The Golden Globe Awards supposedly honor the best of the idiot box, the crème de la crème, the shows and actors we should all be watching. But I noticed something a little odd – this Idiot Box columnist only watches one of the shows honored by this year’s Golden Globes. (Note to the editors: please don’t can me. I’m getting cable installed in my room as I write this so I can catch up and be a good television writer again.)
I admit that of all the Golden Globe winners, the only one I watch devoutly is “Mad Men.” But allow me to qualify that statement with this perfectly sound explanation: I simply don’t have the time to watch every show that catches my eye (really, who does?). It’s true; if I didn’t have 500 pages of reading a week, I’d love to get started on “Dexter,” “The United States of Tara,” “The Good Wife,” and “Big Love.” However, I do have one exception, and I doubt you’re going to like it. Best Comedy/Musical Series winner “Glee” has been on my radar since many of my peers are rabid fans, but the show strikes me as a cheesy television version of “Moulin Rouge” with even worse pop songs. I just won’t allow myself to sink that low.
Although I may not have clocked as many hours of television watching as I would like, I read enough about television each day to know the critics’ opinions, the fan factor, and the politics behind these Golden Globe-winning shows. I’m just going to have to place my (lack of) personal opinion aside as I take a look at this year’s winning shows and performers:
Best Drama Series: “Mad Men”
There is just no way this would have gone differently. “Mad Men” is one of the best shows, if not the best show, on television right now. As much as I love “True Blood” and “House,” they just don’t compare. “Mad Men” is drama done right.
Best Actor in a Television Drama: Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
Perhaps Hall deserved this one, since “Dexter” is consistently lauded by critics (and is the next show on my list), but I think Jon Hamm of “Mad Men” should have won. He’s Don Draper, for God’s sake! I have seen few performances that hold a candle to Hamm’s as the iconic ad man.
Best Actress in a Television Drama: Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
I have heard nothing but good things about “The Good Wife,” and I know from previous performances that Julianna Margulies is a superb actress. This Globe seems to be well deserved, and will undoubtedly bring more attention to the freshman drama. A very close second, however, would have been Glenn Close in “Damages.” I’ve seen her in that show, and she’s damn good. That’s another series I wish I could see more of.
Best Comedy or Musical Series: “Glee”
Given the massive hype surrounding the show, it’s not much of a surprise that this newcomer took home the Globe. And I hate to say it, Gleeks, but “Glee” was very lucky to be in a fairly weak nominee pool. It would’ve been a real shock if “30 Rock” had won for a third time, or if the tired “Office,” the not-really-that-funny-so-why-was-it-nominated “Entourage,” or the relatively unknown “Modern Family” had won the Globe. “Glee” was simply the best choice in a weak and non-competitive category.
Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical Series: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Thank God he won over Steve Carell in “The Office,” who hasn’t been funny since the show’s first season. I’ve seen several episodes of “30 Rock,” and Baldwin never fails to deliver. Of course, much of the credit goes to the show’s script, but Baldwin’s performance brings the hilarity to life in a way no other actor would be able to.
Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical Series: Toni Collette, “The United States of Tara”
Unfortunately, I have yet to see even one episode of this show. But knowing that Collette is a fantastic actress and that she is actually playing several characters on the show makes me feel a lot more comfortable with her Golden Globe win. I’m not that surprised with this one, although I was somewhat expecting Tina Fey to win for “30 Rock.”
Best Supporting Actor: John Lithgow, “Dexter”
I understand that “Dexter” is a great show and is very popular, but how on earth did Michael Emerson not win for “Lost?” His performance as Benjamin Linus is the best thing on that show, period (with Hurley’s quips as a close second). I get goosebumps on my goosebumps whenever he comes on screen. Yet I also half-expected Neil Patrick Harris to take home the Globe for “How I Met Your Mother,” but I know that was just wishful thinking. Sigh.
Best Supporting Actress: Chloe Sevigny, “Big Love”
I can’t really say much about Sevigny’s win, since I have not seen a great deal of “Big Love,” but I know that a lot of Gleeks are upset that Jane Lynch did not win this one. That is all.
There you have it, folks – your alarmingly unenlightened television columnist’s take on the major Golden Globe winners. Remember these are not all the winners for television, however. Several awards were presented for television movies and mini-series as well. Since you probably couldn’t care less about mini-series or made-for-TV movies, I’ll keep my comments brief. I’m thrilled that “Grey Gardens” won the Globe for best television movie and that Drew Barrymore was chosen as the best actress for her portrayal of Little Edie. To give you an idea of how happy I was about these wins, I’ll disclose the fact that I watched the film about a half-dozen times. Not my proudest moment, but it’s a damn good movie. I’ll tell you what – I will give “Glee” a chance if you watch HBO’s “Grey Gardens.” Deal? Deal.
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