It’s that time of year again, the Golden Globes. Sure, they’re not as big as the Emmys or the Oscars, but the Globes aren’t JV awards either. We’ll probably mostly forget the winners once those other two awards shows crown their own, but it’s always nice to go 2-for-2 and win both.
I’m here to briefly breakdown my thoughts on the TV nominations, though keep in mind a lot of them are carried over from this year’s Emmy Awards. The others might be a taste of what’s to come for next year’s Emmys. But first, a word on the host.
I personally enjoyed Ricky Gervais, for the most part, but NBC is replacing him Jimmy Fallon. You couldn’t have switched Gervais with a nicer guy. I don’t know if Jimmy Fallon has a mean bone in his body. Look at his interview with Donald Trump. Anyway, besides his “Thank You Notes” segment, Fallon isn’t really known for being all that funny. He hides his awkwardness and lack of wit with amusing games. So I expect what jokes he does tell to mainly fall flat. But he’s likeable guy, so I’m rooting for him.
Now, on to the nominees!
Best Television Series, Drama: The Crown, Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, This Is Us, Westworld
A bit suprising to see so many new shows on here, until you look the nominees. Of course Game of Thrones is on there, but I would have called you crazy if you told me This Is Us was going to get nominated when it first aired. It’s struck a cord with people. Really great to see Westworld and Stranger Things. This bodes well for them at the Emmys, though it’s still so early. I thought the premiere of The Crown was good but a little dull so it must have picked up. Last year’s winner, Mr. Robot, is missing and that is a big deal. I heard it was a little polarizing for some fans but it was still acclaimed by critics. The Globes, it seems, are focused on the new more than anything.
Game of Thrones had a very good year, much better than the reception for Season 5. It could win. But Westworld is the hottest right now and it’s essentially the new Game of Thrones. That’s my pick to win.
Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy: Atlanta, Black-ish, Mozart in the Jungle, Transparent, Veep
It’s over for Orange Is the New Black. It’s not over-over but it missed the Emmys and now it’s missed the Golden Globes. Black-ish continues to be on the rise, and Atlanta is a newcomer. I could just say all the newcomers will win but that’s not how it always works. Sometimes the reigning champion wins again. Mozart in the Jungle has a good shot. But really, all these nominees have something unique about them or contain some social commentary. Ordinary family sitcoms need not apply. It’s a toss up.
Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: American Crime, The Dresser, The Night Manager, The Night Of, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
If The People v. O.J. Simpson is going to lose any of these categories, it’s to The Night Of. No category better showcases how the Golden Globes have one foot in this year’s Emmys and one in next year’s Emmys than this. The Night Of was a huge success for HBO. I still think The People v. O.J. will win but I’m only slightly over 50% sure. I certainly think it deserves the Emmy and the Golden Globe.
Then again, Wolf Hall won last year, so it could always be The Dresser. It won’t be The Night Manager or definitely won’t be American Crime.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Television Series, Drama: Rami Malek for Mr. Robot, Bob Odenkirk for Better Call Saul, Matthew Rhys for The Americans, Liev Schreiber for Ray Donovan, Billy Bob Thornton for Goliath
Not too much has changed in this category. Jon Hamm is obviously out with Mad Men over. Billy Bob Thornton managed to sneak in, which helps alleviate the failure of Bad Santa 2. Just like the Emmys, Matthew Rhys is here now. Rami Malek got a lot of praise for his acting in Mr. Robot and he’s got the hardware to prove it. Look for him to win here too, mirroring Jon Hamm winning both the Emmy and Globe last year.
Best Performance by an Actor in Leading Role in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy: Anthony Anderson for Black-ish, Gael García Bernal for Mozart in the Jungle, Donald Glover for Atlanta, Nick Nolte for Graves, Jeffrey Tambor for Transparent
Considering that Donald Glover carries Atlanta both behind the scenes and in front of the camera, I can see him taking home the gold. Between this and being cast as a young Lando Calrissian, it’s just his year. Previous winners Gael García Bernal and Jeffrey Tambor are my backups, with Tambor slightly edging over Bernal because the Foreign Press’ short attention span.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television: Riz Ahmed for The Night Of, Bryan Cranston for All the Way, Tom Hiddleston for The Night Manager, Courtney B. Vance for The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, John Turturro for The Night Of
Again we have another fight between O.J. and Night Of. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think John Turturro is going to win. His eczema-riddled attorney is just too beloved. Courtney B. Vance deserves to win for playing Johnnie Cochran but it’ll probably only happen if Riz Ahmed and Turturro split the vote.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television: Sterling K. Brown for The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Hugh Laurie for The Night Manager, John Lithgow for The Crown, Christian Slater for Mr. Robot, John Travolta for The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Just like the Emmys, John Travolta does not deserve to be here. He got in because of his name and probably because of heavy lobbying by FX. It’s like Denzel Washington said last year, it’s easy to sway the Hollywood Foreign Press with a little TLC (not the channel). Sterling K. Brown is having an awesome year like Ahmed and Glover but he doesn’t need this win. The fact that John Lithgow, an American actor, is nominated for playing Winston Churchill is pretty telling. Brits play us Yanks all the time but not the other way around. It’s him or Brown.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Television Series, Drama: Caitriona Balfe, Outlander, Claire Foy for The Crown, Keri Russell for The Americans, Winona Ryder for Stranger Things, Evan Rachel Wood for Westworld
I’d really love to see Winona Ryder win this award for Stranger Things, since it was a very emotionally charged performance, though others might say it was overacting. Evan Rachel Wood did an excellent job in Westworld though and she essentially had to portray a more multi-facetted character. This is start of big things for her and I think she overtakes the veteran.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Felicity Huffman for American Crime, Riley Keough for The Girlfriend Experience, Sarah Paulson for The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Charlotte Rampling for London Spy, Kerry Washington for Confirmation
Please just give this award to Sarah Paulson now. She was so good as Marcia Clark. Felicity Huffman was also great in American Crime and she deserves her nomination, as I’m sure the other actresses do, but let’s be real. It’s Sarah Paulson or no one.
Best Performance by an Actress in Leading Role in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy, Rachel Bloom for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Julia Louis-Dreyfus for Veep, Sarah Jessica Parker for Divorce, Issa Rae for Insecure, Gina Rodriguez for Jane the Virgin, Tracee Ellis Ross for Black-ish
Cross out Tracee Ellis Ross and Sarah Jessica Parker. Everybody else is pretty much fair game. Julia Louis-Dreyfus lost year but I have a feeling she might come back with a vengeance. But I’m too undecided to pick any further. So for now, just a feeling.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television: Olivia Colman for The Night Manager, Lena Headey for Game of Thrones, Chrissy Metz for This Is Us, Mandy Moore for This Is Us, Thandie Newton for Westworld
Maeve’s a fun character on Westworld and I would say is actually that show’s Cersei to large degree, but Lena Headey is better in the role. That being said, people really enjoyed Maeve and Thandie Newton will win out. Assuming This Is Us lasts for several more seasons though, I see at least one of the actresses returning.
THE GOLDEN GLOBES AIRS JANUARY 8 AT 8 PM ON NBC
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Aaron Sarnecky is Pop-Break’s television editor and covers Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., among other things. He is a graduate of Rowan University with a degree in television and film. He probably remembers that show you forgot existed. Follow him on Twitter: @AaronSarnecky
