The truth about these award show nominations that people pretend to care about.
Let me start off by saying I love awards shows like spurned women in the 1990s liked Alanis Morissette. I try to watch them all — Tonys, Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Golden Globes, Spirits, Razzies, Scream Awards, VMAs, ESPYs, AVAs, AMAs, CMAs and SGAs. I’d like to say that I watch for those cathartic moments when actors, musicians and athletes are recognized for their hard work and transcendent accomplishments. But the truth is nothing gets me going like guessing winners while listening to three hours of poorly timed jokes. Well, that is unless there’s a game on TV (somehow there never is).
When nominations for major awards shows are released to the public I completely understand the hubbub and frustrations when deserving films, actors, and albums get snubbed — except for when it comes to the Golden Globes.
You might be thinking: “Aren’t the Golden Globes the second most prestigious film award show of the year?” Yes, unfortunately it is, however the gap between the Globes and the Oscars is more noticeable than the one between than the one between Anna Paquin’s front teeth.
Golden Globes are like the Oscars embarrassingly drunk and underachieving brother who is simply looking for a reason to get dressed up and party. It is for this reason that the Golden Globes are awesome, and it’s also why people shouldn’t get too bent out of shape if they don’t garner a nomination.
Last year, “The Tourist” was nominated for Best Comedy/Musical — it was a critically panned action movie that was not funny, or remotely good. However it’s genetically gifted stars Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie were nominated for best actor and actress respectively. The nomination was more than a head-scratcher. It was Grammy-level bullshit.
The Globes were made for good looking people to sit around, pound champagne and pretend to be offended while Ricky Gervais roasts them like a trained Hibachi chef.
Sure, the Golden Globes are supposed to be important — they are the precursor the Oscars — but when you really look and dig a centimeter below the surface, they don’t matter too much.
Last year, “The Social Network” dominated the Golden Globes, winning best picture, director, screenplay and original score. A month later at the Oscars, it was as though David Fincher’s film was a thing of the past, as “The King’s Speech” walked away as the big winner. You can’t use the Globes as a reliable predictor for eventual Academy Award winners except in run-away cases, like Christian Bale in “The Fighter” from last year. The critically beloved Coen brothers were completely shut out of the Globes last year for “True Grit,” and were the most nominated film at the Oscars.
So for fans of “The Muppets” who are furious that they weren’t nominated for Best Song, wait until the Oscars. If you’re in a tizzy over Terrence Malick’s polarizing masterpiece “Tree of Life” or Michael Shannon’s moving performance in “Take Shelter” been unjustly overlooked, take a deep breathe. Pissed that Gary Oldman got the shaft again for “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”? Well, you should be, but wait till next month to lose your shit. “Parks and Recreation” fans, take solace in the fact it’s the funniest comedy on network television, and remember there is always next year’s Emmys.
Full List of Nominees — Entertainment Weekly
