A blog about societal, cultural, and civilizational collapse, and how to stave it off or survive it. Named after the legendary character "Crazy Eddie" in Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle's "The Mote in God's Eye." Expect news and views about culture, politics, economics, technology, and science fiction.
From Avon to New York City, the Avon High School Marching Band is set to represent Indiana on one of the nation's largest stages.
Since being selected to be featured in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the band has been hard at work to fine-tune every step of their performance set for the morning of Thanksgiving.
Students had one of their final rehearsals Thursday, Nov. 21 before traveling to New York City next week.
One of the country's biggest marching band competitions returned to the heart of the Circle City.
The Bands of America Grand National Championships brought over 110 bands to Lucas Oil Stadium for three days of performances, an expo and more events.
The preliminary round of the competition kicked off Thursday morning, Nov. 14, at 7 a.m. and ran through 10:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17.
This year, Avon High School was crowned the winner! They won by just over a point against Carmel High School.
Congratulations, Avon! It's hard enough for a band to perform at either BOA Grand Nationals or the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in a year and Avon will do both in a couple of weeks!
Follow over the jump for the rest of the marching bands in tomorrow's parades as covered by their local TV stations.
George Santos continues to live up to my prediction that he'll be a great inspiration for comedy as long as he stays in the news. Watch a NFL on Fox Cold Open as "Saturday Night Live" returns for the new year.
Fox Sports hosts (Kenan Thompson, Mikey Day, James Austin Johnson, Devon Walker, Molly Kearney) interview Rep. George Santos (Bowen Yang).
Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like Biden and Trump's classified document scandals.
Weekend Update returned to Santos later, but in the meantime, it gave the Biden documents story about as much time as it deserved — not much. Ron DeSantis's comments about Florida being a refuge of sanity during the pandemic by refusing to go along with vaccine and mask mandates also got as much respect as they deserve by referencing Florida's reputation for craziness.
Well, this is Florida, which is known for the crazy news it produces. As an expatriate Californian, I'm perversely glad that it ha[s] the insane reputation that it does; it makes California, especially southern California, look good.
First, "Everything Everywhere All at Once" won Best Picture at the Critics' Choice Awards, beating both of the Golden Globes winners, "The Fabelmans" for Drama and "The Banshees of Inisherin" for Comedy. This sets up a three-way contest for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. While I'm not optimistic about its chances, I'm rooting for "Everything Everywhere All at Once." It seems to be the best received speculative fiction film among entertainment professionals, both critics and creatives with two Golden Globes and five Critics' Choice Awards. "Avatar: The Way of Water" is the main alternative with one Critics' Choice Award for Best Special Effects, two Golden Globes nominations and six Critics' Choice Awards nominations. It's very successful at the box office, in second in the U.S. behind only "Top Gun: Maverick" among films released in 2022 and number one so far during 2023. Blockbusters like that don't win Best Picture, even if they're audience favorites.
Before I move on, my prediction that "'Nope' won't do as well at next year's Academy Awards and WorldCon" as "Dune" still looks good. Despite its win at the
Saturn Awards and nominations at the People's Choice Awards, it earned no nominations at either the Golden Globes or Critics' Choice Awards. Its IMDB page lists only three guild nominations for production design, costume design, and hair and makeup. I think it would be lucky to be nominated for one of those at the Oscars.
Michelle Yeoh accepts the award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Motion Picture for Everything Everywhere All At Once.
I'm glad Yeoh got the opportunity to finish her acceptance speech, although I'm sure her telling the piano player "Shut up, please. I can can beat you up, O.K., and that's serious" helped. She wasn't kidding. As I wrote last month, "I was even more impressed to watch her do her own stunts in a fight scene. I don't care if its for show; I would not ever want to get in a fight with her, even if I'm twice her size!"
Ke Huy Quan accepts the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Everything Everywhere All At Once.
That was just as heartfelt and inspiring speech about overcoming career obstacles as Yeoh's and I'm glad I watched it. He got to make another acceptance speech at the Critics' Choice Awards, as he won Best Supporting Actor there, too.
I'm very optimistic about his chances at the Oscars, as he has also won the equivalent Saturn Award, and has nominations at the BAFTA and SAG Awards. Those are important precursor awards before the Academy Awards.
Follow over the jump for the categories won by people behind the camera at the Critics' Choice Awards for "Everything Everywhere All at Once."
Angela Bassett accepts the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Congratulations to Angela Bassett for her second Golden Globe, first Critics' Choice Movie Award (she has already won a Critics Choice Super Award for Best Actress in an Action Series in "9-1-1"), and the first acting award from either awards show for a performer in a Marvel movie! May she continue her winning streak at the SAG Awards and earn a nomination at the Academy Awards for a chance at an Oscar. I already have her penciled in as my choice for a Saturn Award.
Not only did Bassett win for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," so did Ruth E. Carter, who took home her third Critics' Choice Award for Best Costume Design. The first of those Critics' Choice Awards was for "BlackPanther," for which she earned an Oscar. Congratulations and may she also have a winning streak that includes a second Oscar. Note that I didn't write "ends" as I have her penciled in as my vote for a Saturn Award, which should happen sometime this fall.
I am planning on posting about the rest of the diverse winners of the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards, ending with the diverse television winners. Stay tuned.
I begin with Maria Bakalova, who earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She's competing against Glenn Close for "Hillbilly Elegy," Olivia Colman for "The Father," Amanda Seyfried for "Mank," and Youn Yuh-jung for "Minari." I'm going to begin my commentary by being a good environmentalist and recycling what I wrote for Politics, government, and diversity in movie nominees at the 2021 Critics Choice Awards.
This is probably the least diverse field of nominees at these awards, with Yuh-Jung Youn from "Minari" as the only actress of color. Youn still makes this a more diverse field than the equivalent one at the Golden Globes, about which I wrote the following.
The three biggest names in this field are Glenn Close, Olivia Colman, and [Ellen Burstyn]. Grace expressed her cynicism about the Hollywood Foreign Press Association when she said that Close and Colman would only win this award if the HFPA couldn't help themselves. On the other hand, she thought...Amanda Seyfried...deserved the award [and] wants Seyfried.
The CCA didn't nominate Jodie Foster from "The Mauritanian," so if I want to root for the nominee from the most political movie, I would have to root for Maria Bakalova from "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm." I'd rather join Grace and root for Seyfried, her only choice on her nominating ballot to receive a nomination.
Congratulations, Ms. Bakalova! I hope the Motion Picture Academy voters agree with the Critics Choice Association, but I'm not sure they will, as electorates matter. I know the Hollywood Foreign Press Association had other ideas, as I suspected when I wrote Politics, government, and diversity among movie nominees at the 2021 Golden Globes.
The two actresses Grace tagged as likely to win, Maria Bakalova and Rosamund Pike, happen to act in the movies most about politics and government. In addition to the mean-spirited political pranks in "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," "I Care a Lot" is a crime caper, which means the police are involved. Of the two, I'm rooting for Pike. I've been a fan of hers since she starred in the Bond film "Die Another Day."
I got my wish; Pike won. Fortunately for Bakalova, she isn't competing against Pike or Jodie Foster, who won Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture at the Golden Globes. Neither were nominated at the Oscars. She's still competing against a very tough field that includes Glenn Close, who has been nominated for eight Oscars but never won. Close might win on sentiment alone. If she does, it would be darkly hilarious if she also wins a Razzie for the same role the night before.
The other Oscar nomination for "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" is for Best Adapted Screenplay, a category that also includes Christopher Hampton & Florian Zeller for "The Father," Chloé Zhao for "Nomadland," Kemp Powers for "One Night in Miami," and Ramin Bahrani for "The White Tiger." I can't use either the Golden Globes, where Aaron Sorkin won Best Screenplay for "The Trial of the Chicago Seven," or the Critics Choice Awards, where Chloé Zhao won for "Nomadland," for much guidance, as neither nominated Sacha Baron Cohen's screenplay. However, those electorates don't overlap with the Oscar electorate. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) includes Oscar voters, and there it won for Adapted Screenplay. Watch The 2021 Writers Guild Award for Adapted Screenplay goes to Borat Subsequent Moviefilm from WGA West.
Academy Award-nominated Sound of Metal actor Riz Ahmed presents the 2021 Writers Guild Award for Adapted Screenplay to Sacha Baron Cohen and the writers of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Peter Baynham & Erica Rivinoja & Dan Mazer & Jena Friedman & Lee Kern, Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Nina Pedrad, Based on Characters Created by Sacha Baron Cohen).
*Snork!* Baron Cohen thanking Rudy Guiliani is so on-brand. Time to recycle!
Rudy [Giuliani] really should have known better. I think [Sacha] Baron Cohen is mean-spirited prankster who doesn't like American conservatives and he gives that side of him full rein when he's Borat. Mind you, I think he's also hilarious, but his wit has barbs and a sharp point that is aimed at his interview subjects, particularly ones like Rudy.
That written, I have no sympathy for Giuliani and hope he "wins."
The least Baron Cohen could do is thank Giuliani for making things easy for him.
On the other hand, winning this award will not be that easy. While winning the WGA Award (and having a lot of writers working with him, as Baron Cohen mentioned) makes me think "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" is the favorite, I would not be the least bit surprised if the Golden Globe winner "Nomadland" pulls off an upset.
Follow over the jump for Baron Cohen's acceptance speeches at the Golden Globes.
It was a big weekend for politicians on both sides of the aisle, as the former president spoke to a gathering of ultra-conservative Republicans in Florida and New York’s governor Andrew Cuomo faced calls for his resignation after two former staffers leveled allegations of sexual harassment against him.
I'm afraid "nothing is ever over as long as Donald Trump can make money off of it" will come true. While "I'm looking forward to not having to pay attention to Donald Trump again,...wait[ing] until January 20, 2021 for that to be completely true" may not be enough. Sigh.
Sometimes I hate being right.
On the other hand, there are times when I'm glad I'm right. I shared Grace Randolph's prediction that Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor, and Atticus Ross would win Best Original Score at the Golden Globes and then shared a video about the music. While I can't claim credit for Grace's opinion, I can claim credit for supporting her correct forecast. Watch Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Jon Batiste: Best Motion Picture Score - 2021 Golden Globes from NBC.
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste accept the award for Best Original Score, Motion Picture, for Soul at the 78th annual Golden Globe Awards.
Seth takes a closer look at former President Donald Trump making his first post-presidency public appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he and his fellow Republicans continued to repeat their deranged lies.
In addition to making fun of the CPAC attendees, Seth focused on how well Trump and the other elected officials attending handled the pandemic. In particular, he contrasted how Trump's "Totally Under Control" shtick aged rapidly and poorly with how the reputation of Dr. Anthony Fauci has risen outside of conservative circles, including Brad Pitt played him on "Saturday Night Live," a performance that earned an Emmy nomination. I'd much rather be in Dr. Fauci's position than Trump's about the pandemic!
I have mixed feelings about Cuomo's postponing New York's presidential primary from April to June. It's probably a good thing from a public health perspective — the pandemic is likely to be subsiding by June — but it may not be great for democracy. In particular, the date set is after the deadline set by the DNC, so New York may get penalized by having fewer delegates accredited.
In contrast to Seth, Jimmy Kimmel's monologue had his usual wider array of subjects but still ignored Cuomo's troubles. I guess that happens when the show is broadcast out of Los Angeles instead of New York City. Watch Trump Emerges for Crazy Self-Love Fest at CPAC.
Jimmy talks about the mysterious creature known as Donald Trump returning to the stage for CPAC this weekend to talk about Biden’s first month in office and tease a potential 2024 run, the crazy merchandise sold for the event, all the laughs everyone there had, newscasters once again can’t believe that we’ve started a new month, Jodie Foster thanking Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in her Golden Globes acceptance speech, Cousin Sal winning his first award, the end of Black History Month, and we give “The Bachelor: Women Tell All” the toddler treatment.
That golden Trump statue elicited comparisons to the Golden Calf, which trended on Twitter last week, and elicited me to tweet "I should not have been surprised to see #GoldenCalf trend during the Year of the Metal Ox." Personally, I think it looks like a repurposed Big Boy figure and I'm not surprised that it was made in Mexico. LOL, irony.
Returning to the Golden Globes, I wrote "I'm rooting for Foster, the nominee from the most political movie with a nominee in this category." I'm glad to see I got my wish as well as Jimmy K. explaining why Foster thanked Aaron Rogers in her acceptance speech. Congratulations!
I conclude today's post by outsourcing my reaction to Trump speaking at CPAC to James Corden, answering his own question Did We Miss Trump?? Nope, Not Really.
James Corden kicks off the show with a pledge to go all-in to celebrate both of Ian Karmel's parents' birthdays this week. And James catches up on the headlines, including Donald Trump taking the stage at CPAC and beginning with a line usually reserved for movie villains. After, James, Ian and Reggie Watts tackle the French accent and James longs to bring the show to Australia.
I'm 100% with you, James, I don't miss Trump as President, either.
The status of Puerto Rico has been a subject of debate since the U.S. took control of the island in 1898. In 1901, the Supreme Court wrote that Puerto Rico and other new U.S. territories were “inhabited by alien races” and so may be impossible to govern “according to Anglo-Saxon principles.” The island has remained a U.S. territory ever since.
Following the recent disasters on the island – including a devastating hurricane and a series of earthquakes – Puerto Rico’s second-class status is once again in the spotlight. Should Puerto Rico become America’s 51st state?
NBCLX storyteller Bianca Graulau examines the history of the island’s unusual relationship with the U.S., and the statehood debate that has divided even Puerto Ricans.
Critics say Puerto Rico's power grid isn’t much more resilient than it was before Hurricane Maria, despite billions of dollars awarded in contracts. After Maria, some Puerto Ricans went nine months without power, and they fear it could happen again this hurricane season. NBCLX storyteller Bianca Graulau spoke to a family who lost a loved one when he had an asthma attack after the hurricane and no electricity to use his breathing machine.
It's been a long time since I've mentionedChris Christie on this blog, but I was neither that surprised that he got involved in consulting about Puerto Rico's power problems nor surprised that Puerto Rico may not be getting all that it paid for.
As for the question of statehood, that's on the ballot this November. Ballotpedia has a page on the referendum, which will be held concurrently with the general election in November. While I'm rooting for statehood, I'm not Puerto Rican. I suspect that, should the opposition to state fully participate, which I hope for the sake of a legitimate result they do, the outcome will be just as likely for continuing the Commonwealth or negotiating for Free Association. On the other hand, if statehood wins, it will be the third time in a row that the voters chose the option I favor. That written, whatever the people of Puerto Rico choose, I'll support it.
Enough about the history and politics of Puerto Rico's relationship with the rest of the United States. Follow over the jump for the piña colada recipes to celebrate today.
I listed "1917" as the one major movie about politics and government nominated at both the 2020 WGA Awards and the Critics' Choice Awards. In addition, the movie won two GoldenGlobes and three one Critics' Choice Awards, a tie with "Parasite" for Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Editing. Last night, it added another honor on the way to the Oscars, The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures the Producers Guild of America (PGA) Awards, the equivalent of Best Picture elsewhere. While congratulations are in order, Gold Derby notes that this does not mean that "1917" is a shoe-in for the Best Picture Oscar, even if it seems so at first.
We know that the Producers Guild of America has previewed a whopping 21 of the last 30 Best Picture Oscar winners including eight of the 10 since the academy expanded the category in 2010. So, that must mean “1917” is the new Academy Awards frontrunner, right? Not so fast.
Remember, the guild had gotten it wrong twice in a row before it went with “Green Book” last year and “The Shape of Water” in 2018. In 2016 “The Big Short” took the PGA award while “Spotlight” went home with the top Oscar. And in 2017 “La La Land” won over the members of the producers guild while “Moonlight” was the academy favorite.
What about the biggest voting block in the Motion Picture Academy, the actors? Gold Derby is even less sure about their predictive power.
Turns out the SAG Awards aren’t so great at predicting the Best Picture winner at the Oscars. Only 11 of the first 25 winners went on to repeat at the Academy Awards.
It doesn't help that "1917" isn't even nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, the SAG Award comparable to Best Picture. Instead, “Bombshell,” “The Irishman,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” and “Parasite” share that honor. So it's possible that, say, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” could win the SAG Award tonight to join its Critics' Choice Award, setting up a contest with "1917" that I think “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” could win. AsI'vewrittenbefore, most recently in 'RBG' vs. 'Free Solo' and other Oscar nominees at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, "Never underestimate the power of Hollywood voting for a good film or show about itself."
By the way, not only is this an example of electorates mattering, it's an example of voting systems mattering, as Gold Derby also noted.
SAG voters pick just one picture and the winner is the film that has garnered the most votes. Conversely, the producers guild adopted the same way of voting by preferential ballot as the academy did when it upped the category to 10 nominees in 2010.
While the actors outnumber the producers, it may not matter as much. If enough of them split their ballots for first, while a significant number of them pick "1917" as their second choice, it could easily win.
Follow over the jump for the rest of the PGA Award winners about politics and government.
I begin with drama series, where six of the eight nominees tackle government, politics, and activism.
BEST DRAMA SERIES
The Crown (Netflix) David Makes Man (OWN) Game of Thrones (HBO) The Good Fight (CBS All Access) Pose (FX) Succession (HBO) This Is Us (NBC) Watchmen (HBO)
Four of the field earned four nominations each, "The Crown," "Game of Thrones," "The Good Fight," and "Watchmen." Following them are "Pose" and "Succession," both with three nominations apiece. While "Game of Thrones" had good nights at the Saturn Awards and Emmy Awards, it had only one nomination at the GoldenGlobes, but lost it to "Succession," which won two Golden Globes. Of the field, "Succession" won the equivalent award at the Golden Globes. Watch NBC's "Succession" Wins Best Television Series, Drama - 2020 Golden Globes.
The producers of "Succession" accept the award for Best Television Series - Drama at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
While I think "Succession" has a good chance, it's hard to use the Golden Globes as a good method to handicap the field, as "David Makes Man," "The Good Fight," "This Is Us" and "Watchmen" were not even nominated at those awards. Speaking of which, the most nominated entry at the Critics' Choice Awards is "This Is Us" with five nominations and I wouldn't be surprised if it pulled off an upset here.
Follow over the jump for the rest of the categories.
I begin with the most nominated film about politics and government at the Critics' Choice Awards, "1917," which has eight nominations at tomorrow's ceremony.
Best Picture
Best Director – Sam Mendes
Best Cinematography – Roger Deakins
Best Production Design – Dennis Gassner, Lee Sandales
Best Editing – Lee Smith
Best Visual Effects
Best Action Movie
Best Score – Thomas Newman
"1917" already has two Golden Globes for Best Best Motion Picture -- Drama and Best Director -- Motion Picture, so it could easily win the equivalent awards tomorrow night. Both the American Film Institute and National Board of Review, USA listed it among their top ten films of 2019. The latter also awarded a Special Achievement in Filmmaking Award "for the outstanding cinematography" to Roger Deakins; the Satellite Awards also presented Best Cinematography to Deakins, so I suspect that "1917" will be a favorite for that, too.
One notable snub at the Critics' Choice Awards was Best Screenplay. However, "1917" has a nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the WGA Awards. As far as I can tell, it's the only movie about politics and government nominated in that category.
Russell Crowe accepts the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
Make no mistake. The tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate change-based. We need to act based on science, move our global workforce to renewable energy, and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place it is. That way, we all have a future.
While “Russell Crowe could not be here with us tonight because he is at home in Australia protecting his family from the devastating bushfires,” as Anniston told the audience, another Australian remained in Los Angeles to get on stage. Cate Blanchett mentioned the troubles in her home country when she presented an award.
I wanted to do a special call-out to the volunteer firefighters who have been at the center of battling the climate disaster that is facing Australia. And of course, when one country faces a climate disaster, we all face a climate disaster. So we’re in it together.
Celebrities including Cate Blanchett and Ellen DeGeneres used their Golden Globes speeches to offer support to people battling bushfires in Australia. Meanwhile Michelle Williams and Patricia Arquette used the opportunity as a political platform, urging people to vote in this year's US election.
I wish I had this video yesterday. I could have taken care of both exhorting Americans to vote and climate change in one post.
Joaquin Phoenix accepts the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
Gizmodo quoted Phoenix as well.
It’s really nice that so many people have come up and sent their well wishes to Australia, but we have to do more than that. It’s such a beautiful gesture. Together, hopefully, we can be unified and actually make some changes. It’s great to vote, but sometimes we have to take that responsibility on ourselves and make changes and sacrifices in our own lives. I hope that we can do that. We don’t have to take private jets to Palm Springs for the awards sometimes or back.
Patricia Arquette accepts the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
I am grateful to be here to celebrate this work, but you know, it is not an evening that students will remember in history textbooks. We will rather think of a country, United States of America, almost at war, against president who threatens to bomb 52 Iranian sites, including cultural sites, young people who risk their lives traveling the world, people who don’t know if bombs will fall on the heads of their children. And the continent of Australia which is on fire. I love my children with all my being but I implore you to offer a better world to our children and to their children. We have to go to vote in 2020 and we really have to ask everyone we know to go in turn in 2020. Thank you.
Michelle Williams accepts the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television at the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
EN24 News quoted Williams as well.
When we are given a Golden Globe in your hands, you recognize the choices we have made as an actor but also the choices as a person. I am delighted with this recognition of the choices that have been mine and I am delighted to live in an era where the choice exists, where it is possible. As a woman, as a girl, things can happen to our bodies that are not up to us. I have always tried not to be subjected to events that happen to me and I recognize that I have been able to direct my own career but I would not have been able to do so without exercising this right of women to choose. Choose when I will have with my children and with whom. (…) My choices are not necessarily your choices, but whatever your God, we are lucky to live in a country founded on the principle that as a woman, I have the right to live according to my faith and you can live by your faith. Ladies, when we are going to have to vote in 2020, we have to do it according to our interests because men have voted for their interests for years. It is up to us to do the same. That’s why the world replaces them, but let’s not forget that we are the most important group of voters in this world.
Another of the three movies with five Golden Globe nominations also deals with a historical social and political theme, "Green Book," which is about dealing with racial segregation and discrimination in the South during the latter days of Jim Crow. It is competing against "Vice" in all of its nominated categories, Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Viggo Mortensen who is contending with Bale, Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture in which Mahershala Ali is competing against Rockwell, and Best Director – Motion Picture and Best Screenplay – Motion Picture, where Peter Farrelly is up against McKay.
The writers of "Green Book" accept the award for Best Screenplay - Motion Picture at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
The screenplay has also been nominated at the BAFTA Awards, Critics' Choice Awards, and Satellite Awards and won several awards from local critics associations and film festival, including Detroit's. I would be surprised if it weren't nominated for Original Screenplay when the Academy Awards nominees are announced tomorrow.
Director Peter Farrelly of "Green Book" accepts the award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
"Green Book" has also been named an AFI Movie of the Year and Best Film by the National Board of Review and won the Producers Guild of America (PGA) Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures. I expect it to be nominated for Best Picture tomorrow.
Mahershala Ali accepts the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
Mahershala Ali has been nominated for this role at the BAFTA Awards, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards, Black Reel Awards, Online Film Critics Society Awards, and Satellite Awards. In addition to the Golden Globe, he has won for this role at the AACTA International Awards, Black Film Critics Circle Awards, Critics' Choice Awards, and several awards from local critics associations and film festival, including Detroit's. He should earn a nomination for Actor in a Supporting Role tomorrow.
Regina King accepts the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture at the 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
Regina King also won awards for Best Supporting Actress at the Critics' Choice Awards, National Board of Review, Online Film Critics Society Awards, and Satellite Awards, as well as numerous local critics associations. She was not, however, nominated for a SAG Award, so it is possible, but not likely, that she may not earn a nomination tomorrow morning. Too bad, as she could use the Oscar next to her Emmy Award.
Follow over the jump for other winners for diversity at the Golden Globes and Critics's Choice Awards.
At Home with Amy Sedaris (truTV) Drunk History (Comedy Central) I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman (Hulu) Portlandia (IFC) Saturday Night Live (NBC) Tracey Ullman's Show (HBO)
This is the only category in which "At Home With Amy Sedaris" and "I Love You, America With Sarah Silverman" earned nominations, and I predict both will walk away empty-handed. 'Saturday Night Live' won this category last year and I'm confident it will win it again this year.
I was closer with my pick for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy, where I wrote "The speculative fiction fan in me wants this to go to Maya Rudolph, but I think it will between one of the hosts of SNL and Jane Lynch. Yes, more 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.'" Tiffany Haddish was a guest host of SNL, so I'll count this as a success.
Tiffany Haddish talks with the Emmys Thank You Cam after winning for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.
Congratulations to Haddish, who I think is cute, funny, and deserving of her stardom. May she have a long and successful career in entertainment and bring much joy to her fans.
Game of Thrones takes home the award for Outstanding Drama Series.
I made an even firmer prediction in the next category.
Every nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series represents speculative fiction show or a series that examines politics and government with some examining both — more fantastic and futuristic politics and government!
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Jaime Lannister on Game of Thrones (Episode: "The Spoils of War") (HBO)
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones (Episode: "The Dragon and the Wolf") (HBO)
Joseph Fiennes as Commander Fred Waterford on The Handmaid's Tale (Episode: "First Blood") (Hulu)
David Harbour as Jim Hopper on Stranger Things (Episode: "Chapter Four: Will the Wise") (Netflix)
Mandy Patinkin as Saul Berenson on Homeland (Episode: "Species Jump") (Showtime)
Matt Smith as Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on The Crown (Episode: "Mystery Man") (Netflix)
I asked what if the entertainment professionals voted on the television acting nominations at the Saturn Awards? The answer for this category was that Peter Dinklage would replace Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as a nominee. It turns out that the Saturn Award nominating committee got Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's nomination right, just as they did for Adina Porter in "American Horror Story: Cult." On the other hand, I was right to think that Peter Dinklage deserved a nomination as well. Sorry, Kit Harington. I also called that the professionals would pick David Harbour, who the Saturn Awards snubbed. All of them, plus Joseph Fiennes from "The Handmaid's Tale," performed in series that potray fantastic and futuristic politics and government, so any of them winning would satisfy me. As for who would win, I'm personally rooting for Harbour, who won a Critics' Choice Award, but I think the trophy will go to Dinklage, who is the only one of the nominees to win this category, which he did twice, most recently in 2015.
Alexis Bledel as Emily / Ofsteven on The Handmaid's Tale (Episode: "Unwomen") (Hulu)
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven on Stranger Things (Episode: "Chapter Three: The Pollywog") (Netflix)
Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia on The Handmaid's Tale (Episode: "June") (Hulu)
Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister on Game of Thrones (Episode: "The Dragon and the Wolf") (HBO)
Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret on The Crown (Episode: "Beryl") (Netflix)
Thandie Newton as Maeve Millay on Westworld (Episode: "Akane no Mai") (HBO)
Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy Waterford on The Handmaid's Tale (Episode: "Women's Work") (Hulu)
My personal favorite is Thandie Newton, who I liked better than Evan Rachel Wood in this season of "Westworld," followed by Millie Bobby Brown. Unfortunately, I don't think either will win. Instead, this category features a match-up between two of last year's winners, Ann Dowd, who won this award last year, and Alexis Bledel, who won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for the same role last year. Between the two of them, I think Dowd has the inside track. My choice for upset would be either Newton or Vanessa Kirby. The first would at least be a win for diversity as well as great acting, while the latter would be an example of a great role elevating a performance.
Thandie Newton wins the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Westworld.
So "Westworld" isn't really about futuristic government (the one time actual government shows up in the form of the People's Liberation Army, they get chased off the island), but it is my favorite of all the nominated speculative fiction shows, so I'm happy. Congratulations to Thandie Newton, F-bomb and all!
Last year, "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver" won four Emmy Awards, Outstanding Talk Variety Series, Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Outstanding Picture Editing for a Variety Series, and Outstanding Interactive Program. This year, it won the same four awards. Nothing like consistency. Speaking of which, I called all four wins. I wasn't so lucky with the other Creative Arts and Primetime Emmy Awards — follow over the jump for two of my misses.
The award for Outstanding Variety Talk Series goes to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
Congratulations to John Oliver, his writers, picture editors, and interactive show creators!
In the first episode after the Emmy Awards, Oliver and his writers described how Facebook moved fast and broke things, especially in Myanmar.
Facebook’s global expansion has been linked to political turmoil overseas, so maybe their ads should focus less on how they “connect the world” and more on why connecting people isn’t always the best idea.
I consider this season of "American Crime Story" to be the favorite to win Outstanding Limited Series, as it has the most nominations, won Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials at the TCA Awards last month, and its predecessor, "The People v. O. J. Simpson," won this award two years ago. I also think that Darren Criss has the best chance of winning of all six acting nominees, having been nominated at both the TCA Awards and the MTV Movie and TV Awards, a rare confluence of critical and popular opinion.
"The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story" won seven of the thirteen awards it could have, Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for Darren Criss, Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special, Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series, Movie or Special, Outstanding Contemporary Costumes, Outstanding Hairstyling for a Limited Series or Movie, and Outstanding Makeup for a Limited Series or Movie (Non-Prosthetic). Watch as The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story Wins Outstanding Limited Series on NBC.
Ryan Murphy from The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story accepts the award for Outstanding Limited Series.
Murphy's point about prejudice and hate crimes puts this mini-series into the kind of broader perspective that makes it a worthy examination of American society and history beyond merely an entertaining true story about crime and punishment.
While I called "The Assassination Of Gianni Versace" as the winner of Outstanding Limited Series, I did not actually call Darren Criss winning Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. True, I did wrote that "Darren Criss [had] the best chance of winning of all six acting nominees," but I actually called for Jeff Daniels instead. That was not my first instinct, which was Criss, and I should have stuck with it. On that note, watch as Darren Criss Wins Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie at the 70th Emmy Awards on NBC.
Darren Criss from The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story accepts the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.
I went with Daniels because he grew up here. If I had known that Criss had gone to the University of Michigan, I would definitely have picked him. Go Blue!
"Godless" has the distinction of earning the next most Emmy Awards with three. Here are my predictions.
The strongest nominees are probably Jeff Daniels, who earned acting nominations at the Critics' Choice Awards and SAG Awards, and Scott Frank, who earned a writing nomination from the WGA and a directing nomination from the DGA. My favorite though, is the main title theme.
Jeff Daniels from Godless accepts the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.
I did call Daniels winning this award, as I did say he was among the strongest nominees from the mini-series and wrote that it would be between him and Michael Stuhlbarg. He certainly gave a funny acceptance speech and I'm pleased that he won, but not nearly as pleased as wishing more than calling the next catgory.
I'll go out on a limb and pick Wever, who I enjoyed when she was on "The Walking Dead" and I wish was still there, as she lasted much longer in the comic. When her character died, I thought, "No! You idiots just killed off the only character in the show whose performer in the cast who has won an Emmy!" Winning for "Godless" would make up for that.
Merritt Wever from Godless accepts the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.
While I thought she deserved it, I'm not sure she did. That's O.K., your fans love you.
While the Emmy voters rewarded my hopes for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, they completely surprised me in the next category.
The nominees in this category [Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie] have the least overlap with those in Outstanding Limited Series, as only "Godless" appears in both, while "The Tale" is a Television Movie nominee. These are the only nominations for "The Sinner," "Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders," and "Seven Seconds"...I find this another difficult category to pick, as Laura Dern, Edie Falco, and Sarah Paulson are all previous Emmy winners, Michelle Dockery and Regina King have multiple Emmy nominations, and Jessica Biel gave a riveting performance in the first season of "The Sinner." While Paulson is the only prior winner in this category, Dern won an Emmy last year and probably gave the most compelling performance, so I'll choose her as the favorite.
Regina King from Seven Seconds accepts the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.
While she seems as surprised as I was — she probably expected Dern to win, too — I've seen her work over the years, especially in "The Leftovers," and thought she deserved her award. He win also highlighted a related theme to that of "The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story," the effect of prejudice and tolerance for expressions of it in our society.
That written, congratulations to you and all the acting winners for limited series! Follow over the jump for the limited series that won Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
While "The Shape of Water" was the most nominated film with seven nominations, it won only two awards, Best Director and Best Original Score, falling behind "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri," which earned four statuettes and tying "Lady Bird." That written, it was the most recognized speculative fiction film as well as a victory for diversity. Watch Guillermo del Toro Wins Best Director at the 2018 Golden Globes.
Guillermo del Toro accepts the award for Best Director at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
I called Del Toro one of the big name directors along with Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg. I also wrote "'I'm rooting for Nolan,' but I'm not optimistic." I was right to not be optimistic. I should also root for Del Toro.
As for the next category, I wrote "I still think Zimmer will pull this one off for 'Dunkirk,' but I'm beginning to worry about Alexandre Desplat and especially John Williams winning instead." Again, I was right to worry. Watch The Shape of Water Wins Best Original Score at the 2018 Golden Globes.
Composer Alexandre Desplat accepts the award for Best Original Score at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
Now I'm going to have to listen to the soundtrack.
Writer and director Lee Unkrich accepts the award for Best Motion Picture - Animated at the 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
I've written about my visit to Oaxaca and its observation of the Day of the Dead, so I would enjoy this movie. I would also enjoy its songs, including the one I expect to be nominated for an Oscar, "Remember Me." I'll be listening to them right after I finish the soundtrack to "The Shape of Water."
Follow over the jump for other winners for diversity and speculative fiction at the Golden Globes.
