Sundance Institute
Anna Faris and Anthony Mackie announced the nominees for the 2016 SAG Awards Wednesday morning, and while we congratulate everyone who managed to receive acknowledgement, we have to admit—as per usual—that there were some snubs and surprises.
It wouldn't be an awards show without them, so let's discuss who surprised us with their inclusion (in the best way, obviously) and who deserved some love but missed. Although this has nothing to do with the nominations, we have to call out Mackie for his surprising and hilarious flubbing of a couple of nominees' names. Kudos to him for hilariously playing it off, though.
But back to business. Let's start with the surprises:
Sarah Silverman scored a nomination in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture category for her work in I Smile Back. The comedienne took on a completely different role in this movie, swapping her sense of humor for a character that struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. Her atypical role definitely worked in her favor for this awards show.
Tom Hanks' Bridge of Spies was the classic idea of a solid movie. With Hanks at the lead giving audiences his best suave self, Bridge of Spies was enjoyable. But was it awards worthy? But Mark Rylance playing the role of the Russian spy changed all of our minds. We went into that movie thinking it would be a solid film, but we didn't expect to be blown away by Rylance's performance. His inclusion in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture category was a very pleasant and welcomed surprise.
Considering Straight Outta Compton was released in August, we were concerned it would be looked over given it's early release. Thankfully SAG remembered one of our favorite ensemble casts and gave them their due with a nomination in the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture in a Motion Picture category.
Nicole Kidman has proven herself a worthy actress time and time again, but Grace of Monaco was universally panned so much that it ultimately released on Lifetime. Did anyone really expect a SAG Awards nomination for her in this role? Definitely not, but she got one!
Tough break, Jennifer Lawrence. David O'Russell's newest film, Joy, featuring the starlet was snubbed on all fronts. Given it's star power, we expected it to earn at least an ensemble cast nomination, but no, nothing. Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro and more didn't make the cut in any category.
Creed was a hit movie that no one saw coming. Start to finish both Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone gave great performances that made you feel like you were actually watching a real boxing match. Plus, did you see the muscle Jordan had to put on for this role?! Unfortuantely SAG must have missed it because Creed didn't get a single nomination.
What about Matt Damon in The Martian? He gave a stellar performance (pun intended) as a man trying to survive on Mars, yet his raw strength wasn't enough for SAG Awards voters. Sigh.
TV also presented us with some serious snubs and surprises.
Ellie Kemper: The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star is the heart of the Netflix series—and such a big heart!—so we're thrilled to see her colleagues recognize her for the stellar work she did.
Rami Malek: Mr. Robot was the surprise hit of the year and that's all thanks to Rami Malek's wonderful performance.
Surprise this was still nominated—Downton Abbey: The British hit is coming to an end this year, but, like, come on. There are better dramas out there. No offense to Dame Maggie Smith.
Modern Family: Same feelings as Downton Abbey. We get it.
While the surprises, both positive and negative, continue to leave us shocked, we can't get over these major snubs on the TV front.
Taraji P. Henson, Empire: This show was totally shut out. Not even Taraji P. Henson. Have SAG voters not seen her as Cookie Lyon because…
Maura Tierney, The Affair: Maura Tierney is making you laugh and cry all at once on The Affair. Don't forget about her, SAG Awards voters!
Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Yay Ellie Kemper, but what about Tituss Burgess? How could you forget Tituss Burgess and his character, Titus Andromedon? Did all the SAG voters drink too much pinot noir and black out? The show's cast wasn't nominated either which is crazy because of two additional reasons: Jane Krakowski and Carol Kane.
Parks and Recreation: The final year and the cast had never been better. Happy for Amy Poehler, but when will the likes of Nick Offerman and Adam Scott get their due?
Amy Schumer: Probably the most shocking snub: Everybody's favorite didn't get nominated for comedy performance. Fellow Comedy Central sketch show Key and Peele picked up an ensemble nomination, but no Inside Amy Schumer.
Getting On: HBO's quiet comedy has one of the best cast's on TV (Niecy Nash, Laurie Metcalf, Mel Rodriguez and Alex Borstein in addition to a rotating cast of supporting players) and yet nobody seems to pay attention to it.
How to Get Away With Murder: Yes, Viola Davis got a well-deserved nomination, but the rest of the cast of HTGAWM was left out in the cold. Don't forget about Matt McGorry, SAG Awards voters. Don't you forget about him.