We have a lot of thoughts to cover today on the mj15 blog. So much, in fact, that we had to go back to the old mj15 blog style of the summer and have three separate segments at once. My final "Random Thoughts" of 2009 and some more information about the next two weeks on the blog coming up in just a few paragraphs.
But, first, on Tuesday the second biggest nominations in all of TV Land and Movie Land was announced as we found out who (or is it whom? whatever) and what was nominated for this January's Golden Globe Awards. Now, for those of you who don't know, the Golden Globes is an award show presented annually by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association since 1944. Seems simple, right? Well, not really, because unlike most awards that focus on one aspect of a certain industry, the Golden Globes is an award show that focuses on the two most on-screen entertainment industries, movies and television. So while it's not the biggest award show for movies (that belongs to the Academy Awards) and TV (that belongs, of course, to the Emmys), it's still the second biggest. Plus, it's a nice way to get recognized if you win an award and an interesting way for the top people in both industries to mingle (I mean, how often do you see Steve Carrell of "The Office" and Brad Pitt in the same place?)
Now, as you might expect, the reason I have brought this up is to make my predictions on these nominations. But not for the movie awards. Here's why:
1. I only watched five movies in theaters this year, "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" (surprisingly hilarious), "Up" (another great movie by Pixar), "G-Force" (I had to watch it, and it sucked), "The Hurt Locker," (best movie of the year) and "Fantastic Mr. Fox" (my pick for best animated movie of the year). Therefore, I have no knowledge of which movie was better than which (expect in the "Up" vs. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" debate), who's performance is better than whom, etc.
2. Even if I did watch these movies, I know that I would have a hard time picking it. I mean, it's not like watching one TV show 22 times a year, with some repeats. You have to watch each of these two hour movies once, then when you're finished you have to remember everything you watched and pick one of those.
3. My choices for movies are not compared to the HFPA, the Academy of Arts of Sciences, etc. For example, last year I thought that "The Dark Knight" was, by a mile, the best film of the of that time. It ended up winning only two Oscars and one Golden Globe (66.66% of that was given to the late Heath Ledger for Best Supporting Actor). That's it. They didn't even bother nominate it for the big awards like Best Picture and Best Director for Christopher Nolan.
4. Since it is hard to pick the Golden Globes, I just use the winners to make my picks for the Oscars. For example, last year 5 out of 6 of the winners of the major awards (best picture, best actor, best actress, best supporting actress, best supporting actor, best director) all won a Golden Globe the same year. The year before it was 6 out of 6! As you can see, picking the Oscars is much easier.
So, instead, I will be picking the field that I know the best (went 15-6 in predicting last year's Emmys) and I have more experienced in (as mentioned on my first official blog post in July), the TV part of the awards. So, here we go, after reading through the nominations, looking back at previous Golden Globes and Emmys, and reading & listening to other people's opinions, here are my predictions for ALL (not just some of them like during the Emmys) of the most important of the TV industry's second biggest award show:
BEST TELEVISION SERIES- DRAMA
Will and Should Win: "Mad Men"
Weddings, childbirth, affairs, divorce, turmoil in the lives of every single main character, betrayal and a great, great, great, and five more times great season finale that has made me excited for the new season ever since. A guy even got his foot cut off with a lawn mower for Christ's sake! How could not give the award to a show with that much things going on? It even has the best writing on TV, the best man in charge (Matthew Weiner), good acting, and the best definition of a "drama" in the business. Besides, it has never lost as a nominee just yet, and like with the "Emmys," I will also factor that in the proceedings.
Another opinion:
While it doesn't seem like there isn't a single show on TV that could beat "Mad Men," I still believe that "Dexter" would be my pick to beat that. Not because I watched it and thought it was very good (I don't have Showtime), but I did read other people's opinions of it, and they said it was good, especially this season. Also, no nominations for either "Breaking Bad" or "Sons of Anarchy"? Maybe that's why this award show is treated as a second rate compared to the Emmys.
BEST TELEVISION SERIES- COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Will Win: "Modern Family"
Yes, folks, I said it. I believe that for the first time since 2006, a show no named "30 Rock" will win. The reasons why is simple. First of all, it's one of the newest of the good comedies, and award shows love giving the newest kid on the block a trophy for their achievement. Second, the critics love it. And, yes, it does indeed have it moments.
Should Win: "The Office"
I know this may seem like old news for those of you who have read my previous posts, but I think "The Office" is spectacular. Everything about it is great. This season, especially. Despite possibly having some of the show's worst episodes (also known as "Mob Boss") it still had some of the show's greatest (the Jim-Pam wedding episode comes to mind. It also have more constantly funny episodes than "Modern Family"
Another opinion: Many opinions (as you might expect) from this category:
1. While I do believe that "Modern Family" will win, I still believe that they will win in a nail-biting finish against "30 Rock." I mean, you can't have a show that has one three years in a row and not be try to get a four-peat without a fight.
2. Once again, it appears that I am losing touch with what most of America finds "funny," as I don't believe that either "Modern Family" or "30 Rock" should win, and yet either of them will. Someone needs to explain to me why that is the case.
3. Can the annual nomination of "Entourage" please stop? Year in, year out this show always finds it's way to be called "one of the year's best." Have you actually seen it? I did a couple of times this season. It's boring, and most importantly, it's not funny. Apparently, Alan Sepinwall was right when talking on one of Bill Simmons's podcasts when he said that Hollywood just keeps liking it because it reminds them up their daily lives.
4. No "Parks and Recreations"? No "Curb Your Enthusiasm"? No "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"? (sigh) This is why only five nominees don't make sense!
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TV SERIES- DRAMA
Will Win: Jon Hamm as Don Draper in "Mad Men"
Honestly, I really have no idea as to who will win this award. Then again, if you only watch five dramas total like I do, you really don't have a clue as to who will win. But "Mad Men" is great. And Hamm was brilliant this season as Draper. So... yeah.
Should Win: Hugh Laurie as Gregory House in "House"
I know what you're probably thinking: "MJ15, if you want Hugh Laurie to win Best Actor, then why didn't you pick him in the will win column?" That's because when you have the best person on the best show on TV, chances are he's going to take the crown. It's like if Peyton Manning would receive the MVP trophy if the Colts go 16-0 this season. However, I do believe that if it will not be Hamm, then it should definitely go to the Brit who plays the TV's rule breaking doctor to perfection. Also, he hasn't won a single award as of this point, and if there is someone who needs dome hardware for his work, it's Laurie.
Another Opinion:
As I mentioned earlier, I really don't know much about this category. So, therefore, I wouldn't be shocked if anyone in this category wins Except Bill Paxton. The character he portrays is just too boring.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES- DRAMA
Will Win: Glenn Close as Patty Hewes in "Damages"
If you thought that I had a hard time in the male part of the drama categories, then I had no clue in the female drama categories. I ended up picking Close because she won the Emmys last year. That's it.
Should Win: January Jones as Betty Draper in "Mad Men"
Jones was the only actress I watched perform every week. And she did a pretty good job playing Mrs. Don Draper as the spoiled brat she is. So...
Another opinion:
I don't know why, but I have a strong conviction that Ann Paquin will repeat. "True Blood" is that kind of show that could do that.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TV SERIES- COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Will Win: Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy in "30 Rock"
I've said it in my Emmy predictions, and I will say it again, there is no one who does a better job at stealing a scene in every way as Alec Baldwin. Once hes' on screen, you can't help but mesmerize him. Also, he's retiring in a couple of years, so this is where the "awards given for career achievement" part of his life will begin.
Should Win: Steve Carrell as Michael Scott in "The Office"
It's been six nearly five years since the US version of "The Office" debuted, and yet there has yet to be a major award given to Carell for his brilliant portrayal as the many emotions that is, Michael Scott in a way no one else would. . It's unfair, if you ask me! Grant it, he doesn't deserve it as much as he should've last season, but still...
Another opinion:
Sorry, everyone else (Thomas Jane, David Duchovny, Matthew Morrison) but it's basically a two man race between Baldwin and Carrel. The highest any of you will finish is a distant third. Also, why no love for Jim Parson as Sheldon in "The Big Bang Theory"? Are any of these three actors (especially Duchovny) really better than him? I thought so.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TV SERIES- COMEDY OR MUSICAL
Will and Should Win: Either Tina Fey as Liz Lemon in "30 Rock" or Toni Collete as Tara Gregson in "The United States of Tara"
Heading into the 2009 Emmys, it seemed as a foregone conclusion that it was going to be Tina Fey as the winner as best actress in the comedy category for the 357th time this decade. Well, it didn't turn out that way, as in the the second true upset of the awards (along with Jon Cryer with best supporting actor in a comedy series) it was Collete who won after a brilliant portrayal as the chich with the multiple personalities. Well, these two are back for a second round. Personally, I can see both of these women taking home the gold, so it really doesn't matter, and I wish both of them luck. Either one of them deserves it.
Another opinion:
While I see either Fey or Collete as the winner, don't be shocked to see yet another upset, like Edie Falco in "Nurse Jackie" and Lea Michele in "Glee," and yes, even Courtney Cox of "Cougar Town." (even though she really shouldn't).
BEST MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TV
Will and Should Win: "Grey Gardens"
Did this movie win the Emmy for the same category? (gasping) It did?! Well, I guess that wasn't sop hard to make a pick.
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES, OR MADE FOR TV MOVIE
Will Win: John Lithgow as the "Trinity Killer" in "Dexter
Based on what I've heard about his performance on the show, the clips I've seen of him, and the fact that I am a fan of his acting, I have reached a conclusion that he did the best job doing what this category required, to be the best actor of a TV series in which the person spent all of the show helping the main character or being a big part of the main character's world. Especially if you consider that he was only required to do this role for only one season.
Should Win: Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson in "How I Met Your Mother"
First of all, I would just like to say that NPH was screwed out of an Emmy in September. Everybody in the room knew that it should've been him. And not Jon Cryer, who just won it for some career achievement thing. He should win it for that alone. Second, I believe that he does the best job at being the temporary show stealer in all of the comedies on TV. Any questions?
Another opinion:
If you break down the entire category, it appears that really anyone of these men can win. However, in the end it will go down to either Lithgow, Harris, and Piven (he did win the Emmy in 2008, after all).
BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES AND MADE FOR TV MOVIE
Will and Should Win: Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester in "Glee"
I have yet to watch "Glee," and I dont' know anything about what's going on in the show. However, everytime I read or hear someone talk about the show and how amazing it is, they always bring up how amazing she is, how she deserves an award and how she steal every scene. So there!
Another opinion:
Not much. I would just like to point out ho this category really proved to be true to this name, as every type of TV show (series, mini-series and made for TV movie) had one actress from that type of TV show in the nominees list.
Well, that's my predictions for the major awards. I will let you know what happens with my picks. I might do it in a "Random Thoughts" column, or I might do it through a live blog similar to that of the Emmy awards, except it will probably be less shorter. Speaking of "Random Thoughts," it is Monday! It's also the last set of 'Thoughts' for the rest of 2009. So let's proceed to that (note: the following took place between Thursday, December 17th and Monday, December 21st):
RANDOM THOUGHTS:
- December 18th: For some reason, it just doesn't feel like Christmas to me. I don't know why, but there is just something missing. It just feels like December
December 20th (after my house was finished getting decorated and snow fell): All right, now it feels like Christmas time.
- I was watching some old Dave Chappelle stand-up, first the entire "Killing Them Softly," then some clip from three of his other ones. All I could say is: DAVE! COME BACK! THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR THIS INSTANT!
- The Bears offense against the Ravens looked more dead than Brittany Murphy. (thinking) Too soon?
- Dear God, what was up with James Franco's eyes during his stint on "Saturday Night Live"? I don't know whether he was squinting because of the lighting, or if he always does that, but that scared me and gave me chills for hours after that.
- After the Saints lost their first game of the season against Dallas, I bet Merury Morris and the rest of the '72 Douchephins were pouring little bottles of champagne, while beginning to cool the big one for the Colts loss. I just sensed it as soon as Brees fumbled the ball with 12 seconds left.
- "What Up With That?" with Kenan Thompson is slowly becoming the most epic sketch in "Saturday Night Live" history.
- What's the point of Google running commercials? I mean, it's not like it's the brand new Bing service. Basically everyone with a computer knows what it is. Besides, it's already the most profitable search engine of the Internet, ahead of Ask.com, Yahoo, and Bing, so it really seems pointless.
- From Nickelodeon Magazine to My House on 12/19:
Dear ____,
I am writing to let you know that effective with the December issue, NICKELODEON MAGAZINE is no longer being published. However, I am pleased to inform you that the remainder of your subscription will be honored by SPORTS ILLUSTRATED KIDS magazine...
You will receive your first issue of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED KIDS within the next 15 weeks. If you'd rather not receive SPORTS ILLUSTRATED KIDS, please call 1-800-788-0430 within the next four weeks to receive a refund for the remaining value of you NICKELODEON magazine subscription...
... Sincerely,
Customer Service
Well, it's official. My childhood is dead. Man, this is depressing!
- Am I the only one excited with the return of the Nike Lebron James and Kobe Bryant puppets from last year's playoffs? They are awesome!
- Reason #211 why NFL Network is awesome: they are going to show the first ever re-airing of "The Catch" game on Christmas Eve in it's entirety. I'm simply excited! Speaking of Christmas Eve, should I spend most of the primetime watching that or "It's A Wonderful Life"? I never watched the movie in ti's entirety, yet this may be the only time I ever watch "The Catch" in a way that isn't through NFL Films. I'm not putting "A Christmas Story" on the list, because it will run for 24 hours straight, so I don't have to watch it right away.
And that's the way it is! So, I'll be back either tomorrow or Wednesday, with the week 16 edition of my NFL predictions. A reminder: I'm starting on my "End of the Year" column. If you have anything that should be included in this four part segment, whether it's a story, a video, a song, a movie, etc., e-mail me at mj1599@aol.com. Finally, since this post did feature the last "Random Thoughts" of 2009, I do believe this is the right time to showcase the last "Beatle-tastic Song of the Week" of 2009.
So here we go! Ladies and gentleman, for your viewing pleasure, here is two of the band's best, "Here Come the Sun," and "Hey Jude." Enjoy:
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you want to suggest anything to mj15 on his next blog entry, e-mail him at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mail might be addressed on a future post.
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