SAG Nominations: Surprising, Silly, Shame-less
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 9:25AM 
Regina King and Judy Greer announced the SAG nominees
Before we begin can I get something off my chest. You've possibly noticed that I always list actresses before actors when I do lists or my own awardage. Beyond my own actressexuality there is another reason for this. It galls me that they're listed second everywhere as if they're just slightly less important than actors. Now, you might say that's just a matter of alphabetics since "Actor" comes before "Actress" in correct alphabetization and that's true enough. But it's not only alphabetics, its our lazily sexist society. Please to note that SAG makes a point of calling all acting professionals "actors" without gender division and yet they do this and then STILL list men first even though "female" comes before "male" in correct alphabetization of category titles.
Grrrrr and also "girl!"
So women first when I list it because that's how we like it!
MOVIES
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
- The Artist
- Bridesmaids
- The Descendants
- The Help
- Midnight In Paris
These are strong nominees this year but as usual they left great actors out, even when their films were nominated. Some comments on that problem in a separate post.
One theory of SAG ensemble voting is that actors vote for the movies that they wish they'd been in and that theory definitely holds up this year. All five of these sets must have been a blast when you think of the actors involved, the costumes, the color, the comedy (all five have comedic spirit even the two that are dramas).
It's also worth noting that this list is 80% identical to the BFCA list for ensemble. The only difference is you need to swap out Midnight in Paris for Ides of March. Still... it's clear that voters don't watch the more under the radar movies. I wish A Separation had opened a few months ago and built up to the acclaim it so deserves.
How fun would a win for Bridesmaids be as a ceremony capper? I demand a Wilson Phillips song be played when they take the stage should it occur.
COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES & MAJOR SURPRISES AFTER THE JUMP.
I'll get to my annual gripe / discussion of the ensemble category later today. But congratulations to Judy Greer on her Ensemble SAG Nomination. We've just interviewed her and she's very flattered to be included in the awards race for such a well received film.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
- Glenn Close, Albert Nobbs
- Viola Davis, The Help
- Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
- Tilda Swinton, We Need To Talk About Kevin
- Michelle Williams, My Week
Best Moment of Entire Announcement: Regina King (♥) saying "We Need to Talk About Kevin" like a line reading rather than a movie title. Hee.
INTERESTING NOTE: Though the SAG nominating committee largely ignored December releases and one week qualifiers (good on them. Studios MUST stop trying to be "last"... it's anti-audience!) they did stump for those with significant headstarts like Close, Streep and Swinton. Close & Swinton's films have been screening for awhile as far back as Cannes in Swinton's case. Streep could show up on NY's Eve after ballots are already turned in and still make alist. You know voters leave space for her well before they've seen the performance. Oh, you know it's true. Reputation helps in balloting since you don't have to fight at all to get your name in the conversation.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
- Demian Bichir, A Better Life
- George Clooney, The Descendants
- Leonardo DiCaprio, J Edgar
- Jean Dujardin, The Artist
- Brad Pitt, Moneyball
SURPRISE! Demian Bichir had a very good year with the acclaim for his work in A Better Life (see our converation here) and now he's a SAG nominee.
SNUBS! This list again shows that voters made up their minds before the December madhouse. Note the preferencing of DiCaprio's performance over any of the late buzz bloomers (Fassy, Shannon, Harrelson, etcetera)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
- Jessica Chastain, The Help
- Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
- Janet McTeer, Albert Nobbs
- Octavia Spencer, The Help
Surprise! SAG voters historically like young to very young actresses more than Oscar but they left out Shailene Woodley's work in The Descendants. They also left out Vanessa Redgrave's towering work in Coriolanus which indicates that one-week qualifiers just don't cut it. Or that they weren't in the mood to watch a Shakespeare tragedy from that huge stack of screeners.
What does this mean for Oscar? It's tough to say. Jessica Chastain is still being cited for other performances in critics awards and could theoretically still split her votes. Woodley & Redgrave can't be counted out for Oscar given their film and their legend, respectively. We shall see. But this is very bad news AGAIN for Carey Mulligan's riveting work in Shame which can't seem to find traction.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- Kenneth Branagh, My Week With Marilyn
- Armie Hammer, J Edgar
- Jonah Hill, Moneyball
- Nick Nolte, Warrior
- Christopher Plummer, Beginners
Surprise! Even while buried in unflattering "I'm 200 years old!" latex, the Screen Actors Guild is very excited to welcome beautiful Armie into their ranks. Less surprising are the citations for Jonah Hill and Nick Nolte given their film and their actors actor reps respectively. But the snub of Albert Brooks is interesting and I'm sure some will find it horrifying.
What does this mean for Oscar? Maybe nothing. But then again beyond the Brooks vs. Plummer lifetime achievement battle that category does look suspiciously unformed. Can't wait to see what happens tomorrow at the Globe nominations!
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
- The Adjustment Bureau
- Cowboys & Aliens
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
- Transformers Dark of the Moon
- X-Men First Class
What, no DRIVE, which exactly involves a stuntman? Ah well. These seem like solid choices though we readily admit ignorance about what is difficult and what is not in stuntwork, especially when so much CGI is involved in these nominees.
TELEVISION
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A DRAMA SERIES
- Boardwalk Empire
- Breaking Bad
- Dexter
- Game of Thrones
- The Good Wife
I still can't get over how long we've had to go without Mad Men. I weep. I smoke. I pour myself a vodka tonic.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE IN A COMEDY SERIES
- 30 Rock
- The Big Bank Theory
- Glee
- Modern Family
- The Office
Are SAG voters illiterate? Sound out the words "outstanding" "performance" "ensemble" and "in" "a" "comedy" or "series" You can do it. It sounds just like Parks & Recreation. Ignoring that show in THIS category is as stupid as anything I've ever seen in awards voting and I mean that in the least hyperbolic way possible. It's just plain idiocy.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
- Kathy Bates, Harry's Law
- Glenn Close, Damages
- Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
- Julianna Marguiles, The Good Wife
- Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Look, I love Kathy Bates but she is sleepwalking through that show. At least in the episodes I've witnessed which were thankfully few. Glenn Close is a double nominee this year, huh? I'm sure fans of AHS are glad to see Jessica Lange's batshit crazy work here. But where is ____________ insert your gripe in the comments!
Was REVENGE eligible? If so where the hell is Madelein Stowe who is giving the best performance I've seen in a night time soap since the genre's 80s heyday.
Remember when Coach Taylor won the Emmy? LOVED.OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
- Patrick J Adams, Suits
- Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
- Kyle Chandler, Friday Night Lights
- Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
- Michael C Hall, Dexter
The usual suspects plus newbies Adams & Chandler. I don't even know what "Suits" is. It sounds like a procedural or a monk-style comedy. runnnnnnn.
If only that Emmy win had come earlier for Chandler, that series might have had more trophies.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
- Julie Bowen, Modern Famiy
- Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
- Tina Fey, 30 Rock
- Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
- Betty White, Hot in Cleveland
The only dumpee is Glee's Jane Lynch from last year's list and you can hardly blame them for that. Glee would be a stronger show if it dumped Sue Sylvester altogether. That's a one joke character and the joke was REALLY funny for one season. Now, not so much.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
- Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
- Ty Burrell, Modern Family
- Steve Carell, The Office
- Jon Cryer, Two
- Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family
Chris Colfer is another Glee dropout signalling that the love affair is ending between the world and that show.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINISERIES
- Diane Lane, Cinema Verite
- Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
- Emily Watson, Appropriate
- Betty White, The Lost Valentine
- Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Expect Kate to triumph again... unless SAG needs their Betty White moment annually.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR IN A TELEVISION MOVIE OR MINISERIES
- Laurence Fishburne, Thurgood Marshall
- Paul Giamatti, Too Big To Fail
- Greg Kinnear, The Kennedys
- Guy Pearce, Mildred Pierce
- James Woods, Too Big To Fail
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A STUNT ENSEMBLE IN A TELEVISION SERIES
- Dexter
- Game of Thrones
- Southland
- Spartacus: Gods of the Arena
- True Blood
I think few viewers have caught on that they've added stunt categories. Maybe they weren't in the actual broadcast last year? I can't recall. But three of these are repeat nominees with Spartacus and newbie Game of Throne shoving out Burn Notice and CSI:NY. I love True Blood so much but I'm guessing this is Game of Thrones to lose.
Related Post: BEST ENSEMBLE... Except You!
Reader Comments (88)
What about the cast of Community for best comedy ensemble, they rank up there with the work from Modern Family and P&R. Such a shame that show is not getting any awards love.
It's not looking good for Redgrave at the moment is it ?
I agree RJ-we spend years and years complaining about Oscar being biased against this or that, but when he actually pays attention to a comedy or a superhero film or a genre piece or a neglected actor, there's still something else to complain about. Oscar is the boyfriend that just can never win.
The Supporting Actress category makes me smile: The rise of comedy in an acting field! Seriously, four out of five of those (Spencer, McCarthy, Chastain, Bejo) are mainly comedic roles. I'm just surprised that the one dramatic performance honored was McTeer as opposed to Redgrave.
On the question of Revenge, my guess is that it was eligible for submission, since Jessica Lange got nominated for American Horror Story (YES!!!!), but the question is whether or not it was submitted.
And Nathaniel, I think the whole "Actor" thing is because the award is called The Actor. That strikes me as a branding thing. It could also be seen as a feminist thing that they are all referred to as actors, whether male or female. But, yeah, the preference given to the men all goes back to the days when there were no female actors because it was deemed improper or whatever. Blame the Brits!
Quality of perormance aside, I love that Winslet, Streep, Swinton and M. Smith are nominees!
No Drive or The Ides of March. No love for Ryan Gosling.
Last time the Oscar's Best Picture winner wasn't nominated for SAG's Best Ensemble award: Never! So I guess the Oscar will go to The Artist? (Or The Descendants?)
It's also interesting to note that the last three movies to win the musical/comedy category at the Golden Globes that went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture - didn't win Best Director: Shakespeare in Love, Chicago and Driving Miss Daisy (hilarious! wasn't it?).
Isn't in nice that FOUR out of five nominees in the Best Actress category are over 40, three are over 50 and two are over 60?! I mean, when was the last time something like that happened in the lead actress category? There is noone under 30.
It usually happens with the men, but in the women categories they often have young and hot things rather than esteemed older actresses. Great to see Close and Streep reunited in a category again after their share of nominations in the 80s.
This year is very exciting mess up and so unpredictable than last season. By this time last year, everyone had already knows who's a lock for winning. I mean right on the button.
Still not commenting on movies because I haven't seen most of them, but to TV. One of the worst set of nominations they could come up with. Agree about your Comedy Ensemble observation. Ridiculous (I mean, Glee, GLEE was nominated). And where's Poehler? And Offerman? And I would definitely put Adam Scott before Stonestreet, Burrell, Cryer.
But where is ____________
Claire Danes
Margo Martindale
Missing Mad Men as well :(
Nat, I told you Leonardo is getting an Oscar nom.
I loved Bridesmaids.....but really??? Did The Hangover get this much "award" love?
McCarthy could be the #1 choice of the 5 and I would not be surprised. She's been getting crazy love all year long, and there's not exactly a frontrunner in this category. I'm super glad Bridesmaids is getting so much play... I love me some women in comedy. I'd be pretty shocked if it didn't get 3 more nominations at the globes. And I think McCarthy could very easily win the GG or the SAG or both.
Is this the first time the SAG noms came before the globes? How did I not know this was happening? Crazy.
And finally, Nat, SAG could have its annual Betty White moment by giving her TV comedy actress and still give Winslet the miniseries win. I'm guessing that's what they do.
Ummmm actually yes The Hangover WON the GG for comedy, and it was about 100 times better. Go, Bridesmaids!
Gary Oldman?
Thomas Horn?
Max Von Sydow?
Claire Danes?
I of course meant that Bridesmaids is 100x better than The Hangover. I pretty much hated The Hangover...
You can't compare Redgrave to McCarthy. Redgrave is a legend and reportedly gives a jawdropping performance. McCarthy might have been in a comedy, but most of the dialogue that's on screen was improvised. If you see "The Making of Bridesmaids", you see some scenes going on for FIVE hours where the actresses just go for it and make everything up. They just had to stick to a basic scene layout but could then do whatever they wanted. They should all be commended. Maybe a lot of actresses give deeper and more heartbreaking performances than the Bridesmaids girls, but they should be commended for making up THEIR OWN DIALOGUE as they filmed and succeeding in making it as funny as it was. It's NOT easy improvising and getting it right. And they all did.
I'm not saying that McCarthy is better than all other nominees at the moment, but she did something unique with that character. And just because it's a comedy doesn't mean it's not hard - to be cold/evil/crazy/over the top is the easiest thing. Being funny or really earnest is the hard thing.
Bottom line: You can't compare the performances. Just because something makes you cry, makes you scared or touches you, doesn't mean that the acting is better than if something really makes you laugh. That's why we have so many successful stage actors compared to stand-up comedians. Because being funny is NOT easy. (unless you're Jim Carrey, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell - then you just have to SHOUT out every line and people laugh - I don't understand why)
TILDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK..The Hangover got the Golden Globe and maybe the MTV award.....i was thinking more Academy award and critic love...I do not remember The Hangover being the critical darling that Bridesmaids seems to be becoming....
Regardless..if even nominated....an Oscar win is out of the question for a comedic and raunchy performance such as McCarthy...and I loved her performance...Oscar will go with a more safer and predictable choice...
And...if we are going to include Bridesmaids for a Best Picture Academy Award (which looks very wierd to me as I type that)...I cannot believe that it will also be the same year Harry Potter would have been excluded..... just my opinion
On a happier note...looks like Meryl will get ther 17th nomination :)
what's up with this increasing online hate towards mccarthy? and people saying they would rather see byrne nominated? is it because melissa is not 'f*ckable' enough? or because "fat people being funny is not a stretch"? i don't get it. (i haven't even seen her picture, but i feel the need to defend her.)
sure we all have a crush on rose byrne, but since "bridesmaids" was released i keep hearing people talking about mccarthy, so she's definitly a standout in that picture (she even won a emmy for it rs), and her nomination is not something to be enraged about.
whoa...nothing against McCarthy....I love her..love the performance..but let me ask you this....
When was the last time an actor or actress was nominated for a funny( bordering on infantile humor and poop jokes) performance nominated for an Academy Award? That is all. Yes, comic performance have been nominated in the past but I think the content is a factor with Oscar....
In a way, I'm kind of glad Mad Men has been off for over year because it will make people appreciate just how amazing that show makes TV.
jamie,
my comment wasn't against yours (sorry that it seemed that way). you were mainly discussing mccarthy's chances.
the "online hate" i'm refering is mostly from the commenters (and even writer) of another site.
and being a HP fan, i would also rather if it got nominated instead of bridesmaids.
God. It's awful. I said before that if Redgrave and Oldman are snubbed, then something is definitely wrong in this oscar race. And it's happening. *sigh*
So, say hello to "Academy Award nominee Melissa McCarthy" but goodbye to "still not Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman". All is perfectly well in the world.
I don’t even know anymore what Oldman has to do to get recognized. Not only he has been snubbed his entire career, but even now. I mean, Tinker was in the top 10 of the best rated films at the BFCA, it was like the best reviewed on Metacritic, he got raves reviews, he is crazily overdue, and the movie was a commercial success in UK. If it was anyone else in his place, he would be totally locked. But it’s Oldman, and for some obscure reason, the same laws don’t apply. There has always been some real bias against him.
At this point, I have this desperate wish that both Redgrave and Oldman win at the BAFTA and NSFC, to kick the ass of some of this nods.
No Fassbender, Oldman, Gosling, Shannon, Redgrave, Mulligan, Woodley, Brooks, Kinglsey, Von Sydow, Oswalt, Theron, Olsen. The race is all over the place. Part of this is exciting of course (the others years are so boring) but I'm sad to not see some of the truly best performances of the year getting a proper recognition.
I hope Dicaprio will pull a Cate Blanchett's disgusted face for his oscar clip. You know you don't deserve to be here, dear.
When did a new Philip pop up on here? haha.
Anyway, soooooooo muchhhhh wronggggg with thisssssssssssss.
No Olsen!!!!!! :/ That really sucks. No Theron!!!!! Ugh. I still hope the Glenn and Tilda spots open up for them.
Ew @ whoever compared Melissa McCarthy's amazing comedic performance in Bridesmaids to an equally amazing, but completely different dramatic performance. Just stop. All I can say to you is 'ew.'
I'm so happy for Melissa. She's looking more and more like an Oscar nominee each day. We shall see....
Thank you RJ!
And why is everyone complaining about Glee being nominated? I thought that backlash was over? It was only nominated in the Ensemble category, for crying out loud! And I think everyone on that show gives a worthy performance. Not to mention season 3 is definitely an improvement from the atrocious season 2. Or have you just stopped watching and just assumed it's still bad....?
Will Naya River ever get any love? She's the reason I watch Glee.
Anywho, the TV nominations are pretty gross too. Ugh. When will this Betty White love affair end? I love her as much as the next person, but come on. Ugh....
Gosh, there's so much to say about these nominations....truly disappointing.
I liked Bridesmaids enough to appreciate McCarthy's performance, but to me it's not a question of comedic vs. dramatic performances, but about how many layers, notes there were in that part/performance. Just in the same movie Rose Byrne pulled off a more complex character. And btw, hasn't she (Byrne) had a Jessica Chastain like year, being in many different things? Why isn's she more talked about? Anyway, she's got Damages, I guess.
I also wonder how the people nominated in almost everything take weeks like this one. Take Dujardin, for instance. I haven't followed all the critics nominations, awards, runner ups, close seconds (!) and whatnot, but for someone like him, who's new to this game, what it must be like to be mentioned in all those lists. Maybe he keeps a chart in his hotel room* and crosses the nominations and ticks the wins? Even if it's just to keep track ot the events he'll have to attend in the following weeks. And there's still the GG nominations coming, I don't know how you guys do it, either.
*That's just how I picture actors during awards season, all dressed up in hotel bedrooms waiting for the next red carpet, interview, premiere or awards show.
The best actor line up is pure Hollywood glam. So boring! Am
I the only one that thinks Clooney is overrated? He is the male version of Julia Roberts
I wonder how many of the actual SAG members did vote this year?
LOVE Tilda, Close, McCarthy, Plummer, HP8 sort of nom, Bridesmaids
No SouthLAnd? What the heck? I know no one watches it, but it's brilliant and between Shawn Hatosy, Michael Cudlitz, Ben McKenzie, and Regina King, there are plenty of nominations they SHOULD be getting.
Nanda: The Big Bang Theory here is the real big issue. It's a good, not great, show, but that status is almost entirely reliant on Jim Parsons. The person who suggested Community: Good choice.
I do have to say that this awards season is a lot more fun to watch because it's a lot less predictable than any of these past years where it seemed to be the same 20 nominees over and over, give or take maybe one.
This was such a good year for acting (though unfortunately a few shitty performances seem to still seep through)!
There are so many candidates in each category!
ACTRESS
Davis
Streep
Williams
Theron
Swinton
Olsen
Dunst
ACTOR
Clooney
Pitt
DiCaprio
Dujardin
Fassbender
Oldman
Shannon
Gosling
Harrelson
SUPP. ACTRESS
Spencer
Bejo
McCarthy
Woodley
Chastain
Redgrave
McTeer
Mulligan
Bullock
...You get the point. I obviously have my favorites that I want to get in, but I appreciate this season right now for being so fun and unpredictable!!! It's exciting and fresh.
*Shit I forgot to add Close to the Actress list too. Right above Swinton.
Just a heads up:
MERYL STREEP will be giving a rare television interview on 60 Minutes (for those of you in the US) this Sunday evening, December 18.
^ I guess she realizes she really has a chance to win, so she's gonna campaign.
I love Meryl, Michelle, and Viola and I want them all to have Oscars, but I really want this to be Viola's year. She gave a stunning performance in The Help, and I think it's about time another black woman won Best Actress since we already missed out on Gabby for a more mediocre performance a few years ago.
Wow, this list is actually pretty embarrassing.
YAY for Ms. Close! She's back in.
There are already 80 plus comments about the SAG films, but I can’t believe you don’t know what SUITS is. It’s a great series. Sharp acting and tight script. It got 8.9 on IMDB plus Gina Torres has never been better.
Mikhael -- i watch more tv than i used to but i still don't know what 2/3rds of the things people talk about are. I find it very overwhelming (tv)... so many nights of the week. so many stations. how do people keep track of it?!?
Suits is a great show. Watch at least five minutes of it before you ridicule it.
NO CLAIRE DANES? That's some bullshit, plain and simple SAGs.
Can't say much of anything good about the television nods. Mad Men needs to come back on like now. The love for Breaking Bad is good, but no Aaron Paul or Giancarlo Esposito reeks.
On the film side of things, I can cheer on the nods for The Help and The Descandants. If I were allowed to see The Artist, I could support that too, since it looks like my kind of film. No Shailene Woodley is bad, Don't know what to make of Jonah Hill (seriously?) and Armie Hammer. I think that's our five in lead actress. If Mara hasn't been screened yet, then I see her taking Swinton's spot. Glenn Close is back in the race! And I hope that Melissa McCarthy makes it all the way to the Oscars! It's bad enough that Kristen Wiig doesn't have a prayer for a nod in lead actress, so at least recognize McCarthy! Wiig has original screenplay though.
The Globes better rectify some of these god-awful SAG nods, please.
What is everyone saying "NO CLAIRE DANES??!!?!!??!??!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!" for?
She was nominated and won last year for Temple Grandin..........
or is there something I'm missing?
Philip: I'm assuming they're referring to Homeland.