Even in the
midst of the biggest elephant in the room, there's still something pleasing
about how the Golden Globes always seems to have the finger on the pulse of
television better than the Emmys do (or, given the last few years, did) Of course, given all the scandal surrounding
Hollywood, the Foreign Press Association did a good job staying away from
controversy (except for one case which I'll get to momentarily)
Here is my
reaction to this years nominations in TV (I'll get to movies in a future
article):
BEST DRAMA
It would've been
odd if The Handmaid's Tale had been
ignored, given the Emmys love for it. The
Crown and Stranger Things deserved
their nominations, as does This is Us. I'm
starting to get a little annoyed at how Game
of Thrones is always taking up a spot here, particularly with series like The Deuce or Better Call Saul being shut out.
BEST ACTOR,
DRAMA
Sterling Brown
more than deserves to be here. Ditto Bob Odenkirk. Jason Bateman is a good
choice, considering that Ozark was
basically ignored until now. But if you're going to honor Freddie Highmore,
acknowledge him for his brilliant swan song in Bates Motel, not The Good
Doctor. (Yes, I saw this coming, but still.) And will someone please
explain the fascination with Liev Schreiber? It's getting insulting.
BEST ACTRESS,
DRAMA
Maggie
Gyllenhaal is a very pleasant surprise and could easily pull out an upset win
over the equally deserving Elisabeth Moss. Claire Foy does an honor to The Crown, especially considering this
will be her last year of eligibility. Catriona Balfe, well, she's got her fans
among Outlander devotees (they were
at Broadcast Critics, too) But I still think Katherine Langford doesn't hold a
candle to Tatiana Maslany or Keri Russell. You had your chance guys.
BEST COMEDY
black-ish is a masterpiece, no question.
Ditto Master of None. SMILF is an entertaining and popular
series, and I'm glad its in the ranks. I now want to see Marvelous Mrs. Maisel more than ever. Will & Grace? I know, it was popular with the Globes in its
first incarnation, but this is ridiculous. At least they didn't nominate Veep.
BEST ACTOR,
COMEDY
Anthony Anderson
is perfect. Ditto Aziz Ansari. I'm beginning to respect William H. Macy's work
on Shameless more and more with each
coming season. Kevin Bacon isn't a bad choice. But Eric McCormack? Oh well.
Could be worse. Could be Jim Parsons.
BEST ACTRESS,
COMEDY
Issa Rae
deserved to be the one to repeat. Rachel Brosnahan and Alison Brie have more
than earned their shot at a trophy, even before their latest brilliant work,
and Frankie Shaw is nearly as great as Issa Rae and Rachel Bloom at writing
roles to humiliate themselves.
Pamela Adlon is
going to be the one tricky award of the night. It's not that I don't think she or her series isn't
brilliant. I do. But its also produced and co-written by Louie C.K. , and he's
in a major shadow right now. One wonders why the Globes even allowed her a hint
at the award this year. It's going to be the big controversy of the night.
BEST TV MOVIE OR
LIMITED SERIES
For once, all
mini-series. Big Little Lies, Feud: Bette
& Joan, and Fargo were among
the best series of last season. Top of
the Lake deserved to be considered. The
Sinner seems to be gaining strength for next season. Still, this bodes ill
for Twin Peaks .
BEST ACTOR, TV
MOVIE or LIMITED SERIES
Yes! They
recognized Kyle MacLachlan! I'm nearly as overjoyed to see him recognized as I
am Ewan McGregor. They're my favorites. Robert De Niro isn't a shock. Neither
is Geoffrey Rush, frankly. But Jude Law for The
Young Pope, a series basically shut out by every major awards group? That's
why the Globes are different
BEST ACTRESS, TV
MOVIE OR LIMITED SERIES.
No real
complaints. They recognized Susan Sarandon here, at least. I feel sympathy for
Jessica Biel. To be going up against four
Oscar winners? Then again, I'd feel
better if it were Carrie Coon or Felicity Huffman instead. Still, no real
complaints.
BEST SUPPORTING
ACTOR
Can't really
complain about this bunch either. An argument could be made for any one of the
five to be the winner. I might prefer David Thewlis or David
Harbour
BEST SUPPORTING
ACTRESS
Hell, they
remembered to recognize Shailene Woodley this time. I'd have prefered if they
could have found room for Millie Bobby Brown or Regina King to be in the list,
but just like supporting actor, no bad choices.
Honestly, this
is the best collection of Golden Globe nominees I've seen in nearly five years.
It'll be very interesting to see how the Hollywood Foreign Press decides to
choose.
Stay tuned for
my predictions.
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