Media Mike's Archive

MEDIA MIKE (AND YOU, GENTLE READER) VOTES FOR THE SAG AWARDS

If there is one thing Media Mike hates more than fat-free bacon, it is the endless parade of awards shows. From the Golden Globes to the Grammys, the Emmy to Oscar, it never seems to end. I stop watching the Academy Awards after "Terms of Endearment" won Best Picture. Now, Oscar night is my favorite night to go the movies, especially in LA, where every fringe wannabe is hosting a party. I subscribe to the George C. Scott theory that actors are not meant to be in a competition like horses.

Sadly, six years ago, my union, The Screen Actors Guild, started the SAG Awards. The show had high hopes, airing the first couple of years on NBC, but due to low ratings it was soon exiled to the cable station TNT. Instead of killing it and concentrated on getting their union members a fair commercial contract, SAG presses on. Of course, in bold letters at the bottom of the ballot it states "NO DUES MONEY IS SPENT ON THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AWARDS." Yeah, right.

This year, the show will air on Sunday, March 12 and Media Mike is opening up his ballot to the fine randlemanland.com readers. I will tally up the votes and that will be the ballot I submit. I hope you take this responsibilty as seriously as I do. There are 13 catagories and I will give you my selection in each, but my vote is just one voice and I can be, and expected to be shouted down.

We start first with the movies:

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a MALE ACTOR in a Lead Role:

Jim Carrey, MAN ON THE MOON; Russell Crowe, THE INSIDER; Philip Seymour Hoffman, FLAWLESS; Kevin Spacey, AMERICAN BEAUTY; Denzel Washington, HURRICANE.

This is a close call between Crowe and Spacey. Carrey was a great Andy Kaufman clone, but I never felt we got below the surface. Hoffman is a great actor, but this nomination is not even in left field. I felt that Washington phoned it in. MEDIA MIKE'S PICK---Kevin Spacey

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a FEMALE ACTOR in a Lead Role:

Annette Bening, AMERICAN BEAUTY; Janet McTeer, TUMBLEWEEDS; Julianne Moore, THE END OF THE AFFAIR; Meryl Streep, MUSIC OF THE HEART; Hilary Swank, BOYS DON'T CRY.

Meryl Streep's nomination is a joke. That movie blew. McTeer was passable. Moore, uh, didn't see it. That leaves Bening (who rocked) and Swank. Despite the movie playing fast and loose with the facts, MEDIA MIKE'S PICK---Hilary Swank

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a MALE ACTOR in a Supporting Role:

Michael Caine, THE CIDER HOUSE RULES; Chris Cooper, AMERICAN BEAUTY; Tom Cruise MAGNOLIA; Michael Clarke Duncan, THE GREEN MILE; Haley Joel Osment, THE SIXTH SENSE.

First of all, Eddie Murphy was robbed. His dual role in "Bowfinger" is one of the funniest in a long while. Next, I don't believe in giving kids acting awards, so sorry Haley. I don't think Michael Duncan's performace was even the best supporting role in his movie, the guy who played the bad guard was much better. There is not a dimes difference between the other three, so because I liked his work in "Lone Star," MEDIA MIKE'S PICK---Chris Cooper

Good god. I just realized that "Baby Geniuses" is on HBO, hold on while I change the channel to Mexican wrestling.....Back

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a FEMALE ACTOR in a Supporting Role:

Cameron Diaz, BEING JOHN MALKOVICH; Angelina Jolie, GIRL, INTERRUPTED; Catherine Keener, BEING JOHN MALKOVICH; Julianne Moore MAGNOLIA; Chloe Sevigny, BOYS DON'T CRY

Keener got all the press, but I was more impressed by Diaz. But in the end, this one is not close. MEDIA MIKE'S PICK--Chloe Sevigny

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by the CAST of a MOTION PICTURE FEMALE ACTOR

AMERICAN BEAUTY; BEING JOHN MALKOVICH; MAGNOLIA; THE CIDER HOUSE RULES; THE GREEN MILE.

The two best movies that I saw last year....Topsy-Turvy and Being John Malkovich. One is nominated, one is not. MEDIA MIKE'S PICK--Being John Malkovich.

TELEVISON PROGRAMS

The first two are bogus awards. I feel SAG added them to make sure some big name talent shows up. I mean who watches tv movies, for heaven sakes. But, still we vote.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a MALE ACTOR in a Televison Movie or Miniseries:

Hank Azaria, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE; Peter Fonda, THE PASSION OF AYN RAND; Jack Lemmon, TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE; George C. Scott, INHERIT THE WIND; Patrick Stewart, A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

In the tradition of Peter Finch and one big name star that won't be there, MEDIA MIKE'S PICK--General Patton, himself....the great George C. Scott, RIP

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a FEMALE ACTOR in a Televison Movie or Miniseries:

Kathy Bates, ANNIE; Halle Berry, INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE; Judy Davis, A COOLER CLIMATE; Sally Field, A COOLER CLIMATE; Helen Mirren, THE PASSION OF AYN RAND.

I did NOT see any of these. Yet, I vote... MEDIA MIKE'S PICK--Judy Davis, because she is great.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a MALE ACTOR in a Drama Series:

David Duchovny, THE X-FILES; Dennis Franz, NYPD BLUE; James Gandolfini, THE SOPRANOS; Rick Schroder, NYPD BLUE, Martin Sheen, THE WEST WING.

It doesn't seem fair to pit cable shows against network show. But they do and this is no contest... MEDIA MIKE'S PICK--James Gandolfini.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a FEMALE ACTOR in a Drama Series:

Gillian Anderson, THE X-FILE; Lorraine Bracco, THE SOPRANOS; Edie Falco, THE SOPRANOS; Nancy Marchard, THE SOPRANOS; Annie Potts, ANY DAY NOW.

Three "Sopranos" in one category spell a spilt vote, but the one that sticks in my mind...MEDIA MIKE'S PICK-- Lorraine Bracco.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a MALE ACTOR in a Comedy Series:

Michael J. Fox, SPIN CITY; Kelsey Grammer, FRASIER; Peter MacNicol, ALLY MCBEAL, David Hyde Pierce, FRASIER, Ray Romano, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND.

I don't think "Spin City" is that funny. "Frasier" is in its second straight off season. I hate "Ally McBeal." But like everyone else I love...MEDIA MIKE'S PICK--Ray Romano.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a FEMALE ACTOR in a Comedy Series:

Calista Flockhart, ALLY MCBEAL; Lisa Kudrow, FRIENDS; Lucy Liu, ALLY MCBEAL; Sarah Jessica Parker, SEX IN THE CITY; Tracey Ullman, TRACEY TAKES ON.

No contest...MEDIA MIKE'S PICK--Lisa Kudrow.

I don't think "Spin City" is that funny. "Frasier" is in its second straight off season. I hate "Ally McBeal." But like everyone else I love...MEDIA MIKE'S PICK--Ray Romano.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a ENSEMBLE in a Drama Series:

ER; LAW & ORDER; NYPD BLUE; THE PRACTICE; THE SOPRANOS

Fugetaboutit...MEDIA MIKE'S PICK--The Sopranos.

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE by a ENSEMBLE in a Comedy Series:

ALLY MCBEAL; EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND; FRASIER; FRIENDS; SPORTS NIGHT.

Since my two favorite shows were not nominated, "That 70s Show" and "Freaks and Geeks." I go with my third favorite...MEDIA MIKE'S PICK--Everybody Loves Raymond.

Okay, those are my votes. But, remember, majority rules. Send your votes by email to Randlemanland.com. Votes have to be in by midnight, Sunday, March 5. No wagering. Till next time.

Media Mike