Golden Globe Musings: Best TV Series - Comedy/Musical

The following represents some preliminary thoughts on Golden Globe contenders for the given category. Predictions will be narrowed and revised towards the end of November or the beginning of December. A reminder that last year’s nominees mean zilch at the Globes and that the race is almost entirely unpredictable.

Last year’s nominees:
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
ENTOURAGE
THE OFFICE
UGLY BETTY (winner)
WEEDS

This year’s top contenders:
CALIFORNICATION
I am not sure how much of a critical hit it is, but it is certainly popular and got quickly renewed for a second season. The praise may be limited to Duchovny.

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM
The Larry David comedy won this prize a few years back but it has aired its most recent seasons at odd times so as to miss various eligibility periods. I assume it is just as funny as ever, and that should be enough to allow it to return to the list.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
Do people still like this show? I am honestly not sure. The Globes have always been a bit behind on the times with this one, giving it a win in this category two years in a row and nominating all four lead actresses right before they all got snubbed for an Emmy. I think competition will banish “Housewives” from the nominees.

ENTOURAGE
Another show that just keeps on getting better (even though the second season was the best, but it remains on par with last season). Supporting star Jeremy Piven’s back-to-back Emmy wins seem to indicate that the popularity of the show is not decreasing either.

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS
This category, much as it is rarely applicable, is for comedy and musical shows. “Flight of the Conchords” fits into both those categories and excels at both. I am going to go out on a limb and predict this one just because its inclusion would be so awesome.

THE OFFICE
I see no reason why “The Office” should be dropped from this list. NBC has shown confidence in it by starting it off with four hour-long installments. The first half of 2007 was good enough that the reality that this will be the first show to run out of episodes due to the writers’ strike should not sting too badly.

PUSHING DAISIES
It is a surefire hit, and even if audiences do not love it, critics will. The major question is whether it is in fact a comedy. It is a new show, but should be able to air enough episodes before they run out to make it a substantial series.

30 ROCK
Alec Baldwin won a Globe last year for his lead role on this show while the series went home otherwise empty-handed. That should change this year, especially since a lot of the best episodes from the first season came from its second half, which is eligible this year.

UGLY BETTY
No word on how this is doing critically. I would be thrilled if it quietly went away and no one made a fuss, but something tells me that will not happen. Certainly no one is as excited as they were last year, and it has already been rewarded with this award last year, so that factor is gone.

WEEDS
The Showtime series has been nominated thus far for its entire broadcast history. I think the third season is far better than the second and that the show should have no trouble at all making a return to the category.

Anything else? The stars might be popular with fans, but I have to hope no one thinks Back to You deserves an award. Chuck, Reaper, and Samantha Who? may all fare better with their leads than here. Scrubs and The New Adventures of Old Christine have that same history. If anyone is still watching My Name is Earl, it could make a comeback after dropping off the list last year. As far as USA offerings go, Psych does not have enough support and Monk’s time has passed, earning a nomination in this category way back in 2003.

Current predictions (there are often six nominees in this category):
ENTOURAGE
FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS
THE OFFICE
PUSHING DAISIES
30 ROCK
WEEDS (6th nominee)