News Bites

All sports fans wait with great patience and perseverance for the final game (or games, as the case may be) of their season. Soccer fans watch World Cup games. Hockey fans root for their team in the NHL playoffs. And I’d be willing to bet that there are few people who don’t watch the final game of the NFL season – even if it’s just for the fun Super Bowl commercials.

I’m a diehard baseball fan, so it’s the World Series that keeps me glued to the tube in October.

But, there is another season that’s just starting to round the bases.

The beginning of the new year means that awards season has started! Is everyone else excited?!

To me, the endless parade of awards shows we’ll be watching from now through February works just like the end of any given sports season. Think of the Golden Globes (Jan. 15) and the Screen Actors Guild Awards (Jan. 29) as playoff games. Those winners will (more than likely) go on to “compete” at the Academy Awards (Feb. 26) – the Super Bowl for actors and fashionistas alike. Or, throw in the Orange British Academy Film (BAFTA) Awards (Feb. 12) and all the other various awards shows this time of year, and think of it as a “best-of so many games” competition like the World Series.

Either way, actors and filmmakers truly do “train” all year to be named the best among their competitors. And – truthfully – awards season might be even more difficult than an athletic season when you factor in the fashion competition.

The Golden Globes are on deck first, so let’s take a look at the line-up …

In the drama acting category, I’d like to see Brad Pitt win for Moneyball. And Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady seems to be a no-brainer in the female category.

In the comedy acting category, I think Michelle Williams will win for her outstanding performance in

 

My Week with Marilyn, but watch out for Charlize Theron in the dark comedy Young Adult. Joseph Gordon-Levitt has a lot of good buzz for 50/50 that I think will lead to a win.

My two favorites in the supporting actor category are Octavia Spencer for The Help and Kenneth Branagh in My Week with Marilyn. Both performances were highlights in their respective films.

As far as the TV categories go, let me first say that I’m mourning the fact that there was no Mad Men this year. But with that said, I expect Boardwalk Empire, Downton Abbey and the typical comedies to do well.

Now it’s your turn. What are your predictions for awards season? Share them below!