the awards editions 2010-2011

tHe GoLden GLoBeS’
tv CateGoRIeS need FReSH meat
What’s NeW?
By Ray RICHmond
When it comes to the Golden Globes, people tune in to
see Hollywood press the flesh, TV stars mingle with
movie stars, and a much–hyped award show from the
insular Hollywood Foreign Press Association. But
studios and networks see the 68th annual Golden
Globe Awards as a night–long marketing opportunity
and lavishly lobby the HFPA to score nominations.
That’s especially true in television. The problem is
that this year’s freshman class of fall primetime shows is lacking the “wow” factor of last
year’s Glee (Fox) and Modern Family (ABC). Sure, HBO’s high–pricetag drama Boardwalk
Empire comes complete with big screen character actor Steve Buscemi and indieprod regular
Michael Pitt and legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese and Sopranos writing alum Terence
Winter. But will that satisfy the HFPA’s penchant for putting star wattage above other
factors? When Globe nominations are announced on December 14, expect the usual TV
awards season suspects like Mad Men’s Jon Hamm (AMC) and The Closer’s Kyra Sedgwick
and Nurse Jackie’s Edie Falco (Showtime), as well as 30 Rock’s Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin
(NBC), and The Office’s Steve Carell (NBC). But the HFPA may also embrace other famous
faces like Sopranos fave Michael Imperioli for Detroit 1–8–7 (ABC) or The Shield’s
Michael Chiklis (ABC) and Dexter’s Julie Benz for No Ordinary Family (ABC), or big and
small screen starlet Piper Perabo for Covert Affairs (USA).
HeRe IS an eaRLy Look at WHat and WHo mIGHt Be In GoLden GLoBe ContentIon:
dRama
The class is obviously Boardwalk Empire (HBO) given its production pedigree and sizeable
buzz. That said, there is always the chance that HFPA members will heed the decidedly mixed
critical reception that’s greeted the Prohibition–period series. Despite his modest awards
nomination history that includes a Globe nod for Ghost World in 2002, Buscemi has to be seen
as a strong contender since he’s a movie guy doing television. That isn’t the case with Chiklis,
but he’s got nice history with the HFPA (three nominations for The Shield, including a win in
2003). Rubicon (AMC) and relative unknown James Badge Dale had the best chance to bust
through until the show was recently cancelled. No matter: AMC’s Mad Men may make it four
wins in a row. The first seasons of HBO’s kudo–ed Treme with Melissa Leo (an Oscar nominee
for Frozen River in 2009) and Justified (FX) with Timothy Olyphant (as crime novelist
Elmore Leonard’s macho 21st century U.S. Marshal) could get attention.
24 deadline.com
Comedy oR mUSICaL
Both Glee and Modern Family could sweep since no performer from either show won last
year. But, with so many quality contenders, The Big C (Showtime) may debut a nomination
due to the cancer victim performance of awards magnet Laura Linney. Plus, the HFPA
seems on a Showtime high of late. Then there’s Californication’s David Duchovny (Showtime)
who has been nominated seven times. Louie (FX) starring Louis C.K. has the single
camera favored by the HFPA which hasn’t honored a multi–camera series in years. Sophomore
HBO comedy Bored to Death also has a shot with its star power (Jason Schwartzman,
Ted Danson, and Zach Galifianakis) even though it’s received lukewarm reviews. Working
in its favor is a recent third season renewal. Of course, the HFPA could honor quirky, like
David Cross in The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margret (IFC), William Shatner in
$#*! My Dad Says (CBS), and Betty White in Hot in Cleveland (TV Land).
the 68 th aNNual GoldeN Globe aWards Will be held JaNuary 16 at the beverly hiltoN aNd be broadcast live oN Nbc.