Four heads are better than one, we say. That’s why Hollywood.com’s editors and writers got together to debate the pros and cons of the television contenders for the top Golden Globe awards. We’ve also got predictions for who will win–and who deserves to win–and a poll where you can pick your favorites.
Best Television Series – Drama
About the Series: Hour-by-hour saga of terrorist plots and the government’s attempts to foil them.
For It: It has a strong lead in Kiefer Sutherland, and it’s pretty unique TV.
Against It: It mostly relies on Sutherland‘s appeal for its success, and the Globes tend to honor shows that feature ensembles.
About the Series: The adventures of a cop on the edge.
For It: It’s real and gritty. Advertisers hate it. Michael Chiklis won the Emmy for his leading role last year.
Against It: It’s on FX, for cryin’ out loud.
About the Series: Family funeral fun.
For It: Great writing, great ensemble cast. Twisted concept.
Against It: It won last year, and it may split the HBO votes with its network sibling The Sopranos.
About the Series: Mob family fun.
For It: Perennial favorite that’s not afraid to evolve.
Against It: Isn’t anybody tired of Tony?
About the Series: White House antics.
For It: A great cast and a very strong following.
Against It: Oh, where do we start? It’s preachy, convoluted and the characters never shut up. Rob, come back! Your country needs you.
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Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy
About the Series: A look inside the life of Seinfeld co-creator Larry David.
For It: It’s not politically correct, and that’s very vogue. The dialogue’s all improvised, which may appeal to voters.
Against It: David‘s kind of unappealing–in a nice way, like George Costanza, the Seinfeld character who was based on David.
About the Series: Six friends, livin’ in the city, drinkin’ coffee, gettin’ pregnant.
For It: One of the best Friends‘ seasons to date, with great story arcs for Joey and Rachael and hooks that kept the audience’s interest.
Against It: It jumped the shark when the baby left the birth canal.
About the Series: Four single girls get busy in the city.
For It: It’s still a popular, fresh fantasy of life as a single gal.
Against It: At last, the bloom is off the rose. Everybody’s had enough of sex and shoes, and the move to babies is not a good one.
About the Series: Homer eats, Marge mothers, Bart farts, Lisa’s smart and Maggie’s–you got it–the baby.
For It: The longest-running sitcom since Ozzie and Harriet is back on form, finally.
Against It: They’re cartoons.
About the Series: Two gay guys, a rich middle-aged drunk and a redhead do funny stuff.
For It: Some of the funniest lines on TV are delivered by supporting actors Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally.
Against It: More baby plotlines!
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Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama
For Him: Bald guys are sexy, and this one’s talented enough to command a critically acclaimed series all by his lonesome, even though he’s a relative unknown.
Against Him: His show isn’t as well known as those of the competition, and it’s on FX.
For Him: He’s won the Emmy for dramatic acting two years running, but his last Globe win was in 2000, though he’s been nominated every year since then. The rotation may be getting back around to him this year.
Against Him: The show’s storyline focused more on Edie Falco‘s character this season; plus, next year will be Gandolfini‘s last, so voters may hold off on rewarding him until then.
For Him: He elevates the 5 o’clock shadow to an art form. Voters might also want to recognize the show with an award to Krause.
Against Him: His brain-diseased character may be killed off at any time.
For Him: Like Gandolfini, he’s been nominated four times and has only won once. Though he’s not up in the rotation, this is the part of a lifetime, and Sheen plays it well.
Against Him: The president’s been a bit too long at the pulpit this year, and nobody likes to be preached at.
For Him: The show rests mostly on his shoulders, and he shines in a very demanding role.
Against Him: He won this category last year; can he do it again? It’s not likely.
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Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy
For Him: He’s not afraid to be himself in this show about, well, absolutely nothing.
Against Him: Very few people know about his show–or him–and it’s not exactly a stretch for an actor to play himself.
For Him: He’s the funniest guy in the show, and his character finally got a chance to show his stuff this season with an interesting storyline.
Against Him: He’s not really taken seriously as an actor, undeservedly so. Even if he was, Jennifer Aniston is virtually a shoo-in for the best actress award, and it’s doubtful voters will give the top two comedy acting prizes to two people from the same show.
For Him: His honest comedy is a refreshing change from the many farcical shows out there.
Against Him: Mac is something of a new face, and this is the only nomination for the show.
For Him: Ever since he announced the Emmy nominations last year and realized–live on TV–that he hadn’t gotten one, everybody’s feeling a little guilty. This is also his fourth nomination–and he’s never won. He could be due.
Against Him: His supporting cast often outshines him; he may be the Susan Lucci of the Golden Globes–always a bridesmaid.
For Him: It’s such a pleasant surprise that he got nominated for his A&E show that voters may choose him just for the smug satisfaction they’ll feel when he wins.
Against Him: Voters may not be as familiar with the show as they are with the others in this category. Because the nomination came out of left field, his chances are pretty slim.
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See our editors’ TV predictions
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Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama
For Her: She delivered one of the most gut-wrenching, powerful performances by an actress on TV in the last episode of the season.
Against Her: Not much.
For Her: Her role as an undercover agent means she has to be versatile as an actress.
Against Her: She won last year, and though the series is still strong we haven’t seen Garner‘s character evolve much since then.
For Her: There’s a lot of buzz about her nomination in the lead category this year (she won for supporting actress last year).
Against Her: Voters may still think of her as a supporting actress. Besides, her sex-addicted character is decidedly unsympathetic.
For Her: This is the only nomination for CSI, so Helgenberger may have a shot if voters choose the honor the show by honoring her.
Against Her: She’s relatively unknown compared to the other nominees in this category. Besides, what presenter will want to get up there and wrestle with that name?
For Her: She plays one of the best-written characters on TV, and she nails it.
Against Her: What hasn’t she won lately? Does she have any room left on the mantel for another statue?
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Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy
For Her: She’s practically a shoo-in. Voters didn’t reward her performance in The Good Girl with a movie acting nomination, so she’ll probably win in this category.
Against Her: She might be a little overexposed.
For Her: It’s noteworthy that the first season of her show has already garnered this kind of attention.
Against Her: Hunt‘s gotten a lot of bad press about her relationship with the show’s staff and her co-star, which could have a negative effect.
For Her: She’s not a bitch; she just plays one on TV. But on the little screen, she is Lois–everybody’s mom, only on crank.
Against Her: A perennial nominee, Kaczmarek always seems to lose out to the cuter contenders, and she hasn’t really done anything this season to make her stand out from the crowd.
For Her: Her character’s vulnerability makes her appealing.
Against Her: Messing isn’t the strongest part of the show.
For Her: The presenter may just announce her as the winner out of habit–Parker‘s won this category three years running.
Against Her: Zzzzzz. We’re soooo, like, over it.
See our editors’ TV predictions
View movie nominee profiles and predictions
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