The format of the Golden Globes-- in which films, series, and their subsequent actors are split between two categories, drama and musical/comedy-- should make the annual awards show pretty much snub-proof. Of course, it doesn’t. Because what fun would that be?

 

Here are the most glaring snubs and biggest, jaw-dropping surprises of the 2013 Golden Globe nominations. This year’s list was all over the place, from the expected future Oscar contenders (Argo, Les Miserables, Silver Linings Playbook) to the movies and series that very few even bothered to see (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and Smash, anyone?). Plus-- spoiler alert-- check out winner predictions, then form your own thoughts and judgments on who might take home the biggest prizes.

 

Motion Picture-- Drama

 

-   ARGO

-   DJANGO UNCHAINED

-   LIFE OF PI

-   LINCOLN

-   ZERO DARK THIRTY

 

Best Actress- Drama

 

-   Jessica Chastain- ZERO DARK THIRTY

-   Marion Cotillard- RUST AND BONE

-   Helen Mirren- HITCHCOCK

-   Naomi Watts- THE IMPOSSIBLE

-   Rachel Weisz- THE DEEP BLUE SEA

 

Best Actor- Drama

 

-   Daniel Day-Lewis- LINCOLN

-   Richard Gere- ARBITRAGE

-   John Hawkes- THE SESSIONS

-   Joaquin Phoenix- THE MASTER

-   Denzel Washington- FLIGHT

 

Snubs: Some deserving films were left out of the drama category, but thankfully, many deserving actors were awarded their due. The few exceptions most definitely include Best Actress contender Quvenzhane` Wallis, the pint-sized wonder who enchanted in the emotional and profound Beasts of the Southern Wild, as well as Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master for Best Picture. Perhaps the film was a bit beyond its time, or perhaps star Joaquin Phoenix’s flippant comments hurt The Master’s chances. Let’s hope it wasn’t the latter, because Phoenix gives a gut-wrenching, career-best performance in the film (and thankfully he was nominated for Best Actor.) Let’s also hope that the Oscars wise up and learn from the Globes’ mistake.

 

Surprises: Helen Mirren, Rachel Weisz, and Denzel Washington. All talented actors in their own right, but Hitchock was not well received, and both The Deep Blue Sea and Flight were little-seen. Richard Gere for Arbitrage was also a surprise, but of the good, well-deserved variety.

 

Spoilers: Fingers should be collectively crossed for Joaquin Phoenix, but the Globes will probably favor the far safer choice of actor: Daniel Day-Lewis for Lincoln. The praise for Naomi Watts in The Impossible is slowly but steadily gaining steam, however, she’ll first have to knock out Best Actress frontrunner Jessica Chastain. As for Best Picture, this category is up in the air, as each nominated film has received its fair share of pre-awards buzz. Despite this, Ben Affleck’s comeback as a major force in directing has shown no signs of slowing. His political thriller Argo was both a critical and commercial hit, and could pull off a win in a very tight race.

 

Motion Picture-- Musical/Comedy

 

-   THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

-   LES MISERABLES

-   MOONRISE KINGDOM

-   SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

-   SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

 

Best Actress- Musical/Comedy

 

- Emily Blunt- SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

-   Judi Dench- THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

-   Jennifer Lawrence- SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

-   Maggie Smith- QUARTET

-   Meryl Streep- HOPE SPRINGS

 

Best Actor- Musical/Comedy

 

-   Jack Black- BERNIE

-   Bradley Cooper- SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

-   Hugh Jackman- LES MISERABLES

-   Ewan McGregor- SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

-   Bill Murray- HYDE PARK ON HUDSON

 

Snubs: In this year’s musical/comedy category, the Globes have reverted back to old Academy ways: nominating distinguished performers over popular stars. If Maggie Smith and Emily Blunt could earn nominations for Quartet and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, respectively, then couldn’t Leslie Mann-- one of the best and most under-appreciated comedic actresses of her generation-- nab a spot for her role in This is 40?

 

Surprises: Again, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen-- did anyone else miss the boat on that one? Finding Jack Black’s name on the list for Best Actor was also a bit of a shocker, although it’s nice to see the funnyman recognized for new and challenging work.

 

Spoilers: Bradley Cooper went from suave movie star hunk to serious thespian in the blink of an eye thanks to Silver Linings Playbook. Regardless, the Best Actor statue should be Hugh Jackman’s to lose (the same goes for fellow Anne Hathaway in the Supporting category.) On the Best Actress front, Cooper’s charming young co-star Jennifer Lawrence should find that the odds are in her favor (sorry) and take home her very first big award. Overall, the people behind Silver Linings Playbook should have lots to celebrate come January 13. As much as Wes Anderson’s wild and whimsical sleeper hit Moonrise Kingdom may deserve the title of Best Picture, Silver Linings is starting to look like a sure thing-- as long as Les Mis doesn’t show up and spoil the fun.

 

Television Series-- Drama

 

-  BREAKING BAD

-  BOARDWALK EMPIRE

-  DOWNTON ABBEY: SEASON 2

-  HOMELAND

-  THE NEWSROOM

 

Best Actress-- Drama

 

-  Connie Britton- NASHVILLE

-  Glenn Close- DAMAGES

-  Claire Danes- HOMELAND

-  Michelle Dockery- DOWNTON ABBEY: SEASON 2

-  Julianna Margulies- THE GOOD WIFE

 

Best Actor-- Drama

 

-  Steve Buscemi- BOARDWALK EMPIRE

-  Bryan Cranston- BREAKING BAD

-  Jeff Daniels- THE NEWSROOM

-  Jon Hamm- MAD MEN

-  Damian Lewis- HOMELAND

 

Snubs: So many snubs, so little time. What about The Walking Dead? Game of Thrones? And, most of all, Mad Men? Any one of these shows could have received a nomination. Further, of the many talented actors who were left out in the cold, Best Actress or Supporting Actress contender Christina Hendricks is the very worst offense. Losing the Emmy to Maggie Smith back in September was one thing, but this time, the growing under-appreciation of Hendricks’ work has simply gone too far. Hendricks has only become more impressive throughout each of Mad Men’s five seasons, and “The Other Woman”-- the episode which should have won her multiple awards this year, but hasn’t -- earned her rave reviews and near universal critical acclaim. What makes even less sense is that Hayden Panettiere managed to sneak into the Supporting category for her role as a teen pop princess in Nashville. What will it take for Christina Hendricks to finally be awarded the recognition she deserves? Should she try bursting  into song?

 

Surprises: Most definitely The Newsroom. Which isn’t to say that it’s not a well-done, promising new show-- it is-- but it should not have taken the place of Mad Men, a consistently great series which reached its creative peak this year.

 

Spoilers: It really isn’t spoiling much to say that Homeland is a lock; from praise by the President to Saturday Night Live parodies, it’s the show that’s been elevated to pop culture phenomenon status. Stars Claire Danes and Damian Lewis should also find themselves making acceptance speeches for the second year in a row, unless something goes terribly awry.

 

Television Series-- Musical/Comedy

 

-  THE BIG BANG THEORY

-  EPISODES

-  GIRLS

-  MODERN FAMILY

-  SMASH

 

Best Actress-- Musical/Comedy

 

-  Zooey Deschanel- NEW GIRL

-  Julia Louis- Dreyfus- VEEP

-  Lena Dunham- GIRLS

-  Tina Fey- 30 ROCK

-  Amy Poehler- PARKS AND RECREATION

 

Best Actor-- Musical/Comedy

 

-  Alec Baldwin- 30 ROCK

-  Don Cheadle- HOUSE OF LIES

-  Louis C.K.- LOUIE

-  Matt LeBlanc- EPISODES

-  Jim Parsons- THE BIG BANG THEORY

 

Snubs: Louie, 30 Rock, Community, Parks and Recreation, and New Girl are just some of the shows that could have been honored by the Globes, but weren’t.

 

Surprises: Matt LeBlanc for Episodes, as well as the show itself. LeBlanc won last year’s Globe, so it’s probably time to let someone else take over. Additionally, not one member of the talented cast of Happy Endings-- the funny and clever ensemble comedy that no one is watching-- found themselves nominated, despite much critical praise for the show’s third season. Damon Wayans, Jr and Eliza Coupe, in particular, could be the funniest TV couple currently on the small screen.

 

Spoilers: Musical/Comedy is the one area in which each category is a true toss-up. Hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will go head-to-head in Best Actress, so count on either one to nab a statue (Poehler, especially, is long overdue.) Since 30 Rock has aired its final season, Alec Baldwin could find himself going out on top, but only if cult favorite Louis C.K. doesn’t sneak out from behind him. Finally, for Best Series, truly anything could win-- as long as it’s not Smash.

 

The Golden Globe Awards air on Sunday, January 13 on NBC.

 

 

Author Bio:

Loren DiBlasi is a contributing writer at Highbrow Magazine.