The Actors Love “The Help” at tonight’s SAG Awards

Dominating the SAG Awards with a definitive 3 wins, The Help got some more Oscar juice. The wonderful film took home awards for Best Ensemble, Best Supporting Actress (Octavia Spencer) and, in a little bit of an upset, Best Actress (Viola Davis). With her win, Davis is making a serious bid for the Oscar and now has to be considered the front-runner to her dear friend Meryl Streep (who I think should have won, but that’s bygones, because Davis is extraordinary regardless)… The other big surprise was Jean Dujardin taking out George Clooney in the Best Actor race. The Oscars look like they will have some serious battles ahead… Winning Supporting Actor was Christopher Plummer for Beginners... The TV races saw some really boring repeats with Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi and Boardwalk Empire, but at least Jessica Lange was a new winner in the Drama Actress category defeating last year’s victor Juliana Marguiles. For more on the show, head to TNT and check out all the winners below.
(Oh and props to everyone for stepping it up with some great fashion tonight~ much better than the Golden Globes.)

2012 SAG AWARD WINNERS:

Movies~
Best Ensemble: The Help
Best Actor: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Best Actress: Viola Davis, The Help
Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Stunt Ensemble: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2

TV~

Drama Ensemble: Boardwalk Empire
Drama Actor: Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Drama Actress: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Comedy Ensemble: Modern Family
Comedy Actress: Betty White, Hot in Clevleand
Comedy Actor: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
TV Movie/Miniseries Actress: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
TV Movie/Miniseries Actor: Paul Giamatti, Too Big to Fail
Stunt Ensemble: Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones and Homeland lead the Writers Guild TV Noms

There has been a lot of great new drama on cable this year and those shows are about to get their just rewards. Ahead of next week’s Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations, the Writers Guild chimed in today with their nominations in the television series categories. Newbies Game of Thrones and Homeland both scored several nods while returnees Boardwalk Empire, Modern Family and Breaking Bad took home 3 apiece. Check out the contenders below and watch for the movie nominees soon.

2012 WGA TV Nominees:

Drama Series:
Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Breaking Bad (AMC)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
The Good Wife (CBS)
Homeland (Showtime)

Comedy Series:
30 Rock (NBC)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Louie (FX)
Modern Family (ABC)
Parks and Recreation (NBC)

New Series:
Episodes (Showtime)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Homeland (Showtime)
The Killing (AMC)
New Girl (Fox)

EPISODIC DRAMA

“A Dangerous Maid” (Boardwalk Empire), Written by Itamar Moses; HBO

“The Age of Reason” (Boardwalk Empire), Written by Bathsheba Doran; HBO

“Box Cutter” (Breaking Bad), Written by Vince Gilligan; AMC

“End Times” (Breaking Bad), Written by Thomas Schnauz & Moira Walley-Beckett; AMC

“The Good Soldier” (Homeland), Written by Henry Bromell; Showtime

“Just Let Go” (Dexter), Written by Jace Richdale; Showtime

EPISODIC COMEDY

“Caught in the Act” (Modern Family), Written by Steven Levitan & Jeffrey Richman; ABC

“Goodbye Michael, Part 2” (The Office), Written by Greg Daniels; NBC

“Mother’s Day” (Modern Family), Written by Dan O’Shannon & Ilana Wernick; ABC

“Object Impermanence” (Weeds), Written by Stephen Falk; Showtime

“PDA” (The Office), Written by Robert Padnick; NBC

“Queen of Jordan” (30 Rock), Written by Tracey Wigfield; NBC

LONG FORM – ORIGINAL

Cinema Verite, Written by David Seltzer; HBO

Five, “Pearl,” Written by Deirdre O’Connor, “Charlotte,” Written by Stephen Godchaux, “Cheyanne,” Written by Howard Morris, “Lili,” Written by Jill Gordon, “Mia,” Written by Wendy West; Lifetime

LONG FORM – ADAPTED

Mildred Pierce, Teleplay by Todd Haynes & Jon Raymond, Based on the novel by James M. Cain; HBO

Too Big to Fail, Written by Peter Gould, Based on the book written by Andrew Ross Sorkin; HBO

ANIMATION

“Bart Stops to Smell the Roosevelts” (The Simpsons), Written by Tim Long; Fox

“The Blue and the Gray” (The Simpsons), Written by Rob LaZebnik; Fox

“Donnie Fatso” (The Simpsons), Written by Chris Cluess; Fox

“Homer the Father” (The Simpsons), Written by Joel H. Cohen; Fox

“Moonstruck” (Ben 10: Ultimate Alien), Written by Len Uhley; Cartoon Network

“The Silence of the Clamps” (Futurama), Written by Eric Rogers; Comedy Central

COMEDY / VARIETY – (INCLUDING TALK) SERIES

Conan, Writers: Jose Arroyo, Andres du Bouchet, Deon Cole, Josh Comers, Dan Cronin, Michael Gordon, Berkley Johnson, Brian Kiley, Laurie Kilmartin, Rob Kutner, Todd Levin, Brian McCann, Conan O’Brien, Matt O’Brien, Jesse Popp, Andy Richter, Brian Stack, Mike Sweeney; TBS

Jon Benjamin Has a Van, Writers: Leo Allen, Jon Benjamin; Comedy Central

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Head Writer: AD Miles, Writers: David Angelo, Patrick Borelli, Gerard Bradford, Jeremy Bronson, Mike DiCenzo, Jimmy Fallon, John Haskell, Eric Ledgin, Dan Opsal, Amy Ozols, Gavin Purcell, Diallo Riddle, Jon Rineman, Bashir Salahuddin, Justin Shanes, Michael Shoemaker, Jen Statsky, CJ Toledano; NBC

Real Time with Bill Maher, Writers: Scott Carter, Adam Felber, Matt Gunn, Brian Jacobsmeyer, Jay Jaroch, Chris Kelly, Bill Maher, Billy Martin, Amani Redd; HBO

Saturday Night Live, Head Writer: Seth Meyers, Writers: Doug Abeles, James Anderson, Alex Baze, Heather Anne Campbell, Matt Craig, Jessica Conrad, James Downey, Tom Flanigan, Shelly Gossman, Steve Higgins, Colin Jost, Zach Kanin, Chris Kelly, Erik Kenward, Rob Klein, Jonathan Krisel, Lorne Michaels, John Mulaney, Christine Nangle, Michael Patrick O’Brien, Paula Pell, Simon Rich, Marika Sawyer, Akiva Schaffer, Sarah Schneider, Pete Schultz, John Solomon, Kent Sublette, Jorma Taccone, Bryan Tucker; NBC

The Colbert Report, Writers: Michael Brumm, Stephen Colbert, Rich Dahm, Paul Dinello, Eric Drysdale, Rob Dubbin, Glenn Eichler, Dan Guterman, Peter Gwinn, Jay Katsir, Barry Julien, Frank Lesser, Opus Moreschi, Tom Purcell, Meredith Scardino, Scott Sherman, Max Werner; Comedy Central

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Writers: Rory Albanese, Kevin Bleyer, Richard Blomquist, Steve Bodow, Tim Carvell, Wyatt Cenac, Hallie Haglund, J.R. Havlan, Elliott Kalan, Dan McCoy, Sam Means, Jo Miller, John Oliver, Zhubin Parang, Daniel Radosh, Jason Ross, Jon Stewart; Comedy Central

COMEDY / VARIETY – MUSIC, AWARDS, TRIBUTES – SPECIALS

After the Academy Awards, Head Writers: Gary Greenberg, Molly McNearney; Writers: Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, John N. Huss, Sal Iacono, Eric Immerman, Jimmy Kimmel, Jonathan Kimmel, Jacob Lentz, Danny Ricker, Richard G. Rosner; ABC

The Kennedy Center Honors, Written by Lewis Friedman, Sara Lukinson, Michael Stevens, George Stevens, Jr.; CBS

DAYTIME DRAMA

All My Children, Written by Jeff Beldner, Lorraine Broderick, Joanna Cohen, Lisa K. Connor, Chris Dunn, Lucky Gold, Kate Hall, Chip Hayes, David Kreizman, Dave Ryan, Donna Swajeski, Rebecca Taylor, Addie Walsh; ABC

General Hospital, Written by Meg Bennett, Nathan Fissell, David Goldschmid, Robert Guza, Jr., Karen Harris, Elizabeth Korte, Mary Sue Price, Michele Val Jean, Susan Wald, Tracey Thomson; ABC

The Young and the Restless, Written by Amanda L. Beall, Tom Casiello, Susan Dansby, Janice Ferri Esser, Jay Gibson, Scott Hamner, Marla Kanelos, Natalie Minardi Slater, Beth Milstein, Michael Montgomery, Anne Schoettle, Linda Schreiber, Sarah Smith, Sandra Weintraub, Chris Whitesell, Teresa Zimmerman; CBS

For more on all the nominees, head to the WGA site here.

Gwyneth, JT and Boardwalk Empire win Big at the Creative Arts Emmys

I may be out-of-town in Texas, but I did remember there was one big awards show this weekend, the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. This show which honors the massive amount of Emmy categories that wont be on the live telecast next week, and there were some good ones. So You Think You Can Dance tied itself in choreography (though Travis Wall was denied his first trophy unfortunately) while Deadliest Catch won for the first time. In the guest acting categories Justin Timberlake won again for SNL (and he won for music/lyrics again~ yes, he now has 4 Emmys!) while Gwyneth Paltrow took the award for Glee. On the drama side, it was two surprises as Loretta Devine nabbed her first Emmy for Greys Anatomy (and only the show’s second acting award after Katherine Heigl) and in a big upset Paul McCrane (Harry’s Law) defeated Michael J. Fox. Boardwalk Empire took home the most overall with 7 trophies… The one big bummer for me on the winners list was Jeff Probst (Survivor) winning Reality Host for the fourth year in a row. Yes, he’s very good, but let’s move on people~ Cat Deeley (SYTYCD) should’ve won… Anywho, head to www.emmys.tv for more info on the show and the winners.

And here’s the full Creative Arts Emmy Winner List:
Casting in a Drama Series – Boardwalk Empire
Casting For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special – Mildred Pierce
Casting For A Comedy Series – Glee

Guest Actress In A Drama Series – Loretta Devine, Grey’s Anatomy
Guest Actress In A Comedy Series – Gwyneth Paltrow, Glee

Prosthetic Makeup For A Series, Miniseries, Movie Or A Special – The Walking Dead
Makeup For A Miniseries Or A Movie (Non-Prosthetic) – The Kennedys (ReelzChannel)
Makeup For A Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic) – Boardwalk Empire
Makeup For A Multi-Camera Series Or Special (Non-Prosthetic) – Saturday Night Live
Costumes For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special -Downtown Abbey (PBS)
Costumes For A Series – The Borgias
Costumes For A Variety/Music Program Or A Special – Gettysburg (History), Portlandia (IFC)
Hairstyling For A Multi-Camera Series Or Special – Dancing With the Stars (ABC)
Hairstyling For A Miniseries Or A Movie – The Kennedys (ReelzChannel)
Hairstyling For A Single-Camera Series – Mad Men (AMC)
Guest Actress In A Comedy Series – Gwyneth Paltrow, Glee
Hairstyling For A Single-Camera Series – Mad Men (AMC)
Choreography – So You Think You Can Dance (Fox)

Music Direction – Harry Connick Jr., In Concert On Broadway (PBS)
Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) – American Masters: John Muir In The New World (PBS)
Music Composition For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special (Original Dramatic Score) – Mildred Pierce, Part Five (HBO)
Original Music And Lyrics – Saturday Night Live, with host Justin Timberlake

Art Direction For A Multi-Camera Series – Hot In Cleveland (TV Land)
Art Direction For A Miniseries Or Movie – Mildred Pierce (HBO)
Art Direction For A Single-Camera Series – Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series – Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Picture Editing For A Comedy Series (Single Or Multi-Camera) – How I Met Your Mother
Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Miniseries Or A Movie – Cinema Verite (HBO)
Picture Editing For A Special (Single Or Multi-Camera) – Lady GaGa Presents The Monster Ball Tour (HBO)
Picture Editing For Nonfiction Programming -Freedom Riders (PBS)
Picture Editing For Reality Programming – Deadliest Catch (Discovery Channel)
Animated Program -Futurama, “The Late Philip J. Fry” (Comedy Central)
Special Visual Effects For A Series – Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Special Visual Effects For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special – Gettysburg (History)
Stunt Coordination -TNT’s Southland (“Graduation Day”)
Original Main Title Theme Music – The Borgias (Showtime)
Main Title Design – Game Of Thrones (HBO)

Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) – House, “Bombshells”
Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) – Family Guy, “Road To The North Pole”
Sound Mixing For A Variety Or Music Series Or Special – American Idol, “Finale”
Sound Mixing For Nonfiction Programming – Deadliest Catch, “Redemption Day” (Discovery)
Sound Mixing For A Miniseries Or A Movie | The Kennedys, “Lancer and Lace” (Reelz)
Sound Editing For A Series – Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Sound Editing For Nonfiction Programming (Single Or Multi-Camera) – Gettysburg (History)
Sound Editing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special – The Pillars Of The Earth, “The Work Of Angels” (Starz)

Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series – Boardwalk Empire, “Home”
Cinematography For A Multi-Camera Series – Two And A Half Men, “Hookers, Hookers, Hookers”
Cinematography For Reality Programming – Deadliest Catch, “Redemption Day”
Cinematography For Nonfiction Programming – Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, “Haiti”
Cinematography For A Miniseries Or Movie – Downton Abbey, “Part 1?

Guest Actor In A Comedy Series – Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live

Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Series – American Idol, “Finale”
Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special – Don Pasquale, PBS

Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety, Music, Or Comedy Series – So You Think You Can Dance finale
Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety, Music, Or Comedy Special – Grammy Awards (CBS)

Writing For Nonfiction Programming – Freedom Riders (PBS)
Directing For Nonfiction Programming – Gasland (HBO)
Exceptional Merit In Nonfiction Filmmaking – Freedom Riders (PBS)

Nonfiction Series – American Masters (PBS)
Nonfiction Special – Gettysburg (History)

Special Class – Short-format Live-Action Entertainment Programs – The Daily Show Correspondents Explain (Comedy Central)
Special Class – Short-format Nonfiction Programs – Jay Leno’s Garage (NBC.com)
Special Class Programs – 64th Annual Tony Awards (CBS)

Creative Achievement In Interactive Media – Oscar Digital Experience • (ABC.com)
Directing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Special – Sondheim! The Birthday Concert (Great Performances) (PBS) – Lonny Price
Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Special -64th Annual Tony Awards • CBS
Variety, Music Or Comedy Special – The Kennedy Center Honors • CBS

Children’s Program – A Child’s Garden Of Poetry ( HBO)
Children’s Nonfiction, Reality or Reality-Competition Program -Nick News With Linda Ellerbee: Under The Influence: Kids Of Alcoholics (Nickelodeon)

Reality Program – Deadliest Catch (Discovery)
Reality Host – Jeff Probst, Survivor

Guest Actor In A Drama Series – Paul McCrane, Harry’s Law

Individual Achievement in Animation – Community, “Abed’s Uncontrollable Christmas” (Drew Hodges, character animator); Phineas and Ferb, “Wizard of Odd” (Brian Woods, background design, and Jill Daniels, background painter); Firebreather (Peter Chung, character design, and Sung Chang, character animator); Young Justice, “Independence Day” (Philip Bourassa, character design)

My Big Bold 2011 Emmy Nomination Predictions are Here!

It’s almost Emmy time people. The summer tv season is in full swing and the big shows are about to return from their breaks. That also means its time for this years Emmy nominations which will be announced Thursday morning by Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids, Mike & Molly) who could wind up a nominee and Fringe star Joshua Jackson. Check back here on Thursday for all the contenders that are likely to be led by The Good Wife, Mad Men, Dexter, Modern Family, 30 Rock and Glee. But this year a big number of new shows should also make a showing, most notably Boardwalk Empire. And will we see some amazing genre shows like Fringe, True Blood and newbies Game of Thrones and The Killing get some love? And what about the domination of Betty White? Will she land nods for her show (Hot in Cleveland), her TV movie (The Lost Valentine) and her guest appearance (Community)? She could indeed. So, just what do I think will get nominated? Take a look below at my new batch of big bold Emmy Award Nomination predictions.

My 2011 Big Bold Emmy Award Nomination Predictions~

Best Drama Series:
Boardwalk Empire, Dexter, Friday Night Lights, The Good Wife, Mad Men, The Killing
~spoilers: Game of Thrones, True Blood

Lead Actor Drama Series:
Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights), Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Hugh Laurie (House), Timothy Olyphant (Justified)
~spoilers: Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment), William H. Macy (Shameless), Jeremy Irons (The Borgias)

Lead Actress Drama Series:
Kathy Bates (Harry’s Law), Mirielle Enos (The Killing), Juliana Marguiles (The Good Wife), Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men), Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy), Kyra Sedgewick (The Closer)
~spoilers: Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU)

Supporting Actor Drama Series:
Josh Charles (The Good Wife), Alan Cumming (The Good Wife), Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), John Noble (Fringe), Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire), John Slattery (Mad Men)
~spoilers: Michael Pitt (Boardwalk Empire), Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age), Walter Goggins (Justified), Denis O’Hare (True Blood)

Supporting Actress Drama Series:
Christine Baranski (The Good Wife), Michelle Forbes (The Killing), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Kelly MacDonald (Boardwalk Empire), Margo Martindale (Justified), Archie Penjabi (The Good Wife)
~spoilers: Sara Ramirez (Greys Anatomy), Jennifer Carpenter (Dexter), Sandra Oh (Greys Anatomy), KaDee Strickland (Private Practice)

Guest Actor Drama Series:
Michael J. Fox (The Good Wife), Hal Holbrook (Sons of Anarchy), Jeremy Irons (Law & Order: SVU), Robert Morse (Mad Men), Bob Newhart (NCIS), Peter Weller (Dexter)
~spoilers: Johnny Lee Miller (Dexter), Bruce Dern (Big Love), James Frain (True Blood)

Guest Actress Drama Series:
Candace Bergen (House),Marcia Gay Harden (Law & Order: SVU), Debra Messing (Law & Order: SVU), Elizabeth Mitchell (Law & Order: SVU), Julia Stiles (Dexter), Alfre Woodard (True Blood)
~spoilers: Shoreh Agdashloo (House), Christine Lahti(Law & Order: SVU), Anika Noni Rose (The Good Wife), Martha Plimpton (The Good Wife)

Best Comedy Series:
30 Rock, Glee, Hot in Cleveland, Modern Family, Parks and Recreation, The Office
~spoilers: The Big Bang Theory, Nurse Jackie

Lead Actor Comedy Series:
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Steve Carrell (The Office), Joel McHale (Community), Rob Lowe (Parks and Recreation), Matthew Morrison (Glee), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
~spoilers: Louis C.K. (Louie), Matt LeBlanc (Episodes)

Lead Actress Comedy Series:
Toni Collette (United States of Tara), Courteney Cox (Cougar Town), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Laura Linney (The Big C), Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
~spoilers: Lea Michelle (Glee), Melissa McCarthy (Mike & Molly), Martha Plimpton (Raising Hope)

Supporting Actor Comedy Series:
Ty Burrell (Modern Family), Chris Colfer (Glee), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Ed O’Neil (Modern Family), Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family)
~spoilers: Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), Rainn Wilson (The Office), Oliver Platt (The Big C)

Supporting Actress Comedy Series:
Julie Bowen (Modern Family),Jane Lynch (Glee), Wendie Malick (Hot in Cleveland), Sofia Vergara (Modern Family), Betty White (Hot in Cleveland), Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live)
~spoilers: Jane Krakowski (30 Rock), Merrit Weaver (Nurse Jackie), Vanessa Williams (Desperate Housewives),

Guest Actor Comedy Series:
Jim Carrey (Saturday Night Live), Matt Damon (30 Rock), John Lithgow (How I Met Your Mother), Carl Reiner (Hot in Cleveland), John Slattery (30 Rock), Justin Timberlake (Saturday Night Live)
~spoilers: Darren Criss (Glee), Nathan Lane (Modern Family)

Guest Actress Comedy Series:
Elizabeth Banks (30 Rock), Kristen Chenowith (Glee), Tina Fey (Saturday Night Live), Cloris Leachman (Raising Hope), Gwyneth Paltrow (Glee), Elaine Stritch (30 Rock)
~spoilers: Kathy Bates (The Office), Carol Burnett (Glee), Cynthia Nixon (The Big C)

Reality Competition Show:
The Amazing Race, American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, Project Runway, Survivor, Top Chef
~spoiler: So You Think You Can Dance

Reality Host:
Tom Bergeron (Dancing With the Stars), Cat Deeley (So You Think You Can Dance), Heidi Klum (Project Runway), Padma Laksmi & Tom Colicchio (Top Chef), Jeff Probst (Survivor), Ryan Seacrest (American Idol)
~spoilers: Phil Koeghan (The Amazing Race), RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race)

TV Movie/Miniseries:
Carlos, Cinema Verite, Downtown Abbey, Mildred Pierce, Too Big Too Fail
~spoilers: The Kennedys, The Pillars of the Earth, Ths Sunset Limited

Lead Actor TV Movie/Miniseries:
Hugh Bonneville (Downtown Abbey), Laurence Fishburne (Thurgood), William Hurt (Too Big Too Fail), Barry Pepper (The Kennedys), Patrick Stewart (MacBeth), Edgar Ramirez (Carlos)
~spoilers: Idris Elba (Luther), Samuel L. Jackson (The Sunset Limited), Tommy Lee Jones (The Sunset Limited),

Lead Actress TV Movie/Miniseries:
Haley Atwell (The Pilars of the Earth), Taraji P. Henson (Taken From Me: the Tiffany Rubin Story), Diane Lane (Cinema Verite), Elizabeth McGovern (Downtown Abbey), Kate Winslet (Mildred Pierce)
~spoilers: Katie Holmes (The Kennedys)

Supporting Actor TV Movie/Miniseries:
Bryan O’Byrne (Mildred Pierce), Guy Pearce (Mildred Pierce), Tim Robbins (Cinema Verite), Tom Wilkinson (The Kennedys), James Woods (Too Big Too Fail)
~spoilers: James Gandolfini (Cinema Verite), Thomas Dekker (Cinema Verite), Paul Giamatti (Too Big Too Fail),

Supporting Actress TV Movie/Miniseries:
Diane Hardcastle (The Kennedys), Melissa Leo (Mildred Pierce), Maggie Smith (Downtown Abbey), Evan Rachel Wood (Mildred Pierce), Betty White (The Lost Valentine)
~spoilers: Cynthia Nixon (Too Big Too Fail), Eileen Atkins (Upstairs Downstairs), Ruth Wilson (Luther)

Parks & Recreation, Game of Thrones and Justified win over the Television Critics Nominations

It seemed like just last week that I was telling you about the great TV programs and actors that critics were cheering this season. Oh wait, it was as I told you about the first annual Critic’s Choice TV Award nominees… And now a week later, the other critics group, the Television Critics Association weighs in with its nominees for its annual kudos-fest. Leading the way was HBO’s fantastic fantasy show Game of Thrones with 4 nominations including program of the year followed by three noms apiece for the awesomely hilarious Parks and Recreation and the underrated drama Justified. Five great actors from those shows were also singled out: Peter Dinklage, Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman, Margo Martindale,and Timothy Olyphant. Other new programs getting shout outs included Boardwalk Empire and The Killing. Take a look at all the nominees and what a worthy bunch they are. (Ok, except for one~ the nomination for The Voice for Outstanding Reality Programming is clearly a joke since that show is a disastrous, albeit entertaining mess). And for more on the TCA’s, head to their website here.

2011 Television Critics Association Award Nominees:

Program of the Year
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Friday Night Lights” (DirecTV/NBC)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Justified” (FX)
“Parks and Recreation” (NBC)

Outstanding New Program
“Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Terriers” (FX)
“The Killing” (AMC)
“Walking Dead” (AMC)

Outstanding Achievement in Drama
“Friday Night Lights” (DirecTV/NBC)
“Game of Thrones” (HBO)
“Justified” (FX)
“Mad Men” (AMC)
“The Good Wife” (CBS)

Outstanding Achievement in Comedy
“Community” (NBC)
“Louie” (FX)
“Modern Family” (ABC)
“Parks and Recreation” (NBC)
“Raising Hope” (FOX)

Individual Achievement in Drama
Steve Buscemi (“Boardwalk Empire,” HBO)
Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones,” HBO)
Jon Hamm (“Mad Men,” AMC)
Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife,” CBS)
Margo Martindale (“Justified”, FX)
Timothy Olyphant (“Justified,” FX)

Individual Achievement in Comedy
Ty Burrell (“Modern Family,” ABC)
Louis C.K. (“Louis,” FX)
Nick Offerman (“Parks and Recreation,” NBC)
Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation,” NBC)
Danny Pudi (“Community,” NBC)
Jon Stewart (“The Daily Show,” Comedy Central)

Outstanding Achievement in News and Information

“If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise” (HBO)
“Restrepo” (National Geographic Channel)
“60 Minutes” (CBS)
“The Rachel Maddow Show” (MSNBC)
“30 for 30” (ESPN)

Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming

“Amazing Race” (CBS)
“Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” (Travel Channel)
“Survivor” (CBS)
“The Voice” (NBC)
“Top Chef: All Stars” (Bravo)

Outstanding Achievement in Youth Programming

“A Children’s Garden of Poetry” (HBO)
“iCarly” (Nickelodeon)
“Nick News with Linda Ellerbee” (Nickelodeon)
“R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour” (The Hub)
“Sesame Street” (PBS)
“Yo Gabba Gabba” (Nick Jr.)

Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials

“Cineme Verite” (HBO)
“Downton Abbey: Masterpiece” (PBS)
“Mildred Pierce” (HBO)
“Sherlock: Masterpiece” (PBS)
“Too Big to Fail” (HBO)

Career Achievement Award

Steven Bochco
Dick Ebersol
Cloris Leachman
David Letterman
William Shatner
Oprah Winfrey

Heritage Award

“All in the Family”
“Freaks and Geeks”
“The Dick Van Dyke Show”
“Twin Peaks”

SAG crowns a King and Betty White!

Last year she stole the show when she won the Lifetime Achievement Award. This year she stole the show again as she won Best Actress in a Comedy Series. All hail Betty White, the hottest 89-year-old around as the SAG Awards honored her for her first individual performance win and she kindly responded with the best and funniest speech of the night~ even fondling her statue. How much do we love Betty!? … Now, the show wasn’t all about Betty, the Screen Actors Guild also honored the movies with all the front-runners taking home awards including Colin Firth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale and Melissa Leo. It seems all but assured that they will likely repeat at the Oscars next month. Things could still change, but they’re all safe bets now. Another good bet is that The King’s Speech will deservedly take home Best Picture as it added the Best Ensemble win to its mantle at tonight’s show…. Other television wins went to the casts of Modern Family and Boardwalk Empire plus Steve Buscemi and Juliana Marugiles in the drama categories and Alec Baldwin grabbed his 5th consecutive win for Comedy Actor. Take a look at the full list of winners below (and no, all of the people I voted for didn’t win… wanna know who I was pulling for? Shoot me an email. In the meantime, head to the SAG website for more info.)

MOVIES

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
The King’s Speech

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Colin Firth, The King’s Speech

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale, The Fighter

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Melissa Leo, The Fighter

TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Modern Family

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Betty White, Hot in Cleveland

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Al Pacino, You Don’t Know Jack

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Claire Danes, Temple Grandin

Screen Actors Guild Awards 47th Annual Life Achievement Award
Ernest Borgnine

Stunt Ensemble (Film): Inception
Stunt Ensemble (TV): True Blood

The King’s Speech upstages the Social Network at the DGA Awards!

Uh oh, The Social Network just took a nother hit in the chin, but not by The Fighter, instead it was clobbered by a King. For the second week in a row, The King’s Speech took out former Oscar front-runner The Social Network winning the Best Director honors at tonight’s DGA Awards following last week’s surprise win at the Producer’s Guild Awards. Speech director Tom Hooper was clearly surprised as Social‘s David Fincher has pretty much won every critics’ group directors prize and the Golden Globe. Does this mean we have a hot race for Best Director and Best Picture at the Oscars. I sure think so. We’ll see if Speech continues its roll tomorrow at the SAG Awards where I’m expecting it to two more trophies to its tally… Take a look at all of the film and television winners from tonight’s Director’s Guild Awards below.

DGA Award Winners~

Director Feature Film: Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech)
Director Documentary: Charles Ferguson (Inside Job)
Director TV Movie/Miniseries: Mick Jackson (Temple Grandin)
Director Drama Series: Martin Scorcesse (Boardwalk Empire)
Director Comedy Series: Michael Spiller (Modern Family)
Director Music/Variety: Glenn Weiss (2010 Tony Awards)
Director Reality Series: Eytan Keller (The Next Iron Chef)
Director Daytime Drama: Larry Carpenter (One Life to Live)

My Big Bold Golden Globe WINNER Predictions 2011!

So, the big show is on Sunday the 16th and all the stars will be there… But the question is just who will win the coveted Golden Globe… Well, if you’re looking for a little insight, look no further than my big bold Golden Globe Winner Predictions. I’ve got them here for you below! … Now remember, the Globes often like to throw a curveball and give their trophies to stars over more deserving winners and that might happen this year in a couple of categories. They also like to award more of their European brethern than other organizations. They are the Hollywood Foreign Press Association after all, but I think they’ll stay mostly on track with these very competitive races. In fact, the awards race this year is still pretty wide open, so the Globes (and Friday’s Critic’s Choice Awards will likely shed a little light on who may be the big winner come Oscar time). So, take a look at my brilliant predictions below and watch the show hosted by the hilarious Ricky Gervais this Sunday 1/16 at 8pm on NBC.

My Big Bold Golden Globe WINNER predictions…

~MOVIES~

Best Picture Drama:
Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The King’s Speech, The Social Network
Will & Should win: The King’s Speech
~spoiler: The Social Network

Best Picture Musical or Comedy:
Alice in Wonderland, Burlesque, The Kids are Alright, Red, The Tourist
Will & Should win: The Kids are Alright

Best Director:
Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), David Fincher (The Social Network), Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech), Christopher Nolan (Inception), David O. Russell (The Fighter)
Will & Should win: David Fincher
~spoiler: Tom Hooper

Best Actor (Drama)
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), Colin Firth (The King’s Speech), James Franco (127 Hours), Ryan Gosling (Blue Valentine), Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter)
Will & Should win: Colin Firth
~spoiler: James Franco

Best Actress (Drama)
Halle Berry (Frankie & Alice), Jennifer Lawrence (Winter’s Bone), Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole), Natalie Portman (Black Swan), Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine)
Will win: Natalie Portman
Should win: Michelle Williams
~spoiler: Nicole Kidman

Best Actor (Musical/Comedy):
Johnny Depp (Alice in Wonderland), Johnny Depp (The Tourist), Paul Giamatti (Barney’s Version), Jake Gyllenhaal (Love & Other Drugs), Kevin Spacey (Casino Jack)
Will win: Johnny Depp (Alice)
Should win: Kevin Spacey
~spoiler: Jake Gyllenhaal (they love to award “stars” over a better performance at times which is also why Depp will likely prevail here)

Best Actress (Musical/Comedy)
Annette Bening (The Kids are Alright), Anne Hathaway (Love & Other Drugs), Angelina Jolie (The Tourist), Julianne Moore (The Kids are Alright), Emma Stone (Easy A)
Will & Should win: Annette Bening

Best Supporting Actor:
Christian Bale (The Fighter), Michael Douglas (Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps), Andrew Garfield (The Social Network), Jeremy Renner (The Town), Geoffrey Rush (The King’s Speech)
Will & Should win: Christian Bale
~spoiler: Geoffrey Rush

Best Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams (The Fighter), Helena Bonham Carter (The King’s Speech), Mila Kunis (Black Swan), Melissa Leo (The Fighter), Jacki Weaver (Animal Kingdom)
Will win: Amy Adams (which I’d love)
Should win: Melissa Leo (which I’d love)
~spoiler Mila Kunis (they like to award “ingénues” here, ala Natalie Portman in “Closer”)

Best Screenplay:
127 Hours, The Kids are Alright, The King’s Speech, Inception, The Social Network
Will & Should win: The Social Network

Best Score:
127 Hours, Alice in Wonderland, The King’s Speech, Inception, The Social Network
Will & Should win: Inception
~spoiler: The King’s Speech

Best Song:
“Bound to You” (Burlesque) written by Christina Augilera & Sia, “I See the Light” (Tangled) written by Alan Meken & Glenn Slater, “Coming Home” (Country Strong) written by Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas, Hillary Lindsey & Troy Verges, “There’s a Place for Us” (Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Trader) written by Carrie Underwood, David Hodges & Hillary Lindsey), “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” (Burlesque) written by Diane Warren
Will & Should win: “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” (Burlesque)
~spoiler: “I See the Light” (Tangled)

Best Animated Film:
Despicable Me, How to Train Your Dragon, The Illusionist, Tangled, Toy Story 3
Will & Should win: Toy Story 3

~TV~

DRAMA Series
Boardwalk Empire, Dexter, The Good Wife, Mad Men, The Walking Dead
Will win: Boardwalk Empire
Should win: Dexter
~spoiler: Mad Men

COMEDY Series:
30 Rock, The Big Bang Theory, The Big C, Glee, Modern Family, Nurse Jackie
Will & Should win: Modern Family
~spoiler: Glee

Lead Actor Drama
Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), Michael C. Hall (Dexter), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Hugh Laurie (House)
Will win: Steve Buscemi
Should win: Bryan Cranston
~spoiler: Michael C. Hall (and he’d be a great winner here too)

Lead Actress Drama:
Juliana Marguiles (The Good Wife), Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men), Piper Perabo (Covert Affairs), Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy), Kyra Sedgewick (The Closer)
Will win: Juliana Marguiles
Should win: Kyra Sedgewick
~spoiler: Elizabeth Moss

Lead Actor Comedy:
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Steve Carrell (The Office), Thomas Jayne (Hung), Matthew Morrison (Glee), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
Will & Should win: Jim Parsons
~spoiler: Alec Baldwin

Lead Actress Comedy:
Toni Collette (United States of Tara), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Tina Fey (30 Rock), Laura Linney (The Big C), Lea Michelle (Glee)
Will & Should win: Laura Linney
~spoiler: Edie Falco

TV Movie/Miniseries:
Carlos, The Pacific, Pillars of the Earth Temple Grandin, You Don’t Know Jack
Will win: The Pacific
Should win: Temple Grandin
~spoiler: Carlos

Lead Actor TV Movie/Miniseries:
Idris Elba (Luthor), Ian McShane (Pillars of the Earth), Al Pacinon (You Don’t Know Jack), Dennis Quaid (The Special Relationship), Edgar Ramirez (Carlos)
Will win: Al Pacino
Should win: Edgar Ramirez
~spoiler: Edgar Ramirez

Lead Actress TV Movie/Miniseries:
Haley Atwell (Pillars of the Earth), Clare Danes (Temple Grandin), Judi Dench (Return to Cranford), Romola Garai (Emma), Jennifer Love Hewitt (The Client List)
Will & Should win: Clare Danes

Supporting Actor Drama Series/Comedy Series/TV Movie/Miniseris:
Scott Caan (Hawaii Five-O), Chris Colfer (Glee), Chris Noth (The Good Wife), Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family), David Strathairn (Temple Grandin)
Will & Should win: Chris Colfer
~spoiler: Eric Stonestreet

Supporting Actress Drama Series/Comedy Series/TV Movie/Miniseries:
Hope Davis (The Special Relationship), Jane Lynch (Glee), Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire), Julia Stiles (Dexter), Sofia Vergara (Modern Family)
Will & Should win: Jane Lynch
~spoiler: Sofia Vergara

More Fall TV Reviews~ “Boardwalk Empire” & “Outlaw”

The Fall TV season is in full swing and I’ve got two more reviews for you. This time it’s one highly anticipated drama from HBO, Boardwalk Empire, and the other a drama featuring the return of Emmy winner Jimmy Smits on NBC, Outlaw.

Boardwalk Empire (HBO, Sundays at 9pm)~ This new drama focusing on Atlantic city in the early days of Prohibition is gorgeously shot with incredible attention paid to the lush production design. Everything about it is top-notch regarding the cinematography, costumes, set and historically accurate music. It also features a strong ensemble cast and is an admirably ambitious production that will likely snare a few fans who enjoy Mad Men or loved The Sopranos. However, for this viewer, it left me a bit bored and cold. Despite the wonderful technical aspects and lovely direction by Oscar winner Martin Scorcesse, the story and the characters just didn’t win me over. Steve Buscemi is fine as Enoch Thompson Atlantic City’s Treasurer and a bootlegging criminal who runs and underground business along with his police chief brother, a bunch of assassins and go to men like his impulsive ambitious right hand man ably played by Michael Pitt. They face off against a bible thumping fed played by Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (Revolutionary Road) and other gangsters from New York and Chicago. There’s also a potential in the single mom who Buscemi’s character takes interest in played beautifully by Kelly Macdonald. Ultimately, though, I just didn’t find anyone to root for and found myself admiring it more than enjoying it. Grade: B

Outlaw (NBC, Fridays at 10pm): I’m not sure Jimmy Smits should’ve chosen this vehicle to return to series TV after his wonderful work on The West Wing and Dexter because Outlaw is just crap. Really, it’s so contrived, convoluted, pandering, obvious and poorly executed that I’m wondering what attracted Smits to it. I suppose the part of a roguish arrogant Supreme Court justice who thrills in his vices yet has a crisis of conscience and decides to resign to fight the good fight as an everyday lawyer seemed intoxicated. Unfortunately, he just comes off as irritating and self-serving. His team of lawyers are all cookie cutter boring characters and the case in the pilot was un-engaging and predictable. This is one outlaw I wish stayed back out west. Grade: D