'Plur1bus' vs. 'Alien: Earth' and 'Star Wars: Skeleton Crew' for Best New Genre Series at the Saturn Awards

I told my readers, "I have one or two more posts planned for the Saturn Awards nominees before the awards on Sunday night, so stay tuned." Without any further ado, here are the nominees for Best New Genre Series.

Best New Genre Series:

Alien: Earth
Outlander: Blood of My Blood
Pluribus
Robin Hood
Spartacus: House of Ashur
Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

Pluribus leads this category with four nominations, followed by Alien: Earth and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew tied at three each, then Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Robin Hood, and Spartacus: House of Ashur with just this one. The professional choices are Pluribus and Alien: Earth, both of which earned Critics Choice Award nominations and the former also a Golden Globe nomination along with awards for Rhea Seehorn for her acting. I voted for Pluribus, but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if Alien: Earth wins instead. I also wouldn't be surprised if Star Wars: Skeleton Crew or Outlander: Blood of My Blood upsets both of the professional picks. Both of the latter have dedicated fandoms and the former was a really fun adaptation of Treasure Island combined with Goonies/Stranger Things that worked in a Star Wars setting. As I last wrote in Animation and International Film nominees at the Saturn Awards, "the Saturn Awards are about entertainment not art, they don't care for subtle, and they love to stick it to the experts." Also, electorates matter.

Follow over the jump for the remaining television nominees plus all of my votes and some predictions.

'Stranger Things' leads Best Fantasy Television Series at the Saturn Awards

I'm returning to Saturn Awards coverage with the nominees for Best Fantasy Television Series.

Best Fantasy Television Series:

Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches
Ghosts
The Librarians: The Next Chapter
Outlander
Stranger Things
Wednesday

As Deadline Hollywood reported, Stranger Things leads this category with five nominations, followed by Outlander with three, Wednesday with two, and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, Ghosts, and The Librarians: The Next Chapter with just this one. This sets up a fight between the organized fandoms of Stranger Things and Outlander. Popculturememes uploaded 'Stranger Things 5' Dominates 2026 Saturn Award Nominations With 5 Major Nods!

The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films has officially announced the nominees for the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards, and Stranger Things 5 is leading the pack for television. The series secured a nomination for Best Fantasy Television Series, cementing its status as the "king of nostalgia horror" even in its final season.

But the honors didn't stop at the series level. The cast also cleaned up with several individual nominations, proving that the performances in the series finale were some of the strongest in the show's decade-long history:

Best Actress in a Television Series: Millie Bobby Brown

Best Young Performer in a Television Series: Sadie Sink & Noah Schnapp

Best Guest Star in a Television Series: Linda Hamilton

The show is tied with other genre giants like Andor and IT: Welcome to Derry, each earning 5 nominations. The ceremony is set to take place on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Universal Hilton in Los Angeles, with Joel McHale returning to host for his fourth consecutive year.

The same search that retrieved this video returned six other shorts, mostly about Sadie Sink and Noah Schnapp's nominations. That's a sign of an enthusiastic fandom.

Meanwhile, Outlander fandom, which skews older, is running a Twitter/X campaign with images like this.


This isn't quite the official campaign Starz ran in 2021, but it is something.

Between the two, I voted for Stranger Things, although I would not be the least surprised if Outlander wins.

By the way, seeing Ghosts and Wednesday here makes me miss the Best Genre Comedy category that debuted at last year's awards. If it had returned, I'd have voted for Wednesday.

Follow over the jump for the two acting categories I haven't covered yet.

'Dexter: Resurrection' leads television nominees at the Saturn Awards

I promised coverage of the television nominees at the Saturn Awards as this week's Sunday entertainment feature, but technology didn't cooperate twice, then the router arrived today and my wife set it up while I was at work — thanks! — so I'm uploading it today.

I begin by returning to Deadline Hollywood, which reported "Among the TV nominees, Showtime/Paramount+’s Dexter: Resurrection led the way with six nominations, followed by Andor, It: Welcome to Derry and Stranger Things with five apiece." This list, which passed my accuracy check, sets my agenda for the first four posts examining the television nominees, so I begin with Dexter: Resurrection and the shows nominated against it.

Best Thriller Television Series:

Dark Winds
Dexter: Resurrection
The Lowdown
MobLand
The Rainmaker
Your Friends and Neighbors

As Deadline Hollywood reported, Dexter: Resurrection leads both all television nominees and the nominees in this category with six nominations, while the rest of the nominees in this field have only this one nomination, so it's the favorite. It helps that at least two accounts on Twitter are mounting an awards campaign for Dexter: Resurrection. I didn't vote for it. Instead, I voted for Dark Winds, which my wife and I are fans of. I won't be disappointed if it loses to Dexter: Resurrection. In fact, I expect it.

I won't complain about the quality of the field, but I'm making a note to myself to submit my own list of thriller and mystery TV series next December. If I had done so last year, it wouldn't have changed my vote or the likely winner, but I might at least know who the other nominees are.

Follow over the jump for the actors from Dexter: Resurrection nominated at the Saturn Awards.

'Severance' leads Science Fiction/Fantasy Series but could lose to 'Andor' at the Super Awards

I closed 'The Last of Us' leads TV nominees at the Critics Choice Super Awards by telling my audience "The next day I could continue this series would be Tuesday the 15th, but that's when this year's Primetime and Creative Arts Emmy nominations will be announced, and I might prioritize those." The Emmy nominations won't be announced until 11:30 A.M. EDT and I don't want to wait that long to start blogging, so Super Awards it is.

The next category with series that have the most nominations is Science Fiction/Fantasy, where there are two shows with four nominations each, Severance and Fallout. All of Severance's nominations are in Science Fiction/Fantasy, while three of Fallout's are in Superhero, where video game properties also reside, so Severance wins the tiebreaker. Besides, Fallout isn't even nominated in this category, just Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie. Andor and Black Mirror both have three nominations, followed by Doctor Who and Fantasmas tied at two, and Dune: Prophecy with just this one. I think this is between Severance and Andor with Black Mirror as a spoiler.


Walter Goggins is having a moment — I expect he will earn a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the Emmy Awards for his role in The White Lotus by the time I post this (ETA: he did) and he has a second nomination for this role at these awards in Best Actor in a Superhero Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie — but I don't think he's going to win this award. Instead, I think it's between Diego Luna and Adam Scott.


I'm sharing this image not because I think Caitriona Balfe will win — she might and I would be happy if she did, although I think a couple of actresses have a better shot — but because she appears to have the one campaign going for this award. It's from her fans, not the studio, but at least they believe in her. I think Cristin Milioti, who has another nomination for The Penguin (and she just got an Emmy nomination for it), Kathrin Hahn, and Britt Lower have better odds to win. Michelle Yeoh is an Oscar winner, but I'm not sure Star Trek: Section 31 is the best vehicle for her.

No science fiction or fantasy show earned a nominee for its villain, so on to what these nominations mean for the Saturn Awards. Severance, Andor, Black Mirror, Doctor Who, Dune: Prophecy, Outlander, and Star Trek: Section 31 should all earn nominations, although not all as Best Science Fiction Series. Season One of Severance landed in Horror / Thriller Series, Outlander moved from Fantasy to Action/Adventure/Thriller, and Star Trek: Section 31 could be a Science Fiction Film or Presentation on Television. It wouldn't surprise me if Superman & Lois competed in Science Fiction again. It has and it won.

I have one more genre to cover, Action, which I expect will be a sweep or nearly so for Shogun. Now excuse me while I watch the Emmy nominations announcement.

Previous entries about the 5th Critics Choice Super Awards

• 'Deadpool & Wolverine' and 'Thunderbolts*' lead movie nominees at the Critics Choice Super Awards
• 'Dune: Part Two' at the Critics Choice Super Awards
• 'Sinners' leads Best Horror Movie nominees at the Critics Choice Super Awards
• Drink to the action movie nominees at the Critics Choice Super Awards on National Piña Colada Day
• 'The Last of Us' leads TV nominees at the Critics Choice Super Awards

My Saturn Awards votes vs. winners for Wayback 'Wednesday'

It's Wayback Wednesday! I couldn't resist a good visual pun to introduce this retrospective of the top posts of the 13th year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News, as the most read entry of the past year, both calendar and blogging, was about the Saturn Awards, which honored Wednesday at this year's ceremony with the show winning Best Fantasy Television Series and its star Jenna Ortega winning Best Younger Performer in a Television Series. I'm thrilled to remind my readers that I voted for both winners, so congratulations to me for getting those categories correct and the show and Miss Ortega on their awards!

Of course, not all my votes were for winners, so it's time to compare my picks with the actual awardees.


FILM AWARDS
Best Action / Adventure Film: My vote — The Woman King. Winner — Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, one of the films I thought would win.
Best Actor in a Film: My vote — Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer). Winner — "I expect the plurality of Saturn Award voters will cast their ballots for Harrison Ford" and they did.
Best Actress in a Film: My vote — Margot Robbie (Barbie). Winner — Margot Robbie.
Best Animated Film: My vote — Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Winner — Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Best Fantasy Film: My vote — Barbie. Winner — "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has one more nomination and it might win because 'the Saturn Awards are about entertainment not art, they don't care for subtle, and they love to stick it to the experts.' Voting for what is supposed to be Harrison Ford's last outing as Indiana Jones would do all three. So would voting for Ford himself." Both won.
Best Film Costume Design: My vote — Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Ruth E. Carter). Winner — Barbie, and I'm happy it won instead, as it was the other professional choice and my second choice.
Best Film Direction: My vote — Greta Gerwig (Barbie). Winner — "I wouldn't put it past them to vote for Cameron because the Oscars snubbed him. As I've written about the Saturn Awards for years, 'the Saturn Awards are about entertainment not art, they don't care for subtle, and they love to stick it to the experts.' Voting for Cameron would do all three." The Saturn Awards electorate did as I expected.
Best Film Editing: My vote — Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (Andrew Buckland, Michael McCusker, Dirk Westervelt). Winner — Oppenheimer, which I conscientiously objected to, but was still the Oscar winner.
Best Film Make Up: My vote — Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 3 (Alexei Dmitriew, Lindsay Macgowen and Shane Mahan). Winner — The Covenant, first surprise, although I wrote "The rest of the Saturn Award electorate will probably vote for a horror film."
Best Film Music: My vote — Barbie (Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt). Winner — "I fully expect the plurality of the Saturn Awards electorate will vote for John Williams" so he won.
Best Film Production Design: My vote — Barbie (Sara Greenwood). Winner — Barbie.
Best Film Screenwriting: My vote — Barbie (Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach). Winner — Avatar: The Way of Water (James Cameron and Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. "I don't care what the rest of the Saturn Awards voters think about this category."
Best Film Visual / Special Effects: My vote — Avatar: The Way of Water (Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett). Winner — Avatar: The Way of Water.
Best Horror Film: My vote — Renfield. Winner — Talk to Me, which had the second most nominations.
Best Independent Film: My vote — Pearl. Winner — Pearl.
Best International Film: My vote — Speak No Evil (Denmark). Winner — "Before I researched the nominees, Sisu was first choice." My gut was right and I should have listened to it.
Best Science Fiction Film: My vote — Avatar: The Way of Water. Winner — Avatar: The Way of Water.
Best Superhero Film: My vote — Guardians of the Galaxy - Volume 3. Winner — Guardians of the Galaxy - Volume 3.
Best Supporting Actor in a Film: My vote — Ryan Gosling (Barbie). Winner — Nicolas Cage (Renfield). That was a complete surprise, although it fits the pattern of "the Saturn Awards are about entertainment not art, they don't care for subtle, and they love to stick it to the experts."
Best Supporting Actress in a Film: My vote — Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever). Winner — "Emily Blunt has nominations for Supporting Actress in a film at both the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes, which the other actresses in this year's nominated films didn't earn" — a legitimate choice.
Best Thriller Film: My vote — Oppenheimer. Winner — Oppenheimer.
Best Younger Performer in a Film: My vote — Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid). Winner — Xolo Maridueña, Blue Beetle, my second choice.


TELEVISION AWARDS
Best Action / Adventure / Thriller Television Series: My vote — Outlander. Winner — Outlander.
Best Actor in a Television Series: My vote — Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us). Winner — "I wouldn't be surprised if Patrick Stewart wins, as he won two years ago."
Best Actress in a Television Series: My vote — Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk: Attorney-at-Law). Winner — Caitriona Balfe, Outlander, who I was going to vote for until I changed my mind on the next-to-last day.
Best Animated Television Series or Special: My vote — Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. Winner — "The Bad Batch won that match and might win again, but they'll do it without my vote." The show did.
Best Fantasy Television Series: My vote — Wednesday. Winner — Wednesday.
Best Guest Star in a Television Series: My vote — Nick Offerman (The Last of Us). Winner — "I don't know if the Saturn Awards electorate can resist a good James Kirk, and [Paul] Wesley makes a good Kirk." Paul Wesley, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Best Horror Television Series: My vote — The Last of Us. Winner — The Last of Us.
Best New Genre Television Series: My vote — The Last of Us. Winner — Andor. That's a legitimate choice given its Emmy nominations.
Best Science Fiction Television Series: My vote — Star Trek: Picard. Winner — Star Trek: Picard.
Best Superhero Television Series: My vote — She-Hulk: Attorney-at-Law. Winner — "Superman & Lois is the favorite, not only because it leads in nominations but also because won Best Science Fiction Television Series: Network/Cable last year. I'm pretty sure it will win, but I'm not voting for it." It still won.
Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series: My vote — Ethan Peck (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds). Winner — Jonathan Frakes, Star Trek: Picard. "My choice is between the once and future Number Ones, Frakes and Peck." I chose the wrong Number One.
Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series: My vote — Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Picard). Winner — Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Picard).
Best Television Presentation: My vote — Black Mirror. Winner — Marvel’s Werewolf by Night. "Marvel’s Werewolf by Night ties with The Midnight Club for the most nominated in this category" and I should have paid more attention to that.
Best Young Performer in a Television Series: My vote — Jenna Ortega (Wednesday). Winner — Jenna Ortega (Wednesday).


HOME ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS
Best 4K Home Media Release: My vote — Star Trek: The Motion Picture - The Director's Edition 4K. Winner — John Wick, Chapter 4 – 4K (Lionsgate Home Entertainment), my second choice.
Best Classic Film Home Media Release: My vote — The Manchurian Candidate 4K. Winner — Invaders from Mars 4K (Ignite). Not surprised.
Best Film Home Media Collection: My vote — Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror, Volume 2. Winner — Superman 1978-1987 4K Collection (Warner Home Video). I thought about it and I chose wrong.
Best Television Home Media Release: My vote — Loki (Season 1) – 4K Steelbook. Winner — Night Gallery, Season 3 (Kino Lorber). Not surprised here, either.

Follow over the jump for the top posts about the Saturn Awards from the 13th year of the blog, all of which are from the back catalog.

My Saturn Awards votes for National Science Fiction Day 2024

I closed DC vs. Marvel on television and home entertainment at the Saturn Awards by telling my readers "I'll return to reveal my votes on National Science Fiction Day...Now off to vote!" Here are my votes.


FILM AWARDS
Best Action / Adventure Film: My vote — The Woman King
Best Actor in a Film: My vote — Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)
Best Actress in a Film: My vote — Margot Robbie (Barbie)
Best Animated Film: My vote — Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Best Fantasy Film: My vote — Barbie
Best Film Costume Design: My vote — Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Ruth E. Carter)
Best Film Direction: My vote — Greta Gerwig (Barbie)
Best Film Editing: My vote — Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (Andrew Buckland, Michael McCusker, Dirk Westervelt)
Best Film Make Up: My vote — Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 3 (Alexei Dmitriew, Lindsay Macgowen and Shane Mahan)
Best Film Music: My vote — Barbie (Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt)
Best Film Production Design: My vote — Barbie (Sara Greenwood)
Best Film Screenwriting: My vote — Barbie (Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach)
Best Film Visual / Special Effects: My vote — Avatar: The Way of Water (Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett)
Best Horror Film: My vote — Renfield
Best Independent Film: My vote — Pearl
Best International Film: My vote — Speak No Evil (Denmark)
Best Science Fiction Film: My vote — Avatar: The Way of Water
Best Superhero Film: My vote — Guardians of the Galaxy - Volume 3
Best Supporting Actor in a Film: My vote — Ryan Gosling (Barbie)
Best Supporting Actress in a Film: My vote — Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever)
Best Thriller Film: My vote — Oppenheimer
Best Younger Performer in a Film: My vote — Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid)


TELEVISION AWARDS
Best Action / Adventure / Thriller Television Series: My vote — Outlander
Best Actor in a Television Series: My vote — Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us)
Best Actress in a Television Series: My vote — Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk: Attorney-at-Law)
Best Animated Television Series or Special: My vote — Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
Best Fantasy Television Series: My vote — Wednesday
Best Guest Star in a Television Series: My vote — Nick Offerman (The Last of Us)
Best Horror Television Series: My vote — The Last of Us
Best New Genre Television Series: My vote — The Last of Us
Best Science Fiction Television Series: My vote — Star Trek: Picard
Best Superhero Television Series: My vote — She-Hulk: Attorney-at-Law
Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series: My vote — Ethan Peck (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds)
Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series: My vote — Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Picard)
Best Television Presentation: My vote — Black Mirror
Best Young Performer in a Television Series: My vote — Jenna Ortega (Wednesday)


HOME ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS
Best 4K Home Media Release: My vote — Star Trek: The Motion Picture - The Director's Edition 4K
Best Classic Film Home Media Release: My vote — The Manchurian Candidate 4K
Best Film Home Media Collection: My vote — Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror, Volume 2
Best Television Home Media Release: My vote — Loki (Season 1) – 4K Steelbook

The awards will be presented on February 4th. Until then, happy National Science Fiction Day!

Previous posts about the 51st Saturn Awards

• 'Avatar: The Way of Water' leads Saturn Awards with 12 nominations
• 'Oppenheimer' leads thriller films at the Saturn Awards with 11 nominations
• 'Barbie' vs. 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' for Best Fantasy Film at the Saturn Awards
• 'Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3' leads Best Superhero Film nominees at the Saturn Awards
• 'Renfield,' 'John Wick 4,' 'Jules,' and 'Pearl' lead horror, action, and independent films at the Saturn Awards
• 'Star Trek' vs. 'Star Wars' at the 51st Saturn Awards
• Horror, Fantasy, and Action/Adventure/Thriller TV nominees at the 51st Saturn Awards
• DC vs. Marvel on television and home entertainment at the Saturn Awards

Horror, Fantasy, and Action/Adventure/Thriller TV nominees at the 51st Saturn Awards

I begin today's installment of my Saturn Awards series, as I have most previous ones, by quoting Deadline: "HBO/Max’s The Last of Us had five...including acting noms for stars...Pedro Pascal" and Bella Ramsey. It's the leading horror TV series nominee. I'm also examining the nominees for Fantasy and Action/Adventure/Thriller TV Series, as the leading shows in both genres, Wednesday, House of the Dragon, and Outlander, have four nominations each. This is at least the second time I've combined my examinations of Outlander, fantasy, and horror nominees, as I did so in 'Outlander,' 'The Walking Dead,' and other fantasy, horror, and science fiction nominees at the Saturn Awards two years ago. Precedent!

Follow over the jump for the nominees in these genres plus one acting category I didn't cover yesterday.

My 2022 Saturn Awards votes

I closed I found an eighth Saturn Award nomination for 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' in home entertainment by telling my readers "With that, it's time to cast my votes. I'll report back when I have. Stay tuned." Here they are for this week's Sunday entertainment update.

FILM AWARDS
Best Action / Adventure Film: Top Gun: Maverick
Best Actor in a Film: Timothee Chalamet (Dune)
Best Actress in a Film: Emma Stone (Cruella)
Best Animated Film: Encanto
Best Fantasy Film: Cruella
Best Film Costume Design: Cruella (Jenny Beavan)
Best Film Direction: Steve Spielberg (West Side Story)
Best Film Editing: Top Gun: Maverick (Eddie Hamilton)
Best Film Make Up: The Batman (Mike Marino, Naomi Donne)
Best Film Music: Cruella (Nicholas Britell)
Best Film Production Design: Dune (Patrice Vermette)
Best Film Visual / Special Effects: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Janek Sirrs, Erik Winquist, Alexis Wajbrot, Olivier...)
Best Film Writing: Nope (Jordan Peele)
Best Horror Film: A Quiet Place Part II
Best Independent Film: Mass
Best International Film: RRR - Rise Roar Revolt
Best Science Fiction Film: Dune
Best Superhero Film: The Batman
Best Supporting Actor in a Film: Paul Dano (The Batman)
Best Supporting Actress in a Film: Jodie Comer (Free Guy)
Best Thriller Film: Nightmare Alley
Best Younger Actor in a Film: Millicent Simmonds (A Quiet Place Part II)

Follow over the jump for my votes in television and home entertainment.

'Better Call Saul' leads television series at the Saturn Awards with seven nominations

I told my readers to "Stay tuned for television" yesterday, so I'm following through by quoting Deadline Hollywood: "In the TV world, it was AMC’s Better Call Saul that led the list with seven mentions..." Without any further ado, here are the nominations for "Better Call Saul" and its fellow nominees on the small screen.

Action / Thriller Series: Network / Cable

• Better Call Saul (AMC)
• Big Sky (ABC)
• The Blacklist (NBC)
• Dexter: New Blood (Showtime)
• Dark Winds (AMC)
• Outlander (Starz)
• Yellowjackets (Showtime)

As Deadline Hollywood reported, "Better Call Saul" leads all television series at the Saturn Awards with seven nominations. Its closest competitors in this category are "Big Sky," "Dexter: New Blood," and "Outlander" with four nominations apiece. "The Blacklist" and "Yellowjackets" both have two nominations and "Dark Winds" has just this one. I expect "Better Call Saul" will repeat in this category, but I'm voting for "Outlander."

Since the image I used at the top left out "Big Sky," I'm sharing its promotional image from Twitter so that all four top shows have representation.


Again, I'm glad to see the studios and TV networks promote their shows for the Saturn Awards. Last time, I saw only Starz put together one for "Outlander."

Follow over the jump for the categories I covered in Part 2 of superhero nominees at the 2022 Saturn Awards — network and cable television.

'Our Flag Means Death' and Stede Bonnet for Talk Like A Pirate Day

Arr! It be Talk Like A Pirate Day! For this year's celebration, I'm sharing the comedy pirates from Our Flag Means Death | Official Trailer | HBO Max.

The unique new comedy is loosely based on the true adventures of 18th century would-be pirate, Stede Bonnet, played by Rhys Darby. After trading in his comfortable life for one of a buccaneer, Stede becomes captain of a pirate ship, but struggles to earn the respect of his potentially mutinous crew. Stede’s fortunes change after a fateful run-in with the infamous Captain Blackbeard, played by Taika Waititi.

Yes, Stede Bonnet was a real person, who Biographics examined in Stede Bonnet: The Gentleman Pirate.


Stede Bonnet sounds like Stephen Bonnet, a pirate villain in Outlander. This is not a coincidence: "While Stephen Bonnet of the Outlander series is fictional, Diana Gabaldon has said that it is possible he is illegitimately descended from the real historical figure, Stede Bonnet." I'll add the fictional Bonnet and Blackbeard to Anne Bonny as future subjects of Talk Like A Pirate Day.

I conclude with a meme.


It helps that today actually is Monday.

That's it for today's look at pirates, both real and fictionalized. I plan on having more awards show coverage tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Part 2 of superhero nominees at the 2022 Saturn Awards — network and cable television

For today's Sunday entertainment feature, I am returning with the superhero nominees for television, as I promised twice. Here are the relevant categories from Deadline's Saturn Awards Nominations: ‘The Batman’, ‘Nightmare Alley’, ‘Spider-Man’, ‘Better Call Saul’ Top List.

Science Fiction Television Series: Network / Cable

• The Flash (The CW)
• The Man Who Fell to Earth (Showtime)
• Supergirl (The CW)
• Superman & Lois (The CW)
• Resident Alien (SyFy / Universal)
• Westworld (HBO)

I wrote "Next year's television nominees will be very interesting" in 'Birds of Prey' and 'The Flash' lead comic-book and superhero movies and television nominees — DCEU and Arrowverse at the Saturn Awards last year, but I didn't anticipate the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films would eliminate Best Superhero Adaptation Television Series altogether and then assign the shows based on comic-books and superheroes to other genres. I also didn't expect them to re-split the television categories so that streaming shows (formerly "new media") had their own separate awards again. Then again, I'm not surprised by that, either. As I wrote in 'Shang-Chi' vs. 'Spider-Man' among movie nominees at the 2022 Critics Choice Super Awards about keeping Best Film Presentation on Streaming Media (they didn't), "I never know with them, and I'm one of their voters!"

That written, I found the category choices the television committee made both revealing and a return to form of sorts. When I looked through the previous winners as research for continuing Blogging the Saturn Awards 1973 -- 'Slaughterhouse Five' and 'Blacula' the first winners, I saw that "Superman" won Best Science Fiction Film in 1979, while "Batman" earned a nomination for Best Fantasy Film in 1991 (the film came out in 1989, so there's a story there).* Superheroes, like horror, span the space between science fiction and fantasy, and some show more affinity for one over the other. Both Superman and Supergirl are aliens and The Flash got his powers through an experiment gone wrong, so they definitely belong more to science fiction than fantasy.

Enough about the category changes and choices. Who would I vote for and who might win? "Superman & Lois" has the most nominations of any show in this category, six, tying it for second with "The Walking Dead," "Stranger Things," and "Severance," all of which are competing in other program categories. In this category, "The Flash" and "The Man Who Fell to Earth" have two nominations and "Resident Alien," "Supergirl," and "Westworld" all have one each. Based on that criterion, I'd say "Superman & Lois" has the inside track to win. It certainly is the best superhero show on network TV; my wife and I enjoy it very much. That doesn't mean it has my vote. I'm inclined to vote for "Westworld" again, although I should watch some of the fourth season before deciding. It might not be as good as "The Man Who Fell to Earth." Either would be the professionals' choice.

Fantasy Television Series: Network / Cable

• DC’s Stargirl (The CW)
• Doctor Who (BBC America)
• Ghosts (CBS)
• La Brea (NBC)
• Riverdale (The CW)
• Shining Vale (Starz)

I concur with the rankings of the shows based on their total nominations, as "Ghosts" earned four nominations, "Shining Vale" has three nominations, "DC’s Stargirl" has two nominations, and "Doctor Who," "La Brea," and "Riverdale" have one nomination each. "Ghosts" and "Shining Vale" are my two favorites and I credit my wife for discovering both of them and getting me to watch them with her. Between the two of them, I like "Ghosts" more and plan on voting for it. Sorry, "DC’s Stargirl" and "Riverdale," the comic-book adaptations in the field. Also, sorry "Doctor Who" and "La Brea," which are really science fiction series that didn't make the cut for that genre's category. I also don't think they'll win, so here's the Twitter image promoting the nomination for "La Brea."


I'm glad to see the production companies and networks promoting their Saturn Awards nominees.

The Television Academy snubbed "Ghosts," but Gold Derby liked the show, interviewing several of the creators and actors. I'm sharing Joe Wiseman ('Ghosts' co-showrunner): The show's large, diverse cast is 'an embarrassment of riches' as the first video.

Joe Wiseman ('Ghosts' co-showrunner): The show's large, diverse cast is 'an embarrassment of riches.' Samantha (Rose McIver) and Jay (Utkarsh Ambudkar) inherit an old mansion haunted by people who have died there over the course of history. Gold Derby senior editor Rob Licuria hosts this webchat as part of a Meet the Experts panel for showrunners.

I appreciated this as a good explanation of why the show is both fun and interesting.

Follow over the jump for the acting nominations for superhero and fantasy shows, now that "Ghosts" and "Shining Vale" have entered the chat.

Kenneth Branaugh says 'Belfast' has lessons for a divided America

I gave a capsule description of "Belfast" in Politics, government, and diversity among movie nominees at the 2022 Golden Globes, writing the film is "political, as it takes place in Northern Ireland during the 1960s, when The Troubles started to escalate," but "primarily [a] family drama..." MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell previewed the film's Oscar nominations when he interviewed its writer-director Kenneth Branagh in Branagh's 'Belfast' Has Lessons For A Fiercely Divided America.

Oscar-nominated director, actor, and screenwriter Kenneth Branagh joins MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell to discuss his brilliant new film, ‘Belfast,’ which is based on Branagh’s own experiences with the start of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. The two also discuss the parallels of the turbulent era brought to life in the film and the current deep political divide in the United States.

I found reason for both alarm and hope in Branaugh's and O'Donnell's observations. The alarm comes from Branaugh's description of the street where he grew up being transformed in a matter of hours into a barricaded and occupied area during a low-grade civil war. That situation lasted for about thirty years until the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. Yikes! The hope is that family life continued through all of it and Northern Ireland recovered to the color scenes of today that open the movie. If all that happens to the U.S. on that time scale, I may not live to see it, but my children will. That's cold comfort for me, but it is something, although I'd rather have the U.S. fall into civil disorder. That's a topic I'll have to examine again, as it's a prime example of collapse and decline.*

O'Donnell was correct in forecasting Oscar nominations for "Belfast." The movie has earned enough awards and nominations that the topic has its own Wikipedia page. The Motion Picture Academy nominated "Belfast" in seven categories: Best Picture, Best Director for Kenneth Branagh, Best Supporting Actor for Ciarán Hinds, Best Supporting Actress for Judi Dench, Best Original Screenplay for Kenneth Branagh, Best Original Song for Van Morrison for "Down to Joy," and Best Sound. I plan on writing about the film's chances for most of its nominations later, but right now I'm venturing that Branaugh, who won Best Screenplay for "Belfast" at Golden Globes, is the most likely winner for Best Original Screenplay.

I am disappointed but not surprised that Judy Dench earned the Supporting Actress nomination over Outlander actress Caitríona Balfe. I think both repelling and attractive forces contributed to that choice. I'm going to be a good environmentalist by recycling what I wrote in Fantastic and futuristic politics and government nominees at the Critics Choice Super Awards for National Science Fiction Day for what pushed the Oscar voters away from Balfe: "[T]he creatives in Hollywood won't give 'Outlander' the time of day. As I wrote in September, 'The fans love 'Outlander.' The professionals, not so much.'" That even seems to extend to the actors in roles outside the fantasy historical romance series. As for the attractive force, all I have to type is "Dame Judy Dench." Electorates matter.

"Belfast" may be the most nominated contemporary or historical film at the Oscars nominee about politics, but it's not the most nominated movie about politics in general. That distinction belongs to "Dune," which features a lot of futuristic politics and political allegory in its science fiction. I definitely plan on writing about it. Consider this a down payment on the Oscars posts I promised at the end of 'Diana the Musical' leads 2022 Razzies with nine nominations. In the meantime, stay tuned for Darwin Day.

*Yes, I'm still a doomer blogger and societal collapse is still part of the blog's description, although I'm writing about that mostly in terms of the pandemic lately.

My Saturn Award votes versus the winners for National Science Fiction Day 2022

Happy National Science Fiction Day! I foreshadowed today's topic on Boxing Day, when I told my readers "I plan on covering this year's Saturn Awards winners on National Science Fiction Day, January 2, 2022" as the first Sunday entertainment feature of the new year. Follow over the jump the comparison between my votes and the actual winners.

Coffee Party USA announces the nominees for the 2019-2020 Golden Coffee Cups for television

This past February, Coffee Party USA invited its supporters to stream the political TV series on the Golden Coffee Cups shortlist while staying safe at home. For the past four months, the members and volunteers of Coffee Party USA did just that. For the past three weeks, they voted on the nominees. Today, Coffee Party USA announces the nominees for the 2019-2020 Golden Coffee Cups for television.

After the preliminary round of voting, Saturday Night Live leads with four nominations, one for Best Political Comedy and three for Best TV President. Madam Secretary, Outlander, The Handmaid's Tale, and Watchmen all earned two nominations each. The remaining 29 shows have one nomination apiece.

Here are the nominees in seven categories showcasing the best in politics and government on the small screen during the 2019-2020 television season.

Best Drama Series about Politics and Government

Madam Secretary
Mr. Robot
Outlander
The Blacklist
The Crown
The Handmaid's Tale

Madam Secretary and The Handmaid's Tale return from last year's field of nominees. Both earned other nominations, Madam Secretary for Best TV President and The Handmaid's Tale for Best Comedy, Drama, Miniseries, or Movie for Television about Fantastic and Futuristic Politics and Government. The previous two winners, Mindhunter and Succession, did not repeat as nominees. Replacing them are Mr. Robot, Outlander, The Blacklist, and The Crown. While new to this category, Outlander earned a nomination last year for Best Comedy, Drama, Miniseries, or Movie for Television about Fantastic and Futuristic Politics and Government. The Crown returns after having been nominated in this category for the 2017-2018 season. Mr. Robot, and The Blacklist are first-time nominees at these awards.

Follow over the jump for the rest of the nominees

My 2021 Saturn Awards votes

For today's Sunday entertainment feature, I'm following through on my promise that I would post all my votes at this year's Saturn Awards. Follow over the jump.

'Outlander,' 'The Walking Dead,' and other fantasy, horror, and science fiction nominees at the Saturn Awards

I wrote "I'll continue with the television nominees in future posts, but I may not complete the series before I vote. The deadline is the 14th and I have other topics I want to write about more first. After all, this blog is a hobby, not a job" to conclude 'Knives Out' and 'Mulan' lead thriller and action film nominees at the Saturn Awards. That was ten days ago and I had a lot to write about out subjects since then. Today, I feel like returning with the rest of the nominees for television series from Deadline. While the entertainment trade publication reported "On the TV side, AMC’s Better Call Saul, Starz’s Outlander and AMC’s The Walking Dead topped the list with five noms apiece," I already covered "Better Call Saul" in 'Birds of Prey' and 'The Flash' lead comic-book and superhero movies and television nominees — DCEU and Arrowverse at the Saturn Awards, so I'm covering both "The Walking Dead" and "Outlander" today along with the two nominated "Star Trek" series, which together tied "The Walking Dead" franchise with seven nominations.

Best Science Fiction Television Series

Doctor Who (BBC America)

Lost in Space (Netflix)

Pandora (The CW)

Raised by Wolves (HBO Max)

Star Trek: Discovery (CBS All Access)

Star Trek: Picard (CBS All Access)

Westworld (HBO)

This is a clash of two returning winners, "Star Trek: Discovery" for Best New Media (Streaming) Science Fiction Series and "Westworld" for Best Science Fiction Television Series. I think "Westworld" was the more artistic production, so I voted for it, but I wouldn't be surprised if either of the Star Trek series beat it should the Saturn Awards electorate manage to rally around one or the other and not split their vote.

Best Fantasy Television Series

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix)

For All Mankind (Apple TV)

Locke & Key (Netflix)

The Magicians (SyFy)

Outlander (Starz)

The Twilight Zone (CBS All Access)

The Witcher (Netflix)

The contest here is between "Outlander" and "The Witcher." I voted for "Outlander," but I could certainly understand the award going to "The Witcher" if the rabid "Outlander" fandom doesn't show up. Somehow, I don't think that will happen, as the image from Twitter indicates. The show is putting on an awards campaign, which other nominees don't seem to be.

By the way, I'm both annoyed and relieved that "The Good Place" didn't earn a nomination. I'm annoyed because the final season won a Hugo Award — good enough for a Hugo Award but not good enough for a Saturn nomination, really? I'm relieved because then I don't have to vacillate between "The Good Place" and "Outlander."

Best Horror Television Series

Creepshow (Shudder)

Evil (CBS)

Fear the Walking Dead (AMC)

Lovecraft Country (HBO)

Servant (Apple TV)

The Walking Dead (AMC)

What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

I fully expect "The Walking Dead" to win again, but I didn't vote for it. Instead, I voted for "Lovecraft Country." It earned nominations at the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes and won the equivalent category at the Critics Choice Super Awards. Besides, I really enjoyed it.

Follow over the jump for the acting nominations on the big and small screens and the behind the camera nominations for movies.

'Birds of Prey' and 'The Flash' lead comic-book and superhero movies and television nominees — DCEU and Arrowverse at the Saturn Awards

In the previous installment of this series, I told my readers to "Stay tuned for...the next installment about the Saturn Awards, which will be about either comic book movies or action/adventure movies." I decided to cover comic book movies because I could also tackle superhero television series. It helps that the leading nominees in both fields use DC properties, which I've historically liked more than Marvel, although that's changing as my wife and I started watching "Wandavision" and "Falcon and the Winter Soldier" followed by watching or re-watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. Next year's television nominees will be very interesting, but I'm getting ahead of myself. Back to this year's nominees from the Saturn Awards website.

Best Comic-to-Motion Picture Release:
Birds of Prey (And the Fabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
Bloodshot
Joker
The New Mutants
The Old Guard

While I expect a lot of the other Saturn Awards voters will cast their ballots for "Birds of Prey (And the Fabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)," I think "Joker" was the superior movie, having won two Oscars and been nominated for nine more, including Best Picture, so I'm voting for it. I hope the plurality of the electorate does, too.

Best Superhero Adaptation Television Series:
Batwoman
The Boys
The Flash
Stargirl
Supergirl
The Umbrella Academy
Watchmen

With the combining of the new media categories into the rest of the television categories, the fields may be fewer, but the competition is stiffer. This is particularly true of the superhero nominees, where the range of quality is much closer than for the movies. In a normal year, I'd be voting for "The Boys," but this isn't a normal year, so I'm voting for "Watchmen." I don't have much confidence that the rest of the Saturn electorate will vote for the professional/critical choise. They might vote for "The Flash" with four nominations, the most of any superhero series, or "Supergirl" with three nominations, tied with "Stargirl," again. They might even vote for "Stargirl," which would be my fourth choice behind "Watchmen," "The Boys," and "The Umbrella Academy." Yikes!

Best Action/Thriller Television Series:
Better Call Saul
Castle Rock
The Outpost
Pennyworth
Riverdale
Snowpiercer
Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan

I'm including this category in today's installment because both "Pennyworth" and "Riverdale" are both comic-book adaptations. Since "Pennyworth" is about Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred before he entered the Wayne Family's service, it's superhero-adjacent. Neither will win. "Better Call Saul" has won this award two years in a row and has five total nominations, so I'm voting for it and I expect the plurality of other voters will as well for a three-peat.

Follow over the jump for the acting nominations on the big and small screens and the behind the camera nominations for movies.

Fantastic and futuristic politics and government nominees at the Critics Choice Super Awards for National Science Fiction Day

Happy National Science Fiction Day! For this year's celebration, I'm looking at the nominees for the inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards, "a special event honoring the most popular, fan-obsessed genres across both television and movies, including Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Horror, Action and Animation." In particular, I'm writing about the nominated movies and television series that have themes of fantastic and futuristic politics and government.

I begin with the summary of the top nominees from the press release.

Hulu and NEON’s “Palm Springs” leads this year’s film nominees, with a total of five including Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie, Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie for Andy Samberg, Best Actor in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie and Best Villain in a Movie for J.K. Simmons, and Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Movie for Cristin Milioti. Several films followed close behind with four nominations including “Birds of Prey” (Warner Bros.), “Freaky” (Universal), “Onward” (Disney+), “Sonic the Hedgehog” (Paramount), “The Hunt” (Universal), “The Old Guard” (Netflix), and “The Willoughbys” (Netflix).

Other than "The Hunt," these movies are not explicitly about politics and government, at least as conventially understood. That means I'm only going to examine the categories where "The Hunt" and other action movies are competing. It didn't help that 2020 was an abysmal year for movies in theaters, so many of the nominees were released on streaming services instead, and that the nominations themselves came out in November, missing December releases.

On the other hand, television has a lot more nominees that examine politics and government, whether modern, fantastic, or futuristic (and sometimes two or all three at once, like the most nominated television series, "Lovecraft Country"), and those nominees are in all categories. This is the same phenomenon that induced me to write Politics and government on television at the 2020 WGA Awards for National Screenwriters Day last year.

“Lovecraft Country” (HBO) received the most television nominations, with a total of six possible wins, including Best Horror Series, Best Actor in a Horror Series for Jonathan Majors, Best Actor in a Horror Series for Michael K. Williams, Best Actress in a Horror Series for Wunmi Mosaku, Best Actress in a Horror Series for Jurnee Smollett, and Best Villain in a Series for Abbey Lee. Amazon’s “The Boys” received five nominations including Best Superhero Series, Best Actor in a Superhero Series and Best Villain in a Series for Antony Starr, Best Actor in a Superhero Series for Karl Urban, and Best Actress in a Superhero Series for Aya Cash.

Several performers received recognition for both their film and television work. Hilary Swank was nominated for Best Actress in an Action Movie and Best Villain in a Movie for “The Hunt” (Universal), as well as Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series for “Away” (Netflix), making her the most nominated individual. Maya Rudolph was nominated for Best Voice Actress in an Animated Movie for “The Willoughbys” (Netflix) as well as Best Voice Actress in an Animated Series for “Big Mouth” (Netflix). Jurnee Smollett was nominated for Actress in a Superhero Movie for “Birds of Prey” (Warner Bros.) and Best Actress in a Horror Series for “Lovecraft Country” (HBO).

That's a good summary of the top nominees in both movie and television categories. Now to examine the individual categories with nominees that examine politics and government, both for their treatment of the subject and for my thoughts about how they will fare. I begin with the action movie nominees.

BEST ACTION MOVIE
Bad Boys For Life (Sony)
Da 5 Bloods (Netflix)
Extraction (Netflix)
Greyhound (Apple TV+)
The Hunt (Universal)
Mulan (Disney+)
The Outpost (Screen Media)
Tenet (Warner Bros.)

One of my continuing angles in writing these entries is examining the idea that electorates matter. The Critics Choice Association has educated tastes and will choose different nominees and select different winners than either the fans or the creators. I don't have an idea about how the movie creators will vote, as the Golden Globes, various guild awards for movies, BAFTA Awards, and Oscars have all been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but I do know how the fans voted for the People's Choice Awards: "Bad Boys For Life was named the movie of 2020 even though it lost a subordinate award, the action movie of 2020, to Mulan...One probably shouldn’t look to the E! People’s Choice Awards for logic or consistency." As for the other nominees, "Extraction" and "Tenet" both earned People's Choice Awards nominations for The Action Movie of 2020 while "Greyhound" earned a nomination for The Drama Movie of 2020, losing to "Hamilton." With the critics voting, I expect the winner will be "Tenet" with "De Five Bloods" as my favorite to upset it.

That's just as well, because I consider the premise of the most overtly political movie nominated, "The Hunt," to be an indulgence of a revenge fantasy and expect the film to be a well-executed — pun intended — exercise in bad taste. I'd rather see "Da Five Bloods," "Greyhound," "Mulan," or "The Outpost," all war movies, win instead. Remember, the military is a branch of government and war is a kind of international politics.

BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Tom Hanks – Greyhound (Apple TV+)
Chris Hemsworth – Extraction (Netflix)
Caleb Landry Jones – The Outpost (Screen Media)
Delroy Lindo – Da 5 Bloods (Netflix)
Will Smith – Bad Boys For Life (Sony)
John David Washington – Tenet (Warner Bros)

Both Will Smith and Chris Hemsworth won People's Choice Awards for their roles, Smith as The Male Movie Star of 2020 and Hemsworth as The Action Movie Star of 2020. I don't think either will win here. The critics will prefer someone with more craft than star power such as Delroy Lindo, Caleb Landry Jones, or especially John David Washington, who is my choice to win. Of course, if they want both, they can vote for Tom Hanks. Remember, electorates matter.

BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Betty Gilpin – The Hunt (Universal)
Yifei Liu – Mulan (Disney+)
Blake Lively – The Rhythm Section (Paramount)
Iliza Shlesinger – Spenser Confidential (Netflix)
Hilary Swank – The Hunt (Universal)

I can't use the People's Choice Awards as a foil here, as none of these women earned a nomination there. Instead, I'll pick the nominee with the best track record as an award-winning actress, Hilary Swank, who is also nominated in the next category.

BEST VILLAIN IN A MOVIE
Jim Carrey – Sonic The Hedgehog (Paramount)
Kathryn Newton – Freaky (Universal)
Martin Short and Jane Krakowski – The Willoughbys (Netflix)
J.K. Simmons – Palm Springs (Hulu and NEON)
Hilary Swank – The Hunt (Universal)

If the fans were voting, I'm sure Jim Carrey would win, but the critics are voting instead, so I think it will come down to Swank and J.K. Simmons for this award.

Follow over the jump for the television nominees.

Coffee Party USA announces the 2018-2019 Golden Coffee Cup Television Winners!

For the past three weeks, the members and volunteers of Coffee Party USA have been voting on the nominees for the 2018-2019 Golden Coffee Cups for television. Voting closed this morning and it's time to announce the winners in six categories showcasing the best in politics and government on the small screen during the 2018-2019 television season.

Succession won Best Drama Series about Politics and Government. Saturday Night Live defeated last year's winner Veep for Best Comedy Series about Politics and Government. Chernobyl earned the award for Best Miniseries or Movie for Television about Politics and Government, unseating Black Mirror. The inaugural title of Best Talk Show went to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. The Man in the High Castle displaced Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. for Best Comedy, Drama, Miniseries, or Movie for Television about Fantastic and Futuristic Politics and Government. Finally, Coffee Party USA inaugurates Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer on Veep as Best Television President for 2018-2019 Season, replacing Kiefer Sutherland as Tom Kirkman on Designated Survivor, whose term expired. Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all of our members and volunteers who voted for the best shows and performances about politics and government during the 2018-2019 television season.

With the 2018-2019 television season out of the way, the members and volunteers of Coffee Party USA will move on to the 2019-2020 television season. Watch for the posting of the shortlists for the show categories along with an invitation to stream them while staying safe at home. If you want to become one of the voters for this or future Golden Coffee Cups, such as for the best political movies of 2020, become a member. Voting will happen on a members-only Facebook group.

Coffee Party USA ia a 501c(4) nonprofit social welfare organization dedicated to empowering and connecting communities to reclaim our government for the people. To support its efforts, which include educating the public on our website and on our Facebook page, registering people to vote with our partners TurboVote and National Voter Registration Day, and reminding them to vote through our Voter Buddy program, please consider donating. A donation of $10.00 for ten years of Coffee Party USA is recommended. Ten dollars will also buy our partner stamp with Stamp Stampede to stamp money out of politics. For those who wish to give at a higher level of support and be more involved in the organization, please consider becoming a member, which will allow you to vote for future Golden Coffee Cup nominees and winners. To do the valuable work of the Coffee Party, volunteer. Not only will Coffee Party USA thank you for it, so will our democracy!

Follow over the jump for the nominees in each category.

Coffee Party USA announces the nominees for the 2018-2019 Golden Coffee Cups for television

At the end of May, Coffee Party USA invited its supporters to stream the political TV series on the Golden Coffee Cups shortlist while staying safe at home and asked them to become members so they could vote on the shortlist to determine the nominees. For the past three weeks, the members and volunteers of Coffee Party USA did that just as they did earlier this year for the Golden Coffee Cup movie nominees.

After the preliminary round of voting, Veep leads nominees with three nominations, followed by House of Cards, Madame Secretary, and The Handmaid's Tale with two each. All of the other 32 nominees have one nomination each.

Here are the nominees in six categories showcasing the best in politics and government on the small screen during the 2018-2019 television season.

Best Drama Series about Politics and Government

House of Cards
Killing Eve
Madam Secretary
Ozark
Succession
The Good Fight
The Handmaid's Tale

Four are repeats from last year, House of Cards, Madam Secretary, Ozark, and The Good Fight, while three, Killing Eve, Succession, and The Handmaid's Tale, are new, although The Handmaid's Tale was nominated last year for Best Comedy, Drama, Miniseries, or Movie for Television about Fantastic and Futuristic Politics and Government as it is again this year. Last year's winner, Mindhunter, was not eligible, so it didn't return. That means there will be a new winner in this category this year. Become a member so you can vote!

Best Comedy Series about Politics and Government

Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Drunk History
I Love You, America
Orange Is the New Black
Schitt's Creek
Saturday Night Live
Veep

Three of the nominees are repeats from last year, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Orange is the New Black, and returning winner Veep. Sketch variety shows were added to the category along with the comedy series, so Drunk History, I Love You, America, and Saturday Night Live became eligible this year. Joining the field is the Canadian comedy Schitt's Creek. Will Veep repeat for its final season? It's up to you, should you become a member.

Best Miniseries or Movie for Television about Politics and Government

A Very English Scandal
Black Mirror
Brexit
Chernobyl
Sharp Objects
When They See Us

Black Mirror is the returning winner. Do you think its episodes are still the best short movies about politics and government for television or should a new nominee take its place? Once again, it's up to you, should you become a member.

Best Talk Show

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Real Time with Bill Maher
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

This is a new category, so there is no obvious favorite. Which is yours? Join and vote!

Best Comedy, Drama, Miniseries, or Movie for Television about Fantastic and Futuristic Politics and Government

American Dad
Counterpart
Gotham
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Outlander
Star Trek: Discovery
The Handmaid's Tale
The Man in the High Castle
The Orville

Like last year, this category has the most nominees with nine. This year, it also has the most returning nominees with six, Gotham, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Outlander, Star Trek: Discovery, The Handmaid's Tale, and The Orville. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. won this category last year. Do you think it's the best speculative fiction series about politics and government or do you think one of the other nominees deserves the honor more? Join to make your opinion known!

Best Television President for 2018-2019 Season

Keith Carradine as President Conrad Dalton on "Madame Secretary"
Lynda Carter as President Olivia Marsdin on "Supergirl"
Michael Gaston as President Andrew Pickett on "Jack Ryan"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as President Selina Meyer on "Veep"
Andrea Savage as President Laura P. Montez on "Veep"
Robin Wright as President Claire Underwood on "House of Cards"

Only Julia Luis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer and Andea Savage as Laura P. Montez are returning from last year. That means that last year's winner, Kiefer Sutherland as Tom Kirkman on Designated Survivor, did not return either, so the members of Coffee Party USA will elect a new TV president, just as they will elect one in real life. Become one of us to vote!

The members and volunteers of Coffee Party USA will vote for their favorite nominees over the next two weeks, at the end of which Coffee Party USA will announce the winners on its blog and Facebook page. If you want to become one of the voters for this or future Golden Coffee Cups, become a member. Voting will happen on a members-only Facebook group.

Coffee Party USA ia a 501c(4) nonprofit social welfare organization dedicated to empowering and connecting communities to reclaim our government for the people. To support its efforts, which include educating the public on our website and on our Facebook page, registering people to vote with our partners TurboVote and National Voter Registration Day, and reminding them to vote through our Voter Buddy program, please consider donating. A donation of $10.00 for ten years of Coffee Party USA is recommended. Ten dollars will also buy our partner stamp with Stamp Stampede to stamp money out of politics. For those who wish to give at a higher level of support and be more involved in the organization, please consider becoming a member, which will allow you to vote for future Golden Coffee Cup nominees and winners. To do the valuable work of the Coffee Party, volunteer. Not only will Coffee Party USA thank you for it, so will the country!

Reposted and modified from the original at Coffee Party USA's blog.