Let’s face it: The Golden Globes have long been littered with low-rent sketches — even before public allegations of financial comedy business and diversity tone deafness at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. NBC hit pause on last year’s telecast (winners announced online only).
That being said — and it’s a lot to digest — the HFPA at least had a lot going for it with the nominations for the 80th Golden Globe Awards. Jan. 10 with host Jerrod Carmichael for the first time on NBC.
Best TV Series — Drama.
“The Crown” (Netflix)
Dragon House (HBO)
Ozark (Netflix)
Severance (Apple TV+)
My take: There is no controversy here, although some may argue with the “Crown”. Season 5, which premiered on November 9, is a little long at times, particularly the episode that marks the finality of Charles and Diana’s divorce, with its unnecessary and gratuitous time-filling court scenes, but overall its arc holds its title together. to the inevitability of its sixth and final season. Ozark was amazing (with a troubled finale), Game of Thrones prequel House of Dragons was a monster hit so it can’t be ignored, and Severance was a talker.
Best TV Series – Musical or Comedy.
“The Bear” (FX)
“Hacks” (HBO Max)
“Only Murders in a Building” (Hulu)
“Wednesday” (Netflix)
My take: I’d love to see “What We Do in the Shadows” get a nod (instead of “Just Murders in the Building”). “Bear” was excellent and “Hacks” did not slow down in his second round. “Wednesday” is breaking viewership records on Netflix, which is not an easy task, and features viral video dance scene featuring star Jenna Ortegathis is a must see.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama.
Jeff Bridges, “The Old Man”
Kevin Costner, “Yellowstone”
Diego Luna, “Andor”
Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”
My take: Bridges was terrible in The Old Man, even more so considering that Battling cancer and COVID while filming the FX series. As a world-weary 70-year-old ex-spy, he brought gravitas, dragged in from the cold to go mano-a-mano with an old nemesis. Costner has been a cornerstone of Yellowstone for five seasons as one of the most-watched series on television. It was overlooked by the Emmys; maybe it will change here. Surrounded by a deep bench of terrific actors, Odenkirk led the charge as Better Call Saul ended its six-season run with a finale that hit all the right notes.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series — Drama.
Imelda Staunton, “The Crown”
Laura Linney, “Ozark”
Hilary Swank, Alaska Daily
Zendaya, “Ephoria”
My take: These are mostly strong choices. Staunton is the best Queen Elizabeth of the three actresses who played the role (Claire Foy in seasons 1-2, Olivia Colman in seasons 3-4). Linney was solid, but Rhea Seehorn (“Better Call Saul”) belongs on this list. I haven’t seen enough of Swank’s Alaska Daily to fairly judge Swank’s credentials after watching the first few episodes of the ABC series. Zendaya is a phenomenon.
Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy.
Donald Glover, “Atlanta”
Bill Hader, “Barry”
Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short, “Murders Only in the Building”
Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”
My take: Hader, Glover, and White are incredible here, and it’s nice to see White get the credit he deserves for The Bear, who appears out of nowhere to grab everyone’s attention. I’d say the “overrated” label goes to Short, while Martin is good, but not great.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy.
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”
Jenna Ortega, “Wednesday”
Jean Smart, “Hacks”
My take: Brunson and “Abbott Elementary” took home multiple Emmys, and they could repeat that feat on Jan. 10 for the versatile sitcom. Smart repeated his excellence in season 2 of “Hacks”; he too could repeat his Emmy success.
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, an Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television
Tamar Egerton, The Blackbird
Colin Firth, “The Staircase”
Evan Peters, “Dahmer – The Monster: The Story of Jeffrey Dahmer”
My take: Egerton was great, but I think his co-star Paul Walter Hauser stole his thunder from Blackbird (more on that below). “Dahmer” has been over-praised – although its popularity and (constant) viewership cannot be disputed.
Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, an Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television.
Jessica Chastain, “George and Tammy”
Julia Garner, “Inventing Anna”
Lily James, “Pam and Tommy”
Julia Roberts, “Gaslit”
My take: Solid candidates. Chastain, who brings a mixture of toughness, tenderness, love, determination and vulnerability to her portrayal of Tammy Wynette opposite Michael Shannon, cannot be overlooked. it’s not nominee) as George Jones in the Paramount+ series.
Kudos to these nominees: Houser as creepy serial killer Larry Hall in Blackbird (see above); Domhnall Gleeson in The Sick (but where’s Steve Carell?); and Henry Winkler, who continues to shine in “Barry.”
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