Golden Globe Nominations announced; diversity loses again

This morning’s announcement of nominations for the Golden Globe Awards brought good news and bad news. The good news: Tina Fey and 30 Rock still rule.

The bad news: Julia Louise-Dreyfus does not.

So, who took Dreyfus’ place in the Best Actress category for TV musical or comedy? Debra Messing, for The Starter Wife. That leads me to believe that none of the Golden Globe voters has ever watched The Starter Wife. L-A-M-E.

Voters did, however, keep their wits about them when they nominated America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Mary Louise-Parker (Weeds) and Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?). Although I could never be untrue to Tina, I have to say that I’m secretly rooting for Applegate this year. What an amazing woman.

In the TV drama category, Best Actress nominees are Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters), January Jones (Mad Men), Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer), Anna Paquin (True Blood) and Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU), listed in that order so I can post this picture.

I have a bit of a quibble with January Jones being on the list, not because her performance is less than outstanding, but because I wouldn’t consider her a lead. I would’ve given that slot to Glenn Close for Damages. Then again, I’d give Glen Close anything she wants. Anytime.

Best Actress nods for TV movies and mini-series went to Judi Dench (Cranford), Catherine Keener (An American Crime), Laura Linney (John Adams), Shirley MacLaine (Coco Chanel) and Susan Sarandon (Bernard and Doris). I will leave comments on those noms to you, since I haven’t seen any the performances. Since Laura Linney won an Emmy for John Adams, is she a shoe-in?

Over in the dramatic motion picture category, the Best Actress nominations are Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married), Angelina Jolie (Changeling), Meryl Streep (Doubt), Kristin Scott Thomas (I’ve Loved You So Long) and Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road). I’m pulling for Hathaway to win, but if you haven’t seen I’ve Loved You So Long, tell your boss you have a doctor’s appointment and go see it now. Seriously.

Noticeably absent is Nicole Kidman, whose performance for Australia was expected to be among the nominations.

 

Meryl Streep got another nomination in the musical/comedy film category for Mamma Mia, as did Rebecca Hall (Vicky Cristina Barcelona), Sally Hawkins (Happy-Go-Lucky), Frances McDormand (Burn After Reading) and Emma Thompson (Last Chance Harvey). I’m kind of surprised that Hall got nominated instead of Scarlet Johansson, but Streep will probably take this one home, just for her ability to listen to Pierce Brosnan sing without cringing.

 

Sadly, America Ferrera still seems to be the only actress to consistently break through the Hollywood color barrier. Penelope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona) is among the best supporting actress film nominees and Blair Underwood (In Treatment) got a nod for best TV actor, but beyond that is a sea of white. We can’t really fault the voters, though. It goes back to the same old problem: no leading roles for people of color. Sigh.

The “best” categories for TV comedy and drama and film comedy and drama have only a few surprises. Most conspicuous is that Milk and Dark Knight aren’t nominated for best film. Television nominations again are dominated by cable, with House, The Office and 30 Rock the only network shows listed. I have only one comment about that: get cable.

What are the biggest surprises? Biggest disappointments? Who do you think will take home the gold?