Ricky Gervais to host the Golden Globes again!

Here's the story from Deadline:

NBC has tapped Ricky Gervais to host the Golden Globes for a second time. The Hollywood Foreign Press Assoc.’ awards show, produced by dick clark prods., had never had a host until this year when Gervais took over MC duties.

As part of that deal with the British comedian, NBC had an option on him for a second year and chose to exercise it well in advance of the January 16, 2011 ceremony. That essentially puts Gervais out of contention for other vacant hosting gigs over the next year, such as the Emmys and the Oscars.

"I can't believe they invited me back after awful things I said," said Gervais. "Let's see how far I can go this time."

While he had been standout as a presented at other awards shows, Gervais’ first hosting gig at this year’s Globes, which featured him drinking and plugging DVDs of the British series The Office, which he co-created and starred in, drew mixed reviews. But the January 17 Globes telecast was up from the year before by double digits, delivering NBC's highest adult 18-49 non-sports rating in the time slot in five years NBC's largest non-sports viewership in six years.

-Thoughts?

The Golden Globes announce their submission deadlines!

Via The Hollywood Reporter:

The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. has announced its timetable for the 68th annual Golden Globe Awards, which will be broadcast live by NBC on Jan. 16 from the Beverly Hilton.

The organization said Sunday that the deadline for film and TV submissions is Nov. 5, and nomination ballots must be received by Dec. 10. Nominations will be announced Dec. 14.

Other dates include: Nov. 11, announcement of Cecil B. DeMille Award; Dec. 8, final screening date for motion picture contenders; Dec. 27, final ballots mailed; and Jan. 12, final ballots due.

-Mark it down...

The Oscars will be held in February again!

February 27, 2011 to be exact, according to this in The Hollywood Reporter:

There are only 48 weeks left until the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.

While the Oscars this year took place on the first Sunday in March to avoid going head-to-head with the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics, next year's Oscar schedule, released Thursday, will culminate with the awards showing returning to the last Sunday in February, a spot on the calendar that it has occupied since 2004. That will effectively shorten awards season by at least a week.

The Academy has slotted Feb. 27 for its next Oscarcast.

The deadline for nomination ballots is Jan. 14; the nominations will be announced Jan. 25; and final ballots will be due Feb. 22.

The ceremony will once again take place at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland and be broadcast by ABC.

Separately, the Producers Guild of America also set dates for its 22nd annual Producers Guild Awards, which will take place on Saturday, Jan. 22.

The 2011 calendar is quickly filling up. The Golden Globe Awards have already claimed Sunday, Jan. 16. The DGA Awards will be held on Saturday, Jan. 29, and the SAG Awards are set for Sunday, Jan. 30.

-Thoughts?

Curious when the next Golden Globes will be held?

Well, wonder no more, as The Hollywood Reporter has the answer:

The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. has set Sunday, Jan. 16, as the date for its 68th annual Golden Globe Awards. The show again will be broadcast live by NBC from the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The broadcast is produced by Dick Clark Prods. in association with the HFPA.

The 2010 show saw a 14% audience increase from the previous year's broadcast and delivered NBC's biggest non-sports audience in the time period in six years.

-Mark it down...

New predictions for Best Director and Actor hightlight the Main Page of The Awards Circuit, along with an interview with Anthony Mackie, and more!

Yes, the Main Page of The Awards Circuit has something for everyone today. The main Predictions are continuing to get updated, with Best Director and Best Actor getting a face-lift. The predix can be found here and here, so check them out and let us know what you think!
We also have another new interview for your reading pleasure, this one with The Hurt Locker's Anthony Mackie. It can be found here, so read and enjoy!
Those interested in Clayton's reactions to the Golden Globes, along with how he did in predictions, would do well to go here and check that out.
Also on the front of our fearless leader, he's put out his annual Davis Awards, which are always interesting. Those are found here, so see how your top honors of the year match up with his.
Finally, remember to keep voting in the Awards Circuit Community Awards. Go here and support your favorites from 2009!
-Thoughts on the new predictions, interview, and articles?

In case you missed last night's Golden Globes Tribute to Martin Scorsese...

...here it is:

-Congrats to him!

Full List of Golden Globe Winners (Film)

Best Picture (Drama): Avatar

Best Picture (Comedy/Musical): The Hangover

Best Actor (Drama): Jeff Bridges, "Crazy Heart"

Best Actress (Drama): Sandra Bullock, "The Blind Side"

Best Actor (Comedy/Musical): Robert Downey, Jr., "Sherlock Holmes"

Best Actress (Comedy/Musical): Meryl Streep, "Julie & Julia"

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, "Inglourious Basterds"

Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique, "Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire"

Best Director: James Cameron, "Avatar"

Best Screenplay: Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner, "Up in the Air"

Best Original Song: "The Weary Kind" by T-Bone Burnett & Ryan Bingham, "Crazy Heart"

Best Original Score: Michael Giacchino, "Up"

Best Animated Film: "Up"

Best Foreign Language Film: "The White Ribbon"

Live Blogging the Golden Globes...

Welcome one and all, and thank you for joining us to follow our live coverage of this year's Golden Globes. The pre-show begins at 7:00 (Eastern Time), with the actual awards show beginning at 8:00. Be sure to follow along, and watch the show on NBC. I'll be sure to list the times of each post so you know what I'm talking about. Until then, use this post to comment on the proceedings, voice your opinion, give predictions, etc. Enjoy the show!

7:00 - And we're off! Billy Bush (who you may remember actively ruining the Globes not long ago) chats with people about things we don't care about, occasionally mentioning movies. When he finds time to get over the fact that it's raining and bug celebrities about their love lives, he chats to George Clooney (whose beard makes him looks strangely like George Lucas), David Duchovny (goading him over the fact that his wife got a kiss from George Clooney), Gabourey Sidibe, Jeff Bridges, Fergie, Tracy Morgan, Marion Cotillard, Bradley Cooper, Chloe Sevigny, Taylor Lautner (for some reason) and others. They keep employing a "fashion camera" that takes horrendously blurry pictures of the stars' outfits.

7:21 - Morgan Freeman makes the first of I'm sure many comments about no matter how much fun we're having now, we must not forget about what's going on in Haiti.

7:23 - We get it, it's raining! You don't have to comment on it every five seconds as though we're going to forget if you don't keep reminding us.

7:25 - The interviewer attempts to ask Robert Downey, Jr. and Samuel L. Jackson about "Iron Man", and reveals that she clearly has no idea what "Iron Man" was about. RDJ does his best to avoid talking to her, but can't escape her nagging.

7:27 - Note to interviewer: Ricky Gervais's name is not French. You do pronounce the S.

7:29 - Seeing Mariah Carey with all her makeup on again really does highlight how much she disappeared into her character in "Precious".

7:32 - Billy Bush desperately employs the Golden Globe snuggie. Sandra Bullock and her husband try to play it off awkwardly.

7:34 - I wonder if these actors ever get tired of these talk show hosts awkwardly telling them about the roles they played.

7:38 - Just in case we weren't aware, yes, it is raining, and yes, the organizers have done a horrible job of preparing for it by only having a handful of umbrellas. The hosts are apparently physically incapable of not commenting on it at least once per interview.

7:39 - Julia Roberts has earned major cool points in my book for totally calling NBC out on not properly preparing for the show. Billy Bush tries to strike back by commenting that she passed on "The Blind Side". Tom Hanks retorts by observing that the lighting on the interview is awful.

7:42 - Colin Farrell admits to drinking heavily in order to sing for "Crazy Heart". 18 minutes until showtime.

7:54 - Tina Fey: "It's not raining, it's just God crying for NBC."

8:00 - The pre-show is over, and it's time for the actual show! Here we go!

8:01 - Ricky Gervais is still jokingly bitter about Steve Carrell taking his role on "The Office". Going ahead and touting his own series and taking a jab at NBC.

8:03 - Making a few jokes about the necessity of actors. He's on a roll tonight. And of course the obligatory Jay Leno joke.

8:05 - Nicole Kidman (after reminding everyone to support the troubles in Haiti) presents Best Supporting Actress (Film). And the winner is...Mo'Nique (Precious)! No huge surprise there. Nice impassioned speech, very emotional.

8:10 - Best Actress (Comedy/Musical, TV Series) goes to...Toni Collette (United States of Tara).

8:16 - Best Supporting Actor (TV Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie) goes to...John Lithgow (Dexter).

8:20 - Paul McCartney presents Best Animated Feature (for some reason). "Animated films are not just for children. They're also for adults who take drugs." The winner is...Up! Surprise surprise.

8:28 - Kate Hudson presents a clip from "Nine", nominated for Best Picture (Comedy/Musical).

8:29 - Ricky Gervais continues to shill for his own work. "The Invention of Lying" is out Tuesday.

8:30 - Felicity Huffman stammers her way through an introduction of the Philip Burke, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Happy 67 years.

8:32 - Best Actor (Drama, TV Series) goes to...Michael C. Hall (Dexter). It was recently reported that he's battling cancer. Congratulations to him.

8:35 - Best Actress (Drama, TV Series) goes to...Julianna Marguelies (The Good Wife).

8:42 - Harrison Ford presents a clip from "Up in the Air", nominated for Best Picture (Drama).

8:44 - Best Original Song goes to..."The Weary Kind (Theme from Crazy Heart)" (Crazy Heart).

8:47 - Best Original Score goes to...Michael Giacchino (Up).

8: 53 - Best Miniseries or TV Movie goes to...Grey Gardens!

8:58 - Tom Hanks insults both Alec Baldwin and Stanley Tucci on his way to introduce a clip from "Julie & Julia", nominated for Best Picture (Comedy/Musical).

9:00 - Colin Farrell presents Best Actress (Comedy/Musical, Film). The winner is...Meryl Streep (Julie & Julia)! She seems rather unstoppable now.

9:09 - Helen Mirren introduces a clip from "Precious", nominated for Best Picture (Drama).

9:10 - Best Actor (Miniseries or TV Movie) goes to...Kevin Bacon (Taking Chance).

9:13 - Best Actress (Miniseries or TV Movie) goes to...Drew Barrymore (Grey Gardens).

9:21 - Cameron Diaz introduces a clip from "It's Complicated", nominated for Best Picture (Comedy/Musical).

9:22 - Best Screenplay (Film) goes to...Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner (Up in the Air)!

9:26 - Best Actor (Comedy/Musical, TV Series) goes to...Alec Baldwin (30 Rock). Not available to accept the award due to a charity obligation.

9:32 - Samuel L. Jackson presents a clip from "Inglourious Basterds", nominated for Best Picture (Drama).

9:33 - Sam then introduces Sophia Loren, who gets a standing ovation before presenting Best Foreign Language Film. The winner is...The White Ribbon (Germany).

9:37 - Best TV Series (Drama) goes to...Mad Men!

9:40 - It appears that they're going overtime, because every winner has started getting played off by the music.

9:45 - Taylor Lautner (ugh) presents the clip from "(500) Days of Summer", nominated for Best Picture (Comedy/Musical).

9:45 - Best Supporting Actress (TV Series, Miniseries, or TV Movie) goes to...Chloe Sevigny (Big Love).

9:49 - Halle Berry presents Best Supporting Actor (Film). The award goes to...Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds)! Is he a lock for the win?

9:57 - Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio present Martin Scorsese with the Cecil B. DeMille Award. This is long overdue. Truly a master filmmaker.

10:00 - An excellent montage of Scorsese's greatest hits, along with a sneak peek at "Shutter Island".

10:04 - Scorsese gives an eloquent speech about the importance of collaboration and preserving film. The world of cinema as a whole is far richer for all of this man's output. Congratulations.

10:12 - Jodie Foster introduces a clip from "The Hurt Locker", nominated for Best Picture (Drama).

10:14 - Mel Gibson presents Best Director (Film). And the award goes to...James Cameron (Avatar)! Didn't see that one coming.

10:19 - Best TV Series (Comedy/Musical) goes to...Glee!

10:25 - The cast of "The Hangover" introduces a clip from "The Hangover", nominated for Best Picture (Comedy/Musical).

10:26 - Reese Witherspoon presents Best Picture (Comedy/Musical). And the winner is...The Hangover! Bit of a surprise there.

10:33 - Arnold Schwarzenegger introduces a clip from "Avatar", despite being unable to pronounce it properly.

10:35 - Mickey Rourke presents Best Actress (Drama, Film). And the winner is...Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side). How about that.

10:39 - Sally Hawkins presents Best Actor (Comedy/Musical, Film). And the winner is...Robert Downey, Jr. (Sherlock Holmes)! Best speech of the night. Sarcastically not thanking everyone. Beautiful.

10:46 - Kate Winslet presents Best Actor (Drama, Film). And the winner is...Jeff Bridges (Crazy Heart)! Congratulations sir!

10:55 - Julia Roberts presents Best Picture (Drama). And the winner is...Avatar! Go figure. This one has a serious shot at winning the Oscar now. Way to shake up the race.

11:00 - And that's a wrap! It's been an interesting show with several surprise winners. One of the more entertaining shows in recent years. Thanks for following, and have a great night.

We will be Live Blogging the Golden Globes...

...this time it'll be our own Myles Hughes handling the duties, so be sure to tune in soon!

Before the Globes get underway, check out The Awards Circuit's final Golden Globes Predictions!

They can be found here, and are a perfect tool for getting an idea of how tonight's show might very well shape up. Be sure to let us know what you think of the predictions!
-Thoughts on how the show will go down tonight?

In anticipation of tomorrow's Golden Globes...

...here's an article from Variety doing a bit of a reassessment of how the HFPA and Academy match up:

The Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. has long touted its Golden Globes Awards as being able to predict, and possibly influence, which movies and performances will be nominated for the Oscars.

Well, the math has always been on their side. With 10 slots given for best picture (when including the musical-comedy category) at the Globes and five for the Oscars, it doesn't take a physicist to figure out that many will make the cut at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

This year, though, with the Oscars expanding its best picture race to a field to 10, the Academy members' tastes and preferences will match up directly with the members of the HFPA in the number of nominees available.

Not surprisingly, many believe the group's drama nominees will cross over, while the comedies will face a tougher road.

There are certain things that Academy members have traditionally looked for in a best picture nominee," says Sony Pictures Classics co-president Michael Barker. "I'm not sure a movie like 'The Hangover' has those elements."

The HFPA's drama nominees show up on many Oscar prognosticators; lists, but of the musical-comedy selections, it's difficult to say if any of the films will make the Acad's 10.

Historically, the Globes' musical-comedy nominees have rarely found favor with Academy voters. Last year, none of the nominees made the final list, including the winner, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona." In 2007, only "Juno" broke through. And, for the remaining years of the decade, the list includes just seven musicals and comedies -- "Little Miss Sunshine," "Ray," "Sideways," "Lost in Translation," "Chicago," "Moulin Rouge" and "Chocolat."

Traditionally when you had five Oscar nominees, you'd have maybe one comedy or music-heavy movie cross over," says a veteran awards-season publicist. "This year, with 10 movies, who knows? You might get a couple of comedies, maybe an animated movie or maybe just more of the same."

Part of the great unknown is whether the expanded ballot will prompt some Academy members to change their voting philosophies.

I think it will, simply because it's human nature," says Turner Classic Movies host Ben Mankiewicz. "The smaller the list, the more careful you are. Now some will think, 'I love "Star Trek," and you know what? I'm going to put it on there.' And they can do that without feeling like they're cheating some gem."

By that logic, "Star Trek" or another critical and commercial sci-fi success, "District 9," could make the Academy's list. Other movies ignored by the HFPA that might find some Oscar love include pics such the Coen brothers' "A Serious Man," Clint Eastwood's "Invictus" the coming-of-age story "An Education" or tony period pieces such as "Bright Star" and "The Last Station."

It wasn't a particularly good year to double the size of the best picture list," observes one Academy member. "You've got some good movies, but most were largely ignored by audiences. And you've got 'Avatar.' Is there room for 'Avatar' and 'District 9' and 'Star Trek'? I just don't think voters have that kind of populist mindset."

Pixar's CG-animated adventure "Up" didn't make the HFPA's list, only because animated movies have their own category and are thus ineligible. While the Oscars have an animated movie category as well, no restrictions stop Academy voters from placing "Up" or, say, "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in the best picture category.

It has been a tremendous year for animated movies," says film critic Leonard Maltin, citing "Coraline" and "Ponyo" along with the other titles mentioned. "You can't help but think one of these films will be nominated."

One final underdog contender not nominated by the HFPA that could make the Academy's list is "Crazy Heart," featuring Jeff Bridges' down-and-out country singer Bad Blake.

People love Jeff Bridges, and that has bought the movie a lot of good will, too," says an awards insider. "Seeing it nominated this year, with a field of 10, wouldn't be at all shocking."

-Thoughts on the article/upcoming Globes?

New Predictions everywhere and an article on what the DGA might do highlight the latest updates to The Awards Circuit!

Yes, there's some very interesting new stuff to take note of. We start with new predictions in all categories. Start with Best Picture here and go all the way to Clayton's Golden Globe predictions here. Be sure to let us know how his predictions stack up with your own!
We also have a prediction/analysis article on the upcoming Director's Guild awards nominations. That article can be found here, so check it out and let us know what you think.
Finally, we're continuing to test out the New Blog, so try it out here and tell us which you prefer...
-Thoughts on the new predictions, article, and blog?

Gold Derby tries to predict the Golden Globe winners...

...and if you're curious what the group they assembled went with, you can find their picks here. I think that they spread themselves out well, and agree with them for the most part, but I think things could end up very interesting, especially if there's an upset or two.
-Thoughts?

Leo and Bobby will present Marty with his award at the Globes...

...and be those names, I mean DiCaprio, De Niro, and Scorsese. Here's what the Hollywood Foreign Press had to say:

Golden Globe winners Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio will present the Cecil B. DeMille Award to Martin Scorsese at "The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards" on Sunday, January 17. The show, hosted by Ricky Gervais, will be broadcast live coast to coast on NBC (5 to 8 pm PT, 8 to 11 pm ET) from The Beverly Hilton.

"The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards" will be seen in more than 160 countries worldwide and is one of the few awards ceremonies that span both television and motion picture achievements.

The special will be produced by dick clark productions in association with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Philip Berk is President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Orly Adelson, president of dick clark productions, and Barry Adelman will executive-produce the special. Chris Donovan is the director and Bob Bardo is the executive in charge of production.

-It'll be cool to see...

The 2009 Golden Globe Nominations are announced!

The wait is over...here they are:

Motion Picture, Drama
Avatar
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Precious
Up in the Air

Motion Picture, Comedy/Musical
500 Days of Summer
The Hangover
It’s Complicated
Julie & Julia
Nine

Actress, Drama
Emily Blunt, The Young Victoria
Sandra Bullock, The Blind Side
Helen Mirren, The Last Station
Carey Mulligan, An Education
Gabby Sidibe, Precious

Actor, Drama
Jeff Bridges, Crazy Heart
George Clooney, Up in the Air
Colin Firth, A Single Man
Morgan Freeman, Invictus
Tobey Maguire, Brothers

Actor Comedy/Musical
Matt Damon, The Informant
Daniel Day Lewis, Nine
Robert Downey Jr., Sherlock Holmes
Joseph Gordon Levitt, 500 Days of Summer
Michael Stuhlbarg, A Serious Man

Actress, Comedy/Musical
Sandra Bullock, The Proposal
Marion Cotillard, Nine
Julia Roberts, Duplicity
Meryl Streep, Julie & Julia
Meryl Streep, It’s Complicated

Director
Kathryn Bigelow, The Hurt Locker
James Cameron, Avatar
Clint Eastwood, Invictus
Jason Reitman, Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

Screenplay
Neill Blomkampt & Terri Tatchell, District 9
Mark Boal, The Hurt Locker
Nancy Meyers, It’s Complicated
Jason Reitman & Sheldon Turner, Up in the Air
Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds

Original Score
Michael Giacchino, Up
Marvin Hamlisch, The Informant
James Horner, Avatar
Abel Krozeniowski, A Single Man
Karen O. and Carter Burwell, Where the Wild Things Are

Foreign Language Film
Baria
Broken Embraces
The Maid
Un Prophete
The White Ribbon

Original Song
“Cinema Italiano,” Nine
“I Want To Come Home,” Everybody’s Fine
“I See You,” Avatar
“The Weary Kind,” Crazy Heart
“Winter,” Brothers

-'Up in the Air' led the field with 6 nods...thoughts?

Our latest update to The Awards Circuit includes Podcast #9, New Oscar Predictions everywhere, and some Golden Globe predictions!

Yes, it's another busy day, with a whole bunch of updates on the Main Page of The Awards Circuit. We start off a new Podcast, our 9th, in which we take a stab at a whole bunch of topics. It's a must-listen, so go here and listen and let us know how you liked it!
Clayton has also updated all the predictions for the Academy Awards, so go here and start with Best Picture and move on from there.
Finally, in anticipation of the Golden Globes this week, we have a final set of Globe predictions. They can be found here, so check them out and let us know what you think!
-Thoughts on the new Podcast and the new predix?

Behold the 69 Foreign Films contending for a Golden Globe nomination!

The full list can be found here, but it's essentially similar to the Oscar shortlist, just, well...with more films. The Hollywood Foreign Press tend to be a little more lenient with things, so more movies are eligible.
-Thoughts on the films the HFPA shortlisted?

Variety breaks down how Comedies (and a Musical) at the Golden Globes may predict the Oscar nominees...

It's a very interesting read, found here. The article deals with long shots and sure things, and the movies they mention are Bruno, Easy Virtue, (500) Days of Summer, Funny People, The Hangover, The Informant!, In the Loop, The Invention of Lying, It's Complicated, Julie & Julia, The Men Who Stare at Goats, Nine, A Serious Man, Up in the Air, and Where the Wild Things Are. Take note that Up in the Air is actually competing in the drama category, but other than that, it's a solid list.
-Thoughts on the article and which films have the best chances at a nomination?

The Golden Globes (along with the Oscars) will have 5 Animated Feature nominees...

Variety has the story:

The Golden Globes' animated feature category has been expanded from three to five after a vote last week by the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn.

Nominees for the newly expanded category will be announced Dec. 15 at 5 a.m. The two extra spots should afford a better opportunity to nonstudio films as well as hybrids of live action and animation.

The new rules say that any nominated film must be feature length (70 minutes or longer) and can have no more than 25% live action; if fewer than 12 films qualify, the category will revert to three nominees.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences recently confirmed that there are sufficient contenders for the Oscars' animation category this year to result in five nominees.

-Thoughts?

Martin Scorsese will get the DeMille Award at this year's Golden Globes

From Variety:

Martin Scorsese will be honored at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for his ”outstanding contribution to the entertainment field.”

The Hollywood Foreign Press has honored Scorsese in the past with two Golden Globes for best director for his work on ”The Departed” and ”Gangs of New York.” In addition to his wins, Scorsese was nommed by the HFPA for his helming skills for ”Goodfellas,” ”Casino,” ”Age of Innocence,” and ”Raging Bull,” which also earned him a screenwriting nod.

Recent Cecil B. DeMille Award recipients include Steven Spielberg, Warren Beatty, Anthony Hopkins and Michael Douglas.

Scorsese will receive the tribute at the Golden Globes on Jan. 17, which will be broadcast live on NBC.

-Congrats to him...