Picks 2006
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