There are so many lengthy reviews and recaps of the 6th season premiere of Lost out there, that I’m not going to even attempt 3,000 words. I absolutely adore this show, and the season premiere was (as most episodes are), pretty mind-blowing. Questions were answered, but now there are even more questions I have, and theories I am milling around in my head. I thought I would post my thoughts, and I’d love to hear yours as well.

First of all, I want to address the two alternate realities. It was an ingenious idea on the part of the Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse (creators) to show us a world where detonating that bomb did work, and one where it didn’t. In the one where it did work, and the crash never happened, I absolutely loved all the call backs that were made to season 1: the whole plane ride exchange between Jack and Rose, Sun and Jin, and Boone (can I just swoon for a second and say how much I loved seeing Ian Somerhalder back on Lost). What happened after the plane crashed (that never actually happened in the pilot) was fantastic too — Charlie, Sawyer and Kate! I think one of my favorite exchanges was between Jack and John Locke after the plane landed. And if the plane landed safely in Los Angeles, where is Jack’s dad’s body? On the island? (See, I said I had questions)

Read more…

The Awards season is clearly upon us. On Monday, the Golden Globe nominations were announced, and today, the SAG Awards. The choices were a bit different from the Globes, with a few surprises.

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble – Drama Series

• The Closer
• Dexter
• The Good Wife
• Mad Men
• True Blood

I am glad to see The Closer, The Good Wife and True Blood getting some attention, but where is Lost?

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble – Comedy Series

• 30 Rock
• Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Glee
• Modern Family
• The Office

All the usual choices here. Rooting for Glee or Modern Family (obviously), but it’s a tough category. I would have loved to see How I Met Your Mother nominated, because if any show is about its ensemble, it’s that one.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor – Drama Series

• Simon Baker, “The Mentalist”
• Bryan Cransten, “Breaking Bad”
• Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
• Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
• Hugh Laurie,”House”

All strong choices and nominees…it’s nice to see Breaking Bad get some attention. But again, where is Lost? Such a great show with nomination-worthy performances.

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor – Drama Series

• Patricia Arquette, “Medium”
• Glenn Close, “Damages”
• Mariska Hargitay, “Law and Order: SVU”
• Holy Hunter, “Saving Grace”
• Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
• Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”

I guess the SAG Awards can differ in terms of how many nominees for each category. It’s a bit strange, but there are a lot of strong female leads out there, and I think all of these nominees are good choices.

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor – Comedy Series

• Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
• Steve Carell, “The Office”
• Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
• Tony Shaloub, “Monk”
• Charlie Sheen “Two and a Half Men”

All of these nominations seem decent, but where is Neil Patrick Harris for “How I Met Your Mother?”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor – Comedy Series

• Christina Applegate, “Samantha Who”
• Toni Colette, “United States of Tara”
• Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
• Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”

These nominations don’t make a ton of sense. If you look at the Ensemble nominations, only Tina Fey represents one of the shows. None of the other shows represented in this Best Actress category were nominated for Best Comedy Series Ensemble. I think all of them are great actors, but where is the nomination for Jane Lynch or Lea Michele? I understand there is no “Supporting Actress” category, but if Glee, Modern Family and The Office are nominated as shows, where is the recognition for the actresses that make up that ensemble?

Overall thoughts: While I understand that the SAG Awards are primarily focused on movies, if they are going to include television, I think there should at least be the addition of a couple more categories. I was glad to see Glee and Modern Family get nominated, but they were left off in the acting categories. Lost is definitely a fan-favorite, but has not gotten much critical recognition this year. Hopefully after its last season, the show will get what it deserves. I will be watching the SAG Awards regardless. Will you? What are your thoughts on this awards show and the nominations.

2010 Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominations List

December 17, 2009

by:

Ani Esmailian

Nominees for the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® for outstanding performances in 2009 in five film and eight primetime television categories and for the SAG honors for film and television stunt ensembles were announced this morning in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center’s Silver Screen Theater in West Hollywood.

“Up in the Air,” “Precious” and “Inglourious Basterds” each have three nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards, among them honors for George Clooney, Diane Kruger and Mo’Nique.

“Inglourious Basterds” and “Precious” are competing for the guild’s overall cast prize, along with “An Education,” “The Hurt Locker” and “Nine.”

Check out the full list of Movie and TV show nominees and tell us if you agree!

MOTION PICTURE NOMINEES
Actor
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
George Clooney, Up In the Air
Colin Firth, A Single Man
Morgan Freeman, Invictus
Jeremy Renner, The Hurt Locker

Actress
Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Gabourey Sidibe, Precious
Meryl Streep, Julie and Julia

Supporting Actor
Matt Damon, Invictus
Woody Harrelson, The Messenger
Christopher Plummer, The Last Station
Stanley Tucci, The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

Supporting Actress
Penelope Cruz, Nine
Vera Farmiga, Up In the Air
Anna Kendrick, Up In the Air
Diane Kruger, Inglourious Basterds
Mo’Nique, Precious

Ensemble Cast
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Nine
Precious

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Public Enemies
Star Trek
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

TELEVISION NOMINEES

Actor in a Telefilm or Miniseries
Kevin Bacon, “Taking Chance”
Cuba Gooding Jr., “Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story”
Jeremy Irons, “Georgia O’Keeffe”
Kevin Kline, “Great Performances Cyrano de Bergerac”
Tom Wilkinson, “A Number”

Actress in a Telefilm or Miniseries
Joan Allen, “Georgia O’Keeffe”
Drew Barrymore, “Grey Gardens”
Ruby Dee, “America”
Jessica Lange, “Grey Gardens”
Sigourney Weaver, “Prayers for Bobby”

Actress in a Drama Series
Patricia Arquette, “Medium”
Glenn Close, “Damages”
Mariska Hargitay, “Law & Order: SVU”
Holly Hunter, “Saving Grace”
Julianna Marguilies, “The Good Wife”
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”

Actor in a Drama Series
Simon Baker, “The Mentalist”
Bryan Cranson, “Breaking Bad”
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Hugh Laurie, “House“

Actor in a Comedy Series
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Steve Carell, “The Office”
Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Tony Shaloub, “Monk”
Charlie Sheen, “Two and a Half Men”

Actress in a Comedy Series
Christina Applegate, “Samantha Who”
Toni Colette, “United States of Tara”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”

Drama Series:

• Breaking Bad
• Big Love
• Lost
• Dexter
• Damages
• House

No real surprises here, good nominations all around.

Comedy Series:

• Entourage
• Family Guy
• Flight of the Conchords
• How I Met Your Mother
• The Office
• 30 Rock
• Weeds

Family Guy has been nominated before, but it’s a little strange to see it in a category with How I Met Your Mother. Flight of the Conchords is a nice surprise.

Lead Actress in a Drama Series:

• Sally Field (Brothers and Sisters)
• Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)
• Glen Close (Damages)
• Mariska Hargitay (Law and Order: SVU)
• Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)
• Holly Hunter (Saving Grace)

My main girls are nominated again! Also, glad to see Holly Hunter up there for Saving Grace.

Lead Actor in a Drama Series:

• Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
• Michael C Hall (Dexter)
• Hugh Laurie (House)
• Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment)
• Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
• Simon Baker (The Mentalist)

I had hoped for a 2 year in a row Gabriel Byrne nomination and I got it! Here’s to hoping he wins, but there is definitely some stiff competition.

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:

• Julia-Louis Dreyfuss (The New Adventures of Old Christine)
• Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?)
• Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program)
• Tina Fey (3o Rock)
• Tony Collette (United States of Tara)
• Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds)

This category has some much-deserving funny ladies. Sarah Silverman is maybe the most surprising, but very well deserved. I’d love to see her or Toni Collette pull out a win!

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:

• Jermaine Clement (Flight of The Conchords)
• Tony Shalhoub (Monk)
• Steve Carell (The Office)
• Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
• Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men)
• Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)

All very funny men…my guess would be Jim Parsons takes home the statue. He was so cute when Chandra Wilson announced his nomination.

Made for TV Movie:

• Coco Chanel
• Grey Gardens
• Into the Storm
• Prayers For Bobby
• Taking Chance

Grey Gardens! Also, Prayers For Bobby was pretty great, so I’m happy to see it nominated.

Lead Actress/Miniseries:

• Shirley MacLaine (Coco Chanel)
• Drew Barrymore (Grey Gardens)
• Jessica Lange (Grey Gardens)
• Sigourney Weaver (Prayers For Bobby)
• Chandra Wilson (Accidental Friendship)

It’s nice to see some great, seasoned actresses in this category.

Lead Actor/Miniseries:

• Kevin Kline (Cyrano de Bergerac: Great Performances)
• Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm)
• Sir Ian McKellan (King Lear: Great Performances)
• Kevin Bacon (Taking Chance)
• Kiefer Sutherland (24: redemption)
• Kevin Brannagh (Wallander: One Step Behind)

Along the same lines, some incredibly actors in this category too!

Reality Competition Program:

• Amazing Race
• American Idol
• Dancing With The Stars
• Project Runway
• Top Chef

It’s nice to see the Bravo shows represented…I am pulling for one of those to win!

Outstanding Variety, Music, Comedy Series:

• Colbert Report
• The Daily Show
• Late Show with David Letterman
• Real Time with Bill Maher
• Saturday Night Live

Solid choices (pretty much the same as every year).

No supporting categories announced live, which is a little surprising, but here are more categories worth discussing:

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:

• Tracy Morgan (30 Rock)
• Jack McBrayer (30 Rock)
• Kevin Dillon (Entourage)
• Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)
• Rainn Wilson (The Office)
• Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men)

While I am thrilled for Neil Patrick Harris, I think he should have been nominated in the Lead Actor category. I’m obviously hoping he wins, because Barney Stinson is one of the best things to happen to television, but who knows. Jack McBrayer gets a very deserving nomination here as well…very happy for him.

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:

• Jane Krakowski (30 Rock)
• Kristen Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies)
• Kristen Wiig (SNL), Amy Poehler (SNL)
• Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty)
• Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds)

I am thrilled to see two ladies from SNL nominated (I totally called Amy Poehler’s nomination). However, I’m sad that Jenna Fischer didn’t get a nod. There’s always next year!

Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:

• Cherry Jones (24)
• Rose Byrne (Damages)
• Sandra Oh (Greys Anatomy)
• Chandra Wilson (Greys Anatomy)
• Dianne Wiest (In Treatment)
• Hope Davis (In Treatment)

Dianne Wiest and Hope Davis were phenomenal on In Treatment…so here’s to hoping one of them wins (get it, hoping?)

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series:

• Jon Hamm (30 Rock)
• Steve Martin (30 Rock)
• Alan Alda (30 Rock)
• Beau Bridges (Desperate Housewives)
• Justin Timberlake (SNL)

All of these actors are great, but I am most excited to see Justin Timberlake nominated. He is one of the best SNL hosts out there, and I’m glad to see him recognized.

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series:

• Jennifer Aniston (3o Rock)
• Elaine Stritch (30 Rock)
• Gena Rowlands (Monk)
• Betty White (My Name is Earl)
• Tina Fey (SNL-Presidential Bash 2008)
• Christine Baranski (The Big Bang Theory)

I totally called it. Apparently, I was not out in left field when suggesting Tina Fey needed to be recognized somehow for her Sarah Palin performances. Way to go, TV Academy, you did well!

So overall, most nominations weren’t surprising, but there were a few good (and not so good ones). I was really excited to see Dr. Horrible’s Sing A Long Blog nominated as well as Motherlover (SNL–sequel to Dick In A Box). I look forward to Emmy night!

Brian K. Vaughan, who is mostly known for his comic book writing, but has also written for Lost for the last 2.5 seasons, is moving on.

“Unfortunately he has left for greener pastures,” the series’ executive producer Damon Lindelof told fans during a Q&A session at Curzon Cinema.

Best of luck to Mr. Vaughan, but we will miss him on Lost!

Here is one of my favorite moments from this season, in a Brian K. Vaughan written episode called “Namaste”…I believe Hurley sums it all up at the end: “Uhhh, what?!”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI27K8aXkBo&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0]