The 2008 Golden Globe Awards – TV (Comedy) and Film Predictions

At 9pm EST this evening, viewers across America will tune into NBC (Or E!, or TV Guide Channel) and enjoy the coverage of the 2008 Golden Globe Awards News Conference. Yesterday I covered the TV Drama side of things, and this afternoon I’ve got the Comedy and Film awards. I’ll be posting live from the press conference (aka Live from the TV Lounge where I’ll be watching the press conference) this evening, along with my thoughts on The Amazing Race. I’ll probably post tomorrow night about Sarah Connor Chronicles, which debuts post-Football tonight on FOX – you can read my thoughts on the pilot from August here, and I’ll have my thoughts on tomorrow’s second episode in its regular slot (Mondays at 9) sometime over the next couple of days.

Comedy Series

• Californication
• Entourage
• Extras
• 30 Rock [Myles Choice / Predicted Winner]
• Pushing Daisies

There are some occasions where the Golden Globes’ focus on newness cannot possibly overcome the power of a sophomore series just getting its due. Considering that 30 Rock was left out last year in favor of Ugly Betty, now is the time for the Globes to honour its growing success and hilarity. Out of the two new series in the category, I’d say Pushing Daisies would have the advantage, and obviously it would also be a deserving winner. Still, I think that Tina Fey and Co. have this one, although this is in no way a definitive prediction.

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

• Alec Baldwin, [30 Rock] [Myles’ Choice / Predicted Winner]
• Steve Carell, [The Office]
• David Duchovny, [Californication]
• Ricky Gervais, [Extras]
• Lee Pace, [Pushing Daisies]

He’s certainly the best actor in the category, even amongst a fairly decent crowd, but history is against Alec Baldwin picking up this trophy again – the Globes don’t tend to like repeat winners. In terms of other options, Duchovony has a certain mystique about him and Pace is starring in the “it” show of the moment. However, let’s not leave out Carell, who still does great work on The Office, and Gervais DID win the Emmy. I think it’s the gluttony of other options which convinces me that we can forget tradition – Baldwin is too great on 30 Rock, and too big a star, to lose this award.

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

• Christina Applegate, [Samantha Who?] [Predicted Winner]
• America Ferrera, [Ugly Betty]
• Tina Fey, [30 Rock]
• Anna Friel, [Pushing Daisies]
• Mary-Louise Parker, [Weeds] [Myles’ Choice]

This is a tough category to call because you’ve got two past winners, a writer/creator moonlighting as the star of her own sitcom, and a television staple returning in a showy and effective role. I’m leaving Friel out of the running, only because her role really isn’t that “Lead Actress-like,” but everyone else has a decent chance. If the HFPA feels bad about snubbing 30 Rock last year, Fey has a shot at this thing. However, I’m going to say that it’s Applegate’s amnesia performance which wins the day, although my heart is with the ever-fantastic Mary-Louise Parker (Sorry, Tina!).

Film Predictions

These are unlikely to be all that close (I haven’t been following as closely as I’d like, and the awards could go in so many different directions considering the ludicrous amount of candidates), but here’s my shot at the film predictions as well.

Best Picture – Drama – No Country for Old Men

Best Picture – Comedy – Hairspray

Best Actor – Drama – Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood)

Best Actress – Drama – Julie Christie (Away from Her)

Best Actor – Comedy – Johnny Depp (Sweeney Todd)

Best Actress – Comedy – Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose)

Supporting Actor – Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men)

Supporting Actress – Cate Blanchett (I’m Not There)

Best Director – The Coens (No Country for Old Men)

Best Screenplay – Diablo Cody (Juno)

Best Original Song – Guarantee (Into the Wild – Eddie Vedder)

Best Original Score – Howard Show (Eastern Promises)

Best Animated Film – Ratatouille

Foreign Language Film – The Diving Bell and the Butterfly