"Pushing Daisies," "30 Rock," "Damages" Get Some Golden Globe Love

Ah, awards season is upon us, but I can't seem to muster the same enthusiasm this year, what with the strike still going on and no sign of resolution anywhere to turn to.

Still, it's a little bit of comfort to know that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, in handing out their nominations, did decide to include some of my favorite series this year around, including Pushing Daisies, Big Love, 30 Rock, and Damages. So thanks to the HFPA for recognizing creative genius and innovative television. My hat is off to you!

So which series and actors got nominated and which ones got left out in the cold? Below is a list of the TV award categories and their nominations, along with my reactions to the major categories.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA:

BIG LOVE (HBO)
DAMAGES (FX NETWORKS)
GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC)
HOUSE (FOX)
MAD MEN (AMC)
THE TUDORS (SHOWTIME)

While I loves me some Big Love (and I am absolutely pickled that the HBO polygamy drama has gotten some much-deserved recognition), I do have to shout at the top of my lungs for my near-obsession with FX's serpentine legal thriller Damages, a first-rate Shakespearean drama about about greed, power, and the never-ending battle between might and right.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA:

PATRICIA ARQUETTE - MEDIUM
GLENN CLOSE - DAMAGES
MINNIE DRIVER - THE RICHES
EDIE FALCO - THE SOPRANOS
SALLY FIELD - BROTHERS & SISTERS
HOLLY HUNTER - SAVING GRACE
KYRA SEDGWICK - THE CLOSER

Will The Sopranos' swan song season give Edie Falco yet another statuette to polish? Possibly, but I am hoping that the award gods instead smile down upon the virtuoso performance by Glenn Close this season on Damages, a layered, complex portrayal of a woman so driven by rage and the need to live that she not only destroys everything around her but stamps out little pieces of her own soul. If Patty Hewes doesn't want away a winner when the envelope is opened, I will be a sad, sad boy.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA:

MICHAEL C. HALL - DEXTER
JON HAMM - MAD MEN
HUGH LAURIE - HOUSE
JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS - THE TUDORS
BILL PAXTON - BIG LOVE

While others might push for Mad Men's John Hamm, my thoughts of who I'd like to win this category are Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton, Bill Paxton.

Could I be any clearer?

BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL:

30 ROCK (NBC)
CALIFORNICATION (SHOWTIME)
ENTOURAGE (HBO)
EXTRAS (HBO)
PUSHING DAISIES (ABC)

Another difficult category to pick one single favorite from, what with some of my absolutely favorite series--30 Rock, Pushing Daisies, Extras--represented here. I'd absolutely love it if Pushing Daisies got some award-season love (god knows the Emmys wouldn't chance it), but 30 Rock is hands-down the funniest comedy on television right now. Gee, makes me wish that there were separate half-hour and one-hour comedy categories, but at the same time I'm happy that for once Ugly Betty won't walk away with this award. Slight edge to 30 Rock, but Pushing Daisies' quirky sensibilities could win out here. And don't discount Extras, which concludes its hilarious (if all too brief) run this month.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –COMEDY OR MUSICAL:

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE - SAMANTHA WHO?
AMERICA FERRERA - UGLY BETTY
TINA FEY - 30 ROCK
ANNA FRIEL - PUSHING DAISIES
MARY-LOUISE PARKER - WEEDS

America Ferrera will likely win for Ugly Betty, but I'd rather they instead bestow this award on one of two extremely talented actresses: either Pushing Daisies' delightfully wry Anna Friel or 30 Rock's embattled Tina Fey; both turn in gorgeous, hilarious performances, but manage to keep their characters likable and grounded. Come on, HFPA, do something daring and surprise us (pleasantly) for a change...

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL:

ALEC BALDWIN - 30 ROCK
STEVE CARELL - THE OFFICE
DAVID DUCHOVNY - CALIFORNICATION
RICKY GERVAIS - EXTRAS
LEE PACE - PUSHING DAISIES

Wowzers, this is a hard category to pick just one winner. In fact, I'd probably be okay if any of these extremely talented men walk away with the statuette, between 30 Rock's Baldwin, The Office's Carell (here in competition with Extras' Ricky Gervais, no less!), and Californication's Duchovny. But really, I have to ask the HFPA to share some love with the Pie Maker himself, Pushing Daisies' Lee Pace, whose wit, charm, and facility for rapid-fire banter has instantly endeared Ned and his special gift to me.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION:

ROSE BYRNE - DAMAGES
RACHEL GRIFFITHS - BROTHERS & SISTERS
KATHERINE HEIGL - GREY’S ANATOMY
SAMANTHA MORTON - LONGFORD
ANNA PAQUIN - BURY MY HEART AT WOUNDED KNEE
JAIME PRESSLY - MY NAME IS EARL

Can I just say how sick and tired I am of Katherine Heigl? If I have to sit through one more commercial or product integration message about 27 Dresses, I think I will pull out all of my hair. While some might give the edge to Izzie--Grey's Anatomy is extremely popular around the world--or Rachel Griffiths, I do have to put in a good word for Damages' Rose Byrne. Her performance as naive Ellen Parsons this season was a thing of beauty to watch, as she transformed before our eyes from trusting innocent to scheming shark, all under the guidance and manipulation of Patty Hewes. You can literally pinpoint the moment when her world comes crumbling down around her.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION:

TED DANSON - DAMAGES
KEVIN DILLON - ENTOURAGE
JEREMY PIVEN - ENTOURAGE
ANDY SERKIS - LONGFORD
WILLIAM SHATNER - BOSTON LEGAL
DONALD SUTHERLAND - DIRTY SEXY MONEY

As much as I love Dirty Sexy Money (and Sutherland's surly, introspective magnate Tripp Darling), the edge here definitely goes to Damages' Ted Danson, who turned in a career-defining role as crooked fat cat billionaire Arthur Frobisher, a role that was shaded by uncertainty, fear, loathing, and an innate drive to win his war, no matter who got killed along the way. It's a bravura performance that has all but erased the memory of his last meaty role: womanizing Sam on Cheers, but in the best possible way.

So what do you think of the nominations? Who deserves to win, who got overlooked, and who will ultimately walk away with the top honors? Discuss.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Survivor: China (CBS); The Office (NBC); Smallville (CW); Ugly Betty (ABC); Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? (FOX)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); 30 Rock/Saturday Night Live Christmas (NBC); Supernatural (CW); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Don't Forget the Lyrics (FOX)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); Big Shots (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Ugly Betty.

On tonight's repeat episode ("Family/Affair"), Henry returns to Mode but Betty is distracted by Wilhelmina's offer to help solve Ignacio's immigration problem, if Betty keeps shtum about her affair with her bodyguard, an offer that tests Betty's loyalties to Daniel.

8 pm: The Office.

On tonight's repeat episode from Season Three ("Benihana Christmas"), Dunder-Mifflin Scanton ends up split down the middle when an argument among the members of the Party Planning Committee leads to two office Christmas parties. Meanwhile, Michael gets dumped by Carol (and right at the holidays too!) and invites the menfolk of Dunder-Mifflin to down their sorrows.

9 pm: 30 Rock.

On tonight's strangely untitled episode, the staff of TGS with Tracy Jordan celebrates their annual Luda Christmas party, Tracy finds his merriment derailed by a court-mandated alcohol monitoring bracelet, and Liz spends time with her parents and her brother Mitch (Andy Richter), who suffers from memory loss due to a decades-old skiing accident, and Jack receives a surprise visit from his mother Colleen.

9:30-11 pm: Saturday Night Live Christmas.

Because we all could do with some levity right now; take a trip down memory lane as the Not Ready for Primetime Players present some of their most memorable holiday-themed sketches.