Let’s get the worst news regarding the Golden Globes nods out of the way. No, it wasn’t the fact that Sia’s “Music” earned two nominations or that Jared Leto cracked the Supporting Actor field for “The Little Things” (although more on that in a minute). In a year where social justice and Black Lives Matter was at the forefront, the HFPA not only gave almost the bare minimum to critically acclaimed films “Judas and the Black Messiah” and “One Night in Miami,” but nominated just three actors of color out of 20 acting nominations on the television side. Perhaps we simply expected too much out of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association during a pandemic.
READ MORE: “Mank” and “The Crown” lead all 2021 Golden Globe Awards nominations [Complete List]
For an award show that will act as a massive public relations opportunity to reach Oscar voters than previous years due to the telecast occurring a full 10 days before the nomination voting deadline, there was some good news for a number of contenders. As for television series hoping for an early Emmy boost, well, when you completely snub “I May Destroy You,” one of the most critically acclaimed programs of the year, it’s hard to take the HFPA’s choices that seriously.
Keeping that in mind, here are some snubs and surprises from the 78th Golden Globe Awards nominations
Surprise: “Mank” has a moment
If you were to ask any awards consultant last week what the HFPA thought of “Mank” they would say the word was mixed. “The Trial of the Chicago 7” was expected to be Netflix’s big winner at the Globes with “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” right behind it. Granted, “Trial” did earn five nominations, but no one expected David Fincher’s passion project to lead all films with six.
Snub: “I May Destroy You”
We’re not really sure we have words for this. The idea that the HFPA would completely ignore Michaela Coel’s critically acclaimed, lock for a Peabody Award achievement is one of the biggest embarrassments for the organization this century.
Snub: Delroy Lindo, “Da 5 Bloods”
Always important to realize the HFPA does try to spread the love and were cognizant of not going overboard with too many nominations for Netflix, but snubbing Delroy Lindo and “Da 5 Bloods” overall was a choice. And, surprise, Twitter wasn’t happy about it.
Surprise: “Promising Young Woman”
What a day for Focus Features. Carey Mulligan in Lead Actress – Drama and Emerald Fennell in Screenplay were expected, but Fennell in Director and a Best Motion Picture – Drama nomination? When most observers thought that could only happen if it qualified as a Musical or Comedy? Wow.
Surprise: “Music”
There was buzz that the HFPA loved Sia’s directorial debut, but most awards watchers didn’t think they would really go through with it. Oh, boy did they. Not only did it land a Best Picture – Musical or Comedy nomination, but Kate Hudson took one in the Lead Actress – Musical or Comedy category. Granted, it was a week field this year, but not that weak. We’re talking, shudder, “The Tourist” nominations territory here.
Surprise: Jared Leto, “The Little Things”
I mean, even Warner Bros. has to be shocked at this one.
Surprise: Andra Day, “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”
Can you transition your release and awards campaign from one studio to another (in this case, Paramount to Hulu) in the middle of a pandemic and still land your leading lady a Golden Globe nod? Yes, you can! Perhaps it says more of Day’s fine performance in Lee Daniel’s film more than anything else. Should also be noted, the Day composed “Tigeress & Tweed” also earned a nod in the Original Song category.
Snub: Zendaya, “Malcolm & Marie”
Perhaps it came on too late (watch for that possibly with SAG voters as well) or they thought the movie was just not good (others concur), but the fact the popular Emmy winner didn’t get recognized was very unexpected.
Snub: “One Night in Miami”
Amazon has to be slightly smarting over the fact Regina King earned a Directing nomination, but her feature debut didn’t crack the Motion Picture- Drama category. The nods for Original Song (“Speak Now”) and Leslie Odom, Jr. in the Supporting Actor category help ease the pain, but it has to be head-scratching a bit.
Snub: “News of the World”
Speaking of studios wondering what happened, the word on the street was Universal’s “News of the World” was an HFPA favorite. Instead, it just ended up with nods for Helena Zengel and Original Score. Even Tom Hanks, who won the Cecil B. DeMille Award last year, was snubbed.
Surprise: Glenn Close, “Hillbilly Elegy”
I mean, the HFPA are gonna HFPA aren’t they?
Surprise: “The Mauritanian”
Coming out of left field (sort of), is STX’s awards player. Jodie Foster was seen as having an outside shot in Supporting Actress, but Tahar Rahim overcame some major competition to crack the Best Actor – Drama category. Nice wins for a movie a little too under the radar at the moment.
Surprise: Bill Murray, “On the Rocks”
A living legend for sure, but for Murray to sneak in over Paul Raci (“Sound of Metal”), Mark Rylance (“Trial of the Chicago 7”), and Colman Domingo (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) was impressive.
Surprise: Rosamund Pike, “I Care a Lot”
The Oscar nominee has done a ton of virtual campaigning for her Amazon drama “Radioactive,” but it was the Netflix Toronto pickup “I Care a Lot” which earned her a third Golden Globe nomination in the Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category. And when you can knock out two Meryl Streep performances to sneak in there, that’s nothing to sneeze at.
Snubbed: Meryl Streep
We’re not sure Streep can ever be truly snubbed considering all the hardware on her mantle, but with the Musical-Comedy field so weak this year she was expected to earn a nomination for either “The Prom” or “Let Them Talk” or possibly both. Ouch.
Snubbed: “Bridgerton”
According to Netflix’s metrics, one of the biggest hits the service has had in years. Perhaps HFPA members just watched the first two minutes and stopped.
Surprise: Al Pacino, “Hunters”
Did you remember this series even happened? Did you remember Al Pacino was even in it? The HFPA did!
Surprise: “The Flight Attendant”
HBO Max is on the awards scoreboard as the Kaley Cuoco produced series earned a Best Musical or Comedy Series and Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy nomination. Honestly, well deserved.
Surprise: Jane Levy, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist”
Speaking of well deserved, we’ll give credit where credit is due. Unlike the Emmys, the HFPA recognized the fantastic work of Levy in “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.” Now, if only the Television Academy will pay attention to season two.
The 78th Annual Golden Globes will be announced during a ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 28 from 5-8 PM PT on NBC.
