Live Q&As

One of the many quirky, weird things about the Globes is that they group all of their supporting TV nominees into a single category: comedy, drama series, miniseries, TV movie. It's all in the same bucket.

I wasn't sure it counted in the Globes's eligibility period. I would think so, but they also recognize a lot of new shows that are not even done with their first seasons yet, so it's a little strange.

That said, whenever Friday Night Lights is not rewarded or praised, at least one terrorist wins. You speak truth.

Last we reported (I think) the suit had been dropped, or more or less dropped.

I don't think Bieber has filed suit yet. And that may have been a scare tactic, too. I suspect the whole thing will go away.

I thought that was a strange omission, too.

Although -- and I can't believe I am saying this -- people are freakishly fascinated by the Kardashians. I am not sure Trump needed to be on the list.

Also, and I am sure you can hear this question coming: where is Ryan Gosling??

I hear you. I understand that.

That being said, "Mission Impossible" is getting outstanding reviews, which may be less about Cruise and more about what director Brad Bird brings to the table. I was supposed to see it last night and couldn't because of other work commitments. But I am looking forward to it even if, as you say, the action thing is getting a little old.

Exactly. I mean, do the math. When there are that many actors in a movie, the time you spend shooting scenes is minimal. And you get a decent paycheck.

It's like someone saying, hey, if you handle some boring administrative stuff for me, I'll pay you $15,000. Is it beneath my qualification-level? Sure. But I'll suffer through it for $15K. (For the record, I am sure Berry, De Niro, etc. made more than $15K.)

He is. And obviously a lot of this is tongue-in-cheek. I mean, I like Gosling a lot but he can't win everything.

It's just to fun to irrationally insist that he should.

Yeah, I am not surprised by that. Parks and Rec wasn't even nominated and that has at least gotten some Emmy noms in the past.

I think the Foreign Press chooses some interesting and very worthy nominees. But I also think they are mindful of attracting high-wattage people because they have a TV show to plan. Hence, the noms for Clooney, Jolie, Pitt, etc.

No, I think it's an example of them trying to embrace what's new. And not only is that a new show, but it has "new" in the title. I mean, you don't get much newer than that.

Yes, very typical. Most of the awards season fare is stacked up at the end of the year so it's at the forefront of voters' minds. So while critics and Globe voters have seen a lot of these films, regular people won't see some of them for a while.

"The Artist," for example, doesn't even hope here in D.C. until Christmas weekend.

The HFPA has a reputation for being a little less, uh, rigorous in their nomination rules than the Academy Awards do. That is true.

At the same time, I like the open-mindedness in some of the Globes. Like, musicals and comedies should get more recognition. And, whether it's due to brown-nosing, bribes or whatever, there are some deserving pieces of work that get recognition here that they simply won't at the Oscars.

Also, Josh Holloway. At least, that's part of my motivation.

I think there is definitely some of that. A show like "Parks and Rec," for example, relies on a lot of American culture stuff for its humor.

Doesn't mean other people can't find it funny, it just might mean the HFPA doesn't embrace it.

Or it could mean that no one at Parks and Rec bothered to bribe the voters. Although, honestly, wouldn't you think Tom Haverford would be totally on top of that?

I have never gotten into the singing shows. But I must admit this intrigues me.

Interesting. Not sure if that's true, but that's an interesting theory.

This has nothing to do with Barbara Walters, but I am warning you all now, in this answer, that an American Horror Story spoiler lies ahead...

AGAIN, SPOILER --

It was very sad. But I had the same thought: she looks so much hotter as a dead person than she did during labor. Dude, that was grueling. I was sweating by the time it was over. She looked so spent.

Yeah, that was another weird case where I thought, is Carell eligble? I assume so, but I don't know. It seems like anything that happens early in the year is of no consequence to the Foreign Press.

All right, it's on the to-do list.

I think for the purposes of a TV show, you just need to have a talent for saying smart alecky, funny things about other people. And Mr. Stern does have that.

Your feelings have been duly noted.

Really? I like Jonah Hill. And I thought he was good at Moneyball.

That being said, Max von Sydow really deserved to be in there for "Extremely Loud." Was surprised that he wasn't.

I like Tim Robbins, but I agree. There are a lot of supporting actors working in TV series that could have taken that spot. Some fans of "Fringe" were again outraged that John Noble never gets nominated for anything. That's just one example.

You are not the only person on the planet because I don't either. And neither does our TV critic Hank Stuever.

I did like Zooey D. in "(500) Days," though. Love that movie.

I am surprised LuvLindsey didn't write in today. Maybe she's at the morgue.

You are so right. Another snub!

What I like about Alexander Payne's films is the attention to small details and the way people talk to each other.

Like, all the cursing the kids do around their dad. It's off putting, but I think people really do talk like that.

His characters are real, but not necessarily super-likable, at least not right away. Like the friend of Shailene Woodley's that's always tagging along. He's a total doofus who seems to be there solely for comic relief, until you realize his backstory. And then it makes total sense. And Payne doesn't wring the tears out of that revelation, it's just understated and truthful.

Anyway, those are some of the things I liked about it.

Yes, I said the same thing in this post.

It's (I think) where the studio decides to submit. And since Monroe sings and some funny stuff happens, I guess they went that route. More likely to get a nomination that way. And guess what? The strategy worked.

If we can't depend on Lohan to be flaky, what can we depend on, America?

Fair point.

But I suspect most people watch those shows as a lark and less to feel like the people are being judged credibly. Stern's commentary is more likely to generate buzz than Ben Folds. And I say that as someone who likes Ben Folds.

That Tate question is one we should have address in our post. There were just too many outstanding matter to tackle.

Based on what Tate has told Violet before, and what Nora said at the beginning of the episode to Little Man Tate, that does seem to be the way to get the ghosts to disappear. Which seems ridiculously easy and raises the whole question of why the Ghostbusters ever needed to exist, but there you are.

Actually, this has me wondering: if Ben just says "Go away" will he just continue living and treating patients in the Murder House? Because he can pretend his wife and daughter are just living elsewhere.

I guess. It's been overtaken by "Boss," apparently.

I pay attention to the SAGs and the other. But I'm also a weird awards show freak.

The Globes have grown increasingly prominent over the years. Part of that is due to their television presence: people watch them, they get the stars to show up and they have that deal with NBC.

That doesn't necessarily make their choices more valid than the SAGs or the Spirits. The Globes has better marketing.

And, to an extent, it does provide a sneak preview of the Oscars. Although it wasn't quite on-target last year, when "The Social Network" won best picture.

It was slow in spots, but I thought it was a pretty decent season.

I was more surprised not to see "Breaking Bad" since Cranston was nominated.

No, you know what his Christmas is? Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher. I mean, that's a field day of jokes for a Brit.

The movie is just so-so, but Streep is pretty great. I mean, she always is.

One could argue she's a bit over-the-top in certain scenes. But I thought it was a strong performance. That said, I think I'd still vote Viola Davis. She was my favorite thing about "The Help."

Well, that doesn't stop the Globes from nominating other shows that similarly straddle multiple genres. I'd like to see the Oscars start divvying up by category.

Right, the musical/comedy breakdown gave Madonna a path to victory at the Globes.

Oh, it's all so complicated.

Anyway, I have to roll. Thanks for all your questions and comments. Next Thursday is our last chat of 2011. Let's make it count! Talk to you all then, if not on Twitter, in the comments, what have you.

Bye!