The Ups & Downs of the Golden Globes

Well, the film side of the Golden Globes were pretty predicable (I guessed 7 out of 10 categories correctly), but the television categories were full of surprises (just 4 out of 8). Regardless of my prediction success, I enjoyed last night's show. As usual, the celebrities were drunkenly providing us with laughter all night (Felicity Huffman and T-Bone Streep), and several of my favorite shows and actors received awards. Of course, we can't always get what we want, so I'll just complain about it on here. Enjoy.

My highlights of the evening:

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television

Chloë Sevigny, Big Love

With season 3 of Big Love fresh in my mind, Sevigny's performance stands out the most. I love Jane Lynch on Glee, and I was truly shocked that she didn't win. But Sevigny acted her heart out this season, and she deserves her Globe. This is why comedic and dramatic actresses shouldn't be clumped into the same category.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama

Michael C. Hall, Dexter

I've only seen a few episodes of Dexter and Six Feet Under, but that was enough to know that Michael C. Hall is a superb actor. I'm happy to see he finally won an award for the show, and I can't wait to start watching soon. And the fact that he waited until voting had closed to announce his battle with cancer just makes him seem like such a classy man.

NBC Jokes

Since the awards show took place in the midst of all the NBC, Jay, and Conan drama, it was no surprise that NBC was the butt of many jokes made by the stars. My Favorites:

"Let's get on with it before NBC replaces me with Jay Leno." - Host Ricky Gervais in his opening monologue

"I just want to thank [CBS execs] Les Moonves and Nina Tassler for believing in the 10 o' clock drama." - Julianna Margulies of CBS's The Good Wife in her acceptance speech

"It's not rain. It's just God crying for NBC." - Tina Fey on the red carpet

The "not so Golden" Globes:

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama

Julianna Marguilies, The Good Wife

I was not surprised. But I was not angry either. I still firmly believe that January Jones is one of the most talented dramatic actresses on television, and I hope she will receive some recognition for her amazing third season as Betty Draper at this year's Emmy Awards. Nonetheless, I've been watching The Good Wife, and Marguilies gives a great performance week after week. She deserves the Golden Globe. We'll just give the Emmy to Jones...

Best Television Series - Comedy or Musical

Glee

I'm a HUGE Glee fan. I watch every week. I own both soundtracks. Heck, I even have a t-shirt! But would I say it's the best comedy on television right now? No. That title belongs to Modern Family - no contest. Glee isn't consistent enough week to week, and many of the plots seemed rushed in the first thirteen episodes. I believe it has the potential to be a great comedy, but it hasn't gotten there yet. Modern Family, on the other hand, has been there since the pilot. But now that the writers have gotten a chance to see the fans' reactions to the first half of the season, I have high hopes for the rest of this year on Glee.

Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical

The Hangover

This one was one of the biggest surprises in my opinion. I'm not going going to say it doesn't deserve the win since I haven't seen it yet. But is it really a better movie than It's Complicated, Julie & Julia, or (500) Days of Summer (which I consider to be one of the greatest films of the year)? Maybe once I see it I'll change my mind, since I keep hearing good things about it.

Currently watching:

Damages Season 2

Episode 1: I Lied, Too

My Golden Globe Predictions

The awards season is in full swing, and tomorrow night the stars will get wasted to celebrate the random, pointless awards known as the Golden Globes (let's face it, they're certainly no Oscar or Emmy). Just because they don't always make sense and aren't always accurate (Anna Paquin? Really?) doesn't mean we can't have our fun too.

Listed below are my predictions for tomorrow night's winners and commentary on some of the other nominees.

Best Drama Series:

Big Love - Although this season was definitely its strongest to date, I doubt it has the power or the buzz to take down the two-time champ.

Dexter

House

Mad Men - I'm almost positive nothing can top it. This season brought about so much change. Jon Hamm and January Jones gave their best performances ever as their marriage fell apart, and the world of Sterling Cooper was turned upside down in the monumental season finale.

True Blood

Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series:

Simon Baker, The Mentalist - A win for Baker definitely would not surprise me, but I feel like some of the others would be more deserving.

Michael C. Hall, Dexter

Jon Hamm, Mad Men - Hamm's performance on the show has just been improving since its first season. Since he won back then, it's only natural that he win tomorrow night as well.

Hugh Laurie, House - I'm not a House fan. At all. But I still believe Laurie does a great job on the show. If Mad Men doesn't sweep all of the drama categories, it will probably be because of him.

Bill Paxton, Big Love

Best Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series:

Glenn Close, Damages

January Jones, Mad Men - I'm voting with my heart. I have an unhealthy obsession with January Jones and her alter ego Betty Draper. The woman drops my jaw and leaves me speechless episode after episode. If they announce Jones as a winner tomorrow night, the loud shriek you'll hear will be me in my dorm room causing my roommate's eardrums to burst.

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife - If I were voting with my head...

Anna Paquin, True Blood

Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Best Comedy Series:

30 Rock

Entourage

Glee - Yes, I am a fan. And yes, I am almost positive it will win. But I would prefer the award go to a more evenly written, consistent comedy.

Modern Family - This is the best comedy on television right now. Hands down. Every member of the ensemble leaves me in stitches, and it will be a shame to see them lose tomorrow night.

The Office

Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series:

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock - And the Globe goes to... Jim Parsons! Oh wait... Since the best performance by an actor in a comedy series didn't get a nomination, I guess it will have to go to Baldwin. Don't get me wrong, I love him and think he's hilarious. But it's so wrong that Parsons got snubbed.

Steve Carell, The Office

David Duchovny, Californication

Thomas Jane, Hung

Matthew Morrison, Glee

Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy Series:

Toni Collette, The United States of Tara

Courteney Cox, Cougar Town

Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie - Falco's return to television turned into one of the most talked about shows of the summer. Since she has already won two Globes as Carmela Soprano, it would be no surprise for her to earn another one tomorrow night.

Tina Fey, 30 Rock - I would just like to take this opportunity to say how much I love this woman and this show.

Lea Michele, Glee - In my opinion, Michele gives the best performance on the show (besides Jane Lynch, I suppose). She's young, she sings, and she's everything the Globes love.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role:

Michael Emerson, Lost - This category could go to just about anyone. Emerson's performance on Lost would be a great way to go.

Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother - I'll refrain from using the words "wait for it" and "legendary." NPH is hilarious and awesome. End of story. I respect him so much and think he is far overdue for an award.

William Hurt, Damages

John Lithgow, Dexter - Dexter is one of the next shows on my TV to-do list, and I cannot wait to watch the fourth season and witness Lithgow's buzzed about performance (and the season finale I've already had spoiled for me).

Jeremy Piven, Entourage

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role:

Jane Adams, Hung

Rose Byrne, Damages - I haven't had a chance to experience season two yet, but Byrne was definitely my favorite part of the first season. I definitely would not mind seeing her go home with a Globe tomorrow.

Jane Lynch, Glee - Sue Sylvester has quickly become one of the funniest and most quotable characters on television, so I assume the Glee love will continue and score Lynch an award.

Janet McTeer, Into the Storm

Chloë Sevigny, Big Love - Season three was Nicki's season. Sevigny portrayed the part flawlessly, and I hope the love for Big Love carries over to this year's Emmys.

And since apparently they award movies on this show too...

Best Picture, Drama:

Avatar

Best Actor, Drama:

Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart

Best Actress, Drama:

Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side

Best Picture, Comedy/Musical:

It's Complicated

Best Actor, Comedy/Musical:

Daniel Day-Lewis, Nine

Best Actress, Comedy/Musical:

Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia

Best Supporting Actor:

Cristoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

Best Supporting Actress:

Mo'Nique, Precious

Best Director:

Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker

Best Animated Film:

Up

Watch the Golden Globes tomorrow night at 8 PM EST (7 PM CST) on NBC to see how well I did!

Currently watching:

Big Love Season 3

Episode 10 - Sacrament

2010 Premieres - Get Excited!

It's the start of a new year, and that means it's just about time for midseason premieres! Hiatus is over, and my shows are coming back! Plus, networks are rolling out brand new series and new seasons of old favorites.

I'll be watching:

5. The Deep End

Grey's Anatomy in a law firm? Count me in!

4. Big Love - Season 4

The good news? It's tomorrow! The bad news? I have yet to see season three. Once I finish my epic re-watching of Lost seasons one through five, Big Love is next on my list. The HBO story about a man with three wives may not sound normal, but the domestic drama examines issues experienced in any home, polygamist or not, and that is what makes it so great. The show keeps improving with each season, so I can't wait to see where seasons three and four take the Henrickson clan.

3. Parenthood

I never really got into Gilmore Girls, but thanks to my roommate's midday marathons, I've been exposed to quite a few episodes. Lauren Graham quickly caught my eye. After Maura Tierney pulled out of the Parenthood pilot due to breast cancer, Graham, her replacement, seems to be what everyone is talking about. Plus, I'll watch Peter Krause in just about anything. Oh, and did I mention Ron Howard?

2. Damages - Season 3

Another show I need to catch up with. The first season is one of my favorite seasons of dramatic television I've ever seen. When the (apparently not as amazing) second season hits the shelves on the 19th, I'll be first in line, ready to plow my way through those thirteen episodes and prepare for season three. Glenn Close and Rose Byrne are some of the most talented women on television. Believe me, that's saying something.

1. Lost - The Sixth and Final Season

Do I really need to say anything? I mean... it's Lost! The mysteries will finally be revealed, the loose ends finally tied up, and the stories will finally be complete. It's the final season and anything can happen! Is time going to restart? Is everyone going to die? What is the Island? Questions will finally be answered!

Honorable Mention:

Life Unexpected - A new CW series about a young girl in foster care who seeks out her birth parents. Initially, I wasn't too interested in watching it, but the critics won't stop raving about it.

Currently watching:

Lost Season 5

Episode 5 - This Place is Death

Welcome!

My name is Michael, and I watch too much television. I am currently a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Journalism and hoping to double major with Radio Television Film. With these degrees I plan to make a career as a television critic, and my biggest dreams are to someday work for Entertainment Weekly and/or write my own television series. But for now I'm just a self-acclaimed TV expert, and I've created this blog to begin the long journey toward achieving my goals.

What you can expect from my blog:

Reviews of TV shows

Award show predictions/reactions

TV Recommendations

The occasional movie review (especially during Oscar season)

My opinion on random pop culture happenings

Pretty much anything else television related

Favorite Dramas:

Lost, Mad Men, Grey's Anatomy (circa season two), Damages, and Big Love

Favorite Comedies:

30 Rock, Arrested Development, Pushing Daisies, Modern Family, Ugly Betty, Glee, The Big Bang Theory, Better Off Ted, Parks & Recreation, and The Office

I also watch:

Weeds, Desperate Housewives, Party Down, Brothers & Sisters, True Blood, How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, The Good Wife, Private Practice, and Melrose Place

Other Interests:

Harry Potter, Show Choir, Movies, and Music

Currently watching:

Lost Season 4

Episode 6 - The Other Woman