Kristin's Predictions: Globes TV Biggies

Mon., Jan. 07, 2008 5:02 PM PST by Kristin Dos Santos

The glitzier elements of the show are in flux as I write this, but no one doubts that sometime, somewhere, some stars and shows will find out they are the winners of a 2007 Golden Globe. Even though we might not get to see them swoon and shout, "You like me!," there are still trophies that must be distributed.

And where there are awards, there are predictions...

My picks for the top comedies and dramas, and the leading actors and actresses in each genre, are listed below. Click in and scroll down to find out who's on deck, who deserves the win, and who will actually get the win noted in their lifetime stats.

Agree with my choices? Strongly dispute my crazy, wacked-out notions? Either way, post your thoughts in the Comments, and we can compare notes after the big game goes down.

BEST TELEVISION ACTOR, DRAMA 

The Incumbent:  Hugh Laurie, House 

The Contenders:

• Michael C. Hall, Dexter
• Jon Hamm, Mad Men
• Hugh Laurie, House
• Bill Paxton, Big Love
• Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors

Who Should Win:  Michael C. Hall, Dexter

Who Will Win:  Michael C. Hall, Dexter

Hugh Laurie is a living legend, Jonathan Rhys Meyers strutted his stuff as a hot young king, Jon Hamm gave the breakout drama performance of the season and Bill Paxton is one of television's most reliable faces. But sadly for their chances in this category, none of them is Dexter Morgan. Michael C. Hall has created one of the most intriguing and complex characters in television history. Hall's flawless, thrilling performance as a crusading sociopathic butcher with a wry sense of humor and aspirations to being a family man and upstanding citizen (not to mention the fundamentally paradoxical nature of Dexter's character) should add up to an easy win. The first season could have been a fluke, but the second season proved that—with apologies to Vic Mackey—Dexter is TV's most brilliantly rendered and compelling dramatic male lead.

BEST TELEVISION ACTRESS, DRAMA

The Incumbent:  Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

The Contenders:

• Patricia Arquette, Medium
• Glenn Close, Damages
• Minnie Driver, The Riches
• Edie Falco, The Sopranos
• Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
• Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
• Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Who Should Win:  Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters

Who Will Win:  Glenn Close, Damages

Does anybody else find that list of nominees a little intimidating? Between them, those ladies have three Oscar wins and nine more nominations! An impressive slate indeed, and with vote totals sure to be fractured by the seven nominees, it could be anybody's game. Still, there is a special place in my heart for Sally Field's Nora Walker, ever beating her tiny ineffectual fists against the cruel world. In my world, she's second to none, but I think Glenn Close is gonna take the Globe home. She's Glenn Close, after all, and her brittle and bad but not quite wicked Patty Hewes was at the center of Damages, one of this year's sharpest new series. I stand in awe of Glenn's innate talent, and I suspect the peeps who pick these things will feel the same.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES, DRAMA

The Incumbent:  Grey's Anatomy

The Contenders:

• Big Love
• Damages
• Grey's Anatomy
• House
• Mad Men
• The Tudors

What Should Win:  Mad Men

What Will Win:  House

In just its first season, Mad Men was exquisite in so many ways: the writing, acting, direction, production design and music were all top-notch. A costume drama with a recognizable sheen of modernity (unlike The Tudors, with its history-textbook plot points), the brilliant television that was Mad Men stood head and shoulders above every series on this list. Still, the top two contenders have to be Grey's Anatomy and House, simply because of their mass appeal and their internationally famous stars. Since Grey's didn't glow quite as brightly this season as it has in the past, the reliably excellent House should take home the trophy.

BEST TELEVISION ACTOR, COMEDY

The Incumbent:  Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

The Contenders:

• Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
• David Duchovny, Californication
• Steve Carell, The Office
• Ricky Gervais, Extras
• Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies

Who Should Win:  Steve Carell, The Office

Who Will Win:  David Duchovny, Californication

What?! Tony Shalhoub isn't an option? Oh, tubers, I kid! Monk is the man, but kudos to the Hollywood Foreign Press for making room for a couple newbies this year. Lee Pace is a personal favorite of mine and has played Daisies' pie maker perfectly these past few months. But perfect isn't exactly laugh-out-loud funny. For that, I'd turn to Baldwin, Carell or Gervais. Unfortunately, all three are past Golden Globe winners and, well, we know how the Foreign Press just loves to recognize what's currently cool and cutting edge. Californication certainly qualifies in that category, and Duchovny's performance as dysfunctional novelist Hank Moody was beyond convincing and definitely good for a crack-up or two.

BEST TELEVISION ACTRESS, COMEDY

The Incumbent:  America Ferrera, Ugly Betty

The Contenders:

• Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
• America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
• Tina Fey, 30 Rock
• Anna Friel, Pushing Daisies
• Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds

Who Should Win:  Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Who Will Win:  Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?

2007 was Ferrera's year, but a new day has come, and it's time to recognize the growing comedic talents of Tina Fey. Never mind that she actually pens the hilarious words that come from her character's mouth each week—focus on the fact that her delivery is impeccable. Liz Lemon, in all her neurotic, imperfect glory, easily garners the biggest laughs in this illustrious group.

However, Christina Applegate is the funnygirl getting the most buzz this season. Her turn as the titular character in Samantha Who? has been attracting 14 million-plus viewers on Mondays and was credited with single-handedly reviving the comedy genre at ABC. For all that, the Foreign Press will reward her.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES, COMEDY

The Incumbent:  Ugly Betty

The Contenders:

• 30 Rock
• Californication
• Entourage
• Pushing Daisies
• Extras

What Should Win:  30 Rock

What Will Win:  Pushing Daisies

Out with the old and in with the brand spankin'. With the exception of Entourage, every nominee in this category is a Globes newbie. Though I'm sad to see The Office out of contention, I'm all geeked up to watch well-deserved goodies like 30 Rock, Pushing Daisies and Extras get recognized. While Daisies can't really compete with Rock in sheer number of laughs, its creativity, ingenuity and critical acclaim will no doubt win over Globes voters this year, and I can certainly live with that.