Thursday, December 27, 2018

Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Actor in a TV Series – Comedy/Musical


The competition:
Sacha Baron Cohen (Who Is America?) plays many characters in the first season of the political series. Cohen’s surprise bid comes twelve years after he won a Golden Globe for portraying a character cultivated on his previous variety series in the film “Borat.”

Jim Carrey (Kidding) plays Jeff Piccirillo, better known as TV star Mr. Pickles, in the first season of the dark comedy on Showtime. His show is also nominated for Best TV Series – Comedy/Musical. Though this is Carrey’s first television nomination, he has six previous film nominations. He won in 1998 for “The Truman Show” and in 1999 for “Man in the Moon.”

Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method) plays aging acting teacher Sandy Kominsky in the first season of the Netflix comedy. His costar Alan Arkin is also nominated, and the show contends for Best TV Series – Comedy/Musical. Douglas is nominated both individually and as part of his ensemble cast at the SAG Awards. Douglas won a TV Globe in 2013 for “Behind the Candelabra,” a film Globe in 1987 for “Wall Street,” and the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2003. He has six other previous nominations.

Donald Glover (Atlanta) plays Earn Marks, a middling music manager in the second season of the social commentary series on FX. He won this award two years ago for his show’s first season, when the series was also rewarded in the top race, though it is absent there this year. Glover also won Emmys for directing and starring in the show’s first season, and contends as part of his ensemble cast at the SAG Awards.

Bill Hader (Barry) plays Barry Berkman, a hitman who takes up an interest in acting, in the first season of the HBO comedy. His costar Henry Winkler is also nominated, and the show contends for Best TV Series – Comedy/Musical. This is Hader’s first Golden Globe bid. He took home the Emmy this past year, and is nominated both individually and along with his ensemble cast at the SAG Awards.

Additional notes: I don’t think there’s been a variety series winner in a comedy acting category since Tracey Ullman in 1987 for “The Tracey Ullman Show.” Last year’s winner, Aziz Ansari (Master of None), wasn’t eligible since his show didn’t air in 2018. This category rarely sees repeat winners, with Alec Baldwin the last to triumph again in 2009.
Who should win? I haven’t seen Cohen’s show and don’t have all that much interest. I can appreciate Glover but don’t think he should be winning this award. Carrey does great work but it’s about as off-kilter as his show. I’m about halfway through Douglas’ episodes, and he’s pretty funny. Hader really wowed me though in a fantastic lead performance in his series.
Who will win? It’s likely a battle between Douglas and Hader, and although the former’s show is recent and popular, I think the latter will win out based on overall positive feelings.

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