Golden Globe Nominations for TV as Puzzling as SAG Nominations

COMMENTARY | The 2011 Golden Globe nominations will get most of their attention for the movie categories. But the TV categories are bound to spark some debate as well -- if not outright backlash. For the second consecutive day, a major awards event made some questionable choices in picking TV's best, although the Golden Globe nominations were only just as insane as some of the SAG Awards choices.

SAG raised eyebrows on Dec. 14 by snubbing the likes of Claire Danes, Damien Lewis, Jim Parsons, Amy Poehler and letting the likes of "Suits"' Patrick J. Adams in instead. The Golden Globes had a chance to restore some order to the awards circuit, but dropped the ball when it came to television.

The Globes did let Danes, Lewis and Poehler in, but snubbed both Parsons and Steve Carell in the Best Actor Comedy category, nominated both "American Horror Story" and "Boss" for Best Drama instead of "Breaking Bad," left out "Parks and Recreation" for Best Comedy while "Glee" kept a slot, had no final "Friday Night Lights" nods and kept out the likes of Aaron Paul and Giancarlo Esposito in the overly crowded Supporting Actor category.

This is an awards show that doesn't usually make solid choices, although its most glaring nods, snubs and inclusions are in the movie categories. But the Globes were largely on their best behavior with the movies, as there were less puzzling nods than usual - or at least less puzzling than nominating Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie for "The Tourist" last year.

The SAG and Golden Globe nominations fortunately have the movies to balance out their odd choices in television. Given the embarrassment of riches on TV these days, it really shouldn't be that hard to choose the best shows and actors. There will always be embarrassing snubs and undeserving nominees, of course, but the worst examples usually happen at the Emmys.

At the least, critics and fans go into the Emmys expecting to be mad and puzzled at their nominees. Having two straight award shows get their choices wrong on consecutive mornings is pushing it, however. Yet although the competition in these categories is not as strong as it should be, the hope is that the weaker field will make it easier to choose the best winners to make up for it.

The Golden Globes have exactly a month to make up for their nominations when the winners are unveiled on Jan. 15 in between Ricky Gervais groaners. As for SAG, they will honor their own on Jan. 29 to kick off the post-Oscar nominations part of awards season.

Sources

HFPA- "The 69'th Annual Golden Globe Awards Nominations"

Hitfix- "Analysis: SAG Awards TV nominations get weird with Patrick J. Adams and Dexter"