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No ‘Fringe’ or ‘Community?’ This year’s Globes are not so Golden
There were few surprises in Tuesday morning’s Golden Globes nominations, except that I managed to get up in time to watch them stream live on the Internet. That’s probably fitting for a lackluster TV year that saw no real breakout hits on the order of “Glee” or “Modern Family” (both were honored with nominations).
For the most part, the usual suspects populated the list.
I was glad to see HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” receive a best show nod as well as nominations for actor (Steve Buscemi) and actress (Kelly McDonald). The slow-moving character study has yet to hit its stride but, now that all the characters are in place, season two should kick into gear and, hopefully, attract more viewers.
Another HBO property, “Temple Grandin” (filmed in and around Austin) also received a trio of nominations. HBO took the most television honors with a dozen nods.
Showtime, second in the Globes derby with eight nominations, netted welcome recognition for Laura Linney, so good in “The Big C” (also nominated for best comedy).
AMC fared less well, garnering only five nods. It was an off-season for the network, with “Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men” riding high; zombie drama “The Walking Dead” playing to record numbers of viewers; and the tedious “Rubicon” tanking. I hope “Mad Men’s” Elizabeth Moss takes home the trophy for Best Actress in a Drama. Her work this season, especially in the episode “The Suitcase,” was stunning.
There were a couple of head-scratchers on the list. Let’s start with Piper Perabo, nominated for Best Actress for her work on USA Network’s “Covert Affairs.” Her character was fun to watch, but was it award-worthy? Up against Moss, Julianna Margulies, Kyra Sedgwick and Katey Sagal (hey — there’s a great nom!) … no.
Ditto for Thomas Jane (HBO’s “Hung”) and the competition he faces in the Best Comedic Actor race, one of the more stale categories … again.
And where are “Fringe” and “Community?” Failing to nominate network TV’s best drama and the hands-down most creative, risk-taking, envelope-pushing comedy on the tube is inexcusable.
“Fringe’s” John Noble has been snubbed perennially, but this year actress Anna Torv deserves a nomination just for taking a character I couldn’t have cared less about for the better part of two seasons and making her human and riveting.
“Community” has walked a delicate tightrope. In constant danger of becoming too self-aware and clever, the show has expanded from its popular genre-parodies and embraced inspired lunacy (dorms at a community college? Dorms with blanket forts massive enough to house parades?) in a way that never seemed so effortless on “30 Rock” or “The Office.”
Finally, would it have been too much to ask for Ted Danson to be nominated for his work on HBO’s caperish “Bored to Death?” This show’s not everyone’s cup of weed, but how many times can the former “Cheers” star re-invent himself? It’s impressive.
What did you think of the Globe nominations? Which shows and performances did the Hollywood Foreign Press miss? Sound off in the comments.
The Awards will be broadcast on NBC Sunday, January 16, 2011 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. (CST) from the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Ricky Gervais will once again host.
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By Bobbie
December 14, 2010 9:13 PM | Link to this
If you watched Community's stop action episode, you have to scratch your head on why it wasn't nominated. Comparing The Big Bang Theory against Community and Community comes out far ahead in the comedy department. Big Bang Theory gets the press and I fault NBC for not showcasing Community more.
By John
December 14, 2010 3:30 PM | Link to this
I'm right there with you on Ted Danson, Anna Torv and John Noble, Dale - all three actors did terrific work this year and were worthy of the acclaim. I'd even like to see a supporting nod for the brother in law on Breaking Bad played by Dean Norris, who really won me over this season. Fringe and Boardwalk Empire joined Mad Men and Breaking Bad for me this year as first-class entertainments, and any attention they can garner that brings in more viewers is great in my book.