Reactions To This Years Golden Globe Nominations

It's always tricky trying to guess what the Golden Globes will do, particularly in regard to TV. Sometimes, they seem to have their finger on the pulse better than the Emmy does, other times, they seem drawn to things that are shiny and new. This year, however, they seem to have a better grip on things than usual, even though the pulse is definitely in a strange direction.

Here's my category by category reaction to the nominations in television (movies may come later)

BEST DRAMA

Game of Thrones is a constant presence here, so its hard to thing they wouldn't prevail here. Westworld is a similar bright and shiny thing, but given its presence in the Critics Choice, its not a huge shock. Stranger Things and The Crown were Netflix's nominees for the Critics Choice, so I'm not that surprised to see them here, even though Orange is the New Black probably would be a better fit.

YEA! They recognized This is Us! And given how strong its showing is, it might actually have a chance of winning!

BEST ACTOR, DRAMA

Rami Malek and Bob Odenkirk more than deserve to be here. I'm even more gratified that Matthew Rhys earned a place here, though I am kind of surprised The Americans didn't earn a nomination. (Then again, it is an old show) Billy Bob Thornton for Goliath seems a somewhat stranger choice, but he has been getting more recognition for this body. Frankly, I'm more appalled by the fact that Liev Schrieber has again taken up a spot that could go to someone more worthy. Whither Dominic West or Michael Sheen?

BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA

Stranger mix here. Catriona Balfe is the only hold over from last time out, but its hard to think she didn't earn it. Evan Rachel Wood prevailing isn't that surprising, given her win at the Critics Choice on Monday. Keri Russell for The Americans, back nearly two decades after her win for Felicity. Can't complain. Claire Foy is an odd choice, but The Crown is apparently Netflix big thing. Winona Ryder isn't that odd for Stranger Things, but I am a little surprised that she's considered a lead. Where the heck is Tatiana Maslany? Oh well.

BEST COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Mostly no complaints. Veep deserves to be here. So does black-ish, and its even odder that Transparent wasn't nominated last year. Atlanta has earned its place at the table. Mozart in the Jungle continues to be the odd duck. Yes, it won last year, so it clearly has a following, but this is the only award show that seems to recognize it exists. I'd much rather have seen Silicon Valley or The Good Place here.

BEST ACTOR, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Jeffrey Tambor more than deserves to be here. So do Anthony Anderson and Donald Glover. I'm rather a little surprised that  Gael Garcia Bernal is back, but that not shocked. But seriously, Nick Nolte for Graves? A series on a network that nobody gets and even fewer watch? How the hell is this possible? God help me, Patrick Stewart would've been a better selection!

BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY OR MUSICAL

Julia Louis-Dreyfus would be a shock if she wasn't here. Tracee Ellis Ross has more than earned her seat at the table. Gina Rodriguez and Rachel Bloom are just talents, I really hope one or the other of them repeats. It's the other HBO selections I have problems with. Issa Rae for Insecure isn't a bad choice, considering how much work she has put in on her series. I can understand the desire to nominate her. But the only explanation I have for Sarah Jessica Parker being back for Divorce is that the Hollywood Foreign Press hasn't gotten over its Sex and the City obsession. No one really likes this series, and its not even a top performer. I'm glad they expanded the list to six women, but why'd Parker have to be one of them? Deep breath. Dear God, don't let them be blinded again

BEST TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

People V. O.J. Simpson and American Crime prove the Golden Globes have long memories when it comes to TV. (Movies? Not so much) Night Manager and  The Night Of would be formidable contenders any other year. But seriously, all the good candidates for movies and limited series, and they nominate The Dresser?  This is one of those rare occasions when I can say "HBO? You were robbed."

BEST ACTOR IN A TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

This is the first category in which I have no complaints. Courtney B. Vance continues his long award march. Bryan Cranston and Tom Hiddleston must be tired of following him. And Riz Ahmed and John Turturro's work in The Night Of will be probably be more significant for next years Emmys.

BEST ACTRESS IN A TV MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES

This ones a little odder. Felicity Huffman more than deserves to be here. And given her role in Confirmation, so does Kerry Washington. I'm a little perplexed by Riley Keough being here for The Girlfriend Experience; I was almost certain it was an original series and not a limited one. And while Charlotte Rampling is a great actress, I'm a little amazed that she was nominated for BBC America's London Spy, rather than say, Lili Taylor. Not that it matters much. Sarah Paulson is almost certain to win for her work on The People V. O.J. Simpson.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

It was only a question as to which series Sterling K. Brown was going to get nominated for People V. O.J. Simpson or This is Us.  It was the former this time out. (Next year, it almost certainly will be the latter.) John Travolta is still worthy of his spot, and you never know if Hugh Laurie might be able to pull out an upset. John Lithgow winning at the Critics Choice, and the presence of last season's winner Christian Slater means that this award might not be a cakewalk for Brown.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Chrissy Metz and Mandy Moore are awesome in This is Us. I really hope that one of them wins, but I fear they might cancel each other out. Thandie Newton, who triumphed on Monday at the Critics Choice for Westworld, could eke out a win. And Olivia Colman might be able to finally triumph considering that (inexplicably) Regina King wasn't nominated this time out. I'm a little depressed that Lena Headey got her spot, but the awards gods have been smiling on her. This category may be the most wide open of the night.

Stay tuned for my predictions.