Golden Globes TV Nominations

One of the many highlights of the Globes, in addition to Jack Nicholson's reaction shots and the sliding intoxication scale throughout the night, is the inclusive nature of the nominations. The cool kids from high school (movies) allow the cool kids from junior high (tv) to join the party. And the two become increasingly intertwined as high caliber shows and mini-series draw big stars. What does that mean for us? Why, a double dose of award show pleasure, of course.

Best Series – Drama

24 (FOX)

Big Love (HBO)

Grey's Anatomy (ABC)

Heroes (NBC)

Lost (ABC)

Mali: Once again, I find myself an outcast in the drama category. I've never watched any of the contenders. Really. Not even on a slow night or when Netflix was late. So I'll give it to Heroes because I appreciate any show that keeps Adrian Pasdar employed (really, yum) and am in awe of Hayden Panettiere's complexion.

Todd: I'm afraid the love affair critics have with 24, which is 3 years too late in my opinion, may carry over to the GGs. But I have to go with Heroes, which was not only the breakout hit of the year, but also actually deserves to be. It is the most creative show to come along in a while and takes the somewhat trite superhero as outcast metaphor to new interesting places.

Mali: Can we talk about the whole superheroes zeitgeist thing for a moment? Did it start with Supernatural and then build with X-Men, Superman etc.? Or did it really start with Batman Begins, a darker more haunted superhero for our times? There has to be a saturation point but right now, given the world situation, I guess the idea of ordinary people saving the day feels right.

Todd: I’d say it began with X-Men (2000) on film and Smallville (2001) on TV. It began at the end of the 90s during which pop culture was desperately in need of villains; it then continued, and thrived, post-9/11, a time when society in general is desperate for heroes.

Best Actress in a Television Series- Drama

Patricia Arquette - Medium (NBC)

Edie Falco - The Sopranos (HBO)

Ellen Pompeo - Grey's Anatomy (ABC)

Kyra Sedgwick - The Closer

Mali: Edie Falco. You wanna make something of it?

Todd: I'm going with Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer. Falco has had her time and surely, based on the premiere episode alone she deserves to be nominated this year as well. But come on, the Foreign Press needs to just let go. They're known for choosing the new kid on the block, I'd love to see it be Sedgwick this year.

Mali: Hmm. I have always had an issue with Sedgwick (and not just for bringing home the Bacon) because I've felt her acting relies heavily on quirkiness and tics vs. just acting.

Todd: I agree with you about every performance she’s ever given prior to The Closer That’s why she’s so deserving.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama

Patrick Dempsey - Grey's Anatomy (ABC)

Michael Hall - Dexter (SHOWTIME)

Hugh Laurie - House (FOX)

Bill Paxton - Big Love (HBO)

Kiefer Sutherland - 24 (FOX)

Mali: Tough category for me as I have to choose substance over looks. So Hugh Laurie over the best hair in the biz, Dempsey.

Todd: Yeah, I'd give it to Laurie every time. His performance is a real performance, although I have to confess I don't watch ‘Grey's’ (as a male friend of mine recently referred to it...) It still hasn't grabbed me despite having seemingly won over every conceivable demographic.

Mali: I have yet to understand what it is about Grey's that makes it more than a medical soap opera with angsty music. The few moments that I've caught seem to have been done better before, on other shows, with other actors. Maybe it just came along at the right time but I just can't get on board. And Ellen Pompeo, eat a sandwich already.

Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy

Desperate Housewives (ABC)

Entourage (HBO)

The Office (NBC)

Ugly Betty (ABC)

Weeds (SHOWTIME)

Mali: I loves the Entourage like nobody should but I don't think last season was deserving. It's Betty all the way, in her blue braced glory. I didn't expect much from it, especially given the hype but it's delivered on every count. Consistently funny AND clever, with each actor delivering a nuanced yet still wink-wink performance, the show manages to balance farce with emotion in a way I haven't seen in years. I actually went through withdrawal during repeats.

Todd: I'm thinking Betty wins this as well. I tried to watch an episode, which was a 10 minute exercise I'm afraid, but what I did take away from it is that it has an assertive original voice, which is rare for new TV shows.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy

Marcia Cross - Desperate Housewives (ABC)

America Ferrera - Ugly Betty (ABC)

Felicity Huffman - Desperate Housewives (ABC)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus - The New Adventures Of Old Christine (CBS)

Mary-Louise Parker - Weeds (SHOWTIME)

Mali: Betty. She's from Queens, yo, better represent. In contrast to the super toned other nominees, Ferrera has gotten very little media coverage for what is an outstanding performance. It would be great to see talent recognized, even if it comes (gasp!) in a size 10.

Todd: Betty indeed, although will the foreign press be loathe to award someone named “America?” Runner up goes to Julia Louis Dreyfuss. The show may have issues but she is hilarious.

Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy

Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock (NBC)

Zach Braff - Scrubs (NBC)

Steve Carell - The Office (NBC)

Jason Lee - My Name Is Earl (NBC)

Tony Shalhoub - Monk (USA)

Mali: Squinty Alec Baldwin must win! He can do so much with a line and a look - it's like sitcoms were made just so he could work. His presence makes Tina Fey tolerable and elevates the writing.

Todd: I'd love to see Baldwin get this. His deadpan delivery is hilarious and he definitely helps makes the show work. Steve Carrell may eke out a win here though.

Best performance by an actress a series, mini-series, or motion picture made for television

Gillian Anderson – Bleak House

Annette Bening – Mrs Harris

Helen Mirren – Elizabeth I

Helen Mirren – Prime Suspect: the Final Act

Sophie Okenedo— Tsunami, The Aftermath

Mali: Shouldn’t this be the Helen Mirren awards?

Todd: Did anyone really watch Tsunami: The Aftermath?

Best performance by an actor in a series, mini-series, or motion picture made for television

Andre Braugher — Thief

Robert Duvall — Broken Trail

Michael Ealy — Sleeper Cell: American Terror

Chiwetel Ejiofor — Tsunami, The Aftermath

Ben Kinsgsley – Mrs Harris

Bill Nighy — Gideon’s Daughter

Matthew Perry – The Ron Clark Story

Mali: I'm going to vote for Michael Ealy. Is it because Sleeper Cell is a topical show that reaches deep into our fears? Or is because he's just so dang cute? Go with whichever makes you feel better.

Todd: I'll choose Andre Braugher for Thief. He was intense and human and flawed and kept the show's disparate parts together.

Mali: Way to keep it classy, T. As long as you weren't going for Perry as the teacher who comes into...wait, is that Freedom Writers?

Todd: I know, and seriously, calling it the Ron Clark Story? Are they kidding? Umm, there should be a rule that you can’t name a movie after a guy no one’s heard of.

Best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, mini-series, or motion picture made for television

Emily Blunt — Gideon’s Daughter

Toni Collette — Tsunami, The Aftermath

Katherine Heigl — Grey’s Anatomy

Sarah Paulson — Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Elizabeth Perkins— Weeds

Mali: Tough, odd category. I do think Paulson is one of the better things on 60 but I'm going to vote for Blunt because I liked her in Prada. Just like the category - strange and confusing.

Todd: The only two performances I've seen are Heigl and Paulson's and I've got to think there are more deserving ones among the remaining nominees. I'll say Collette who is generally great in everything she's in, particularly the way she disappears into a role.

Best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a series, mini-series, or motion picture made for television

Thomas Haden Church — Broken Trail

Jeremy Irons — Elizabeth I

Justin Kirk — Weeds

Masi Oka — Heroes

Jeremy Piven — Entourage

Mali: Historical drama or Piven? Always go with the Piven.

Todd: …unless you're up against a time traveling Japanese dude that is. Oka brings so much humor and humanity to the role of Hiro and really stands out in a crowded ensemble field. Save the cheerleader...win a globe.

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