First Golden Globe Television Predictions: TV Movie/Mini and Supporting Categories

Best Made for Television Movie/Miniseries
American Horror Story: Coven
Behind the Candelabra
Burton and Taylor
Phil Spector
Top of the Lake

Best Actor in a TV Movie/Miniseries
Matt Damon "Behind the Candelabra"
Michael Douglas "Behind the Candelabra"
Idris Elba "Luther"
Al Pacino "Phil Spector"
Dominic West "Burton and Taylor"

Best Actress in a TV Movie/Miniseries
Helena Bonham Carter "Burton and Taylor"
Jessica Lange "American Horror Story: Coven"
Laura Linney "The Big C Hereafter"
Elisabeth Moss "Top of the Lake"
Helen Mirren "Phil Spector"

Best Supporting Actress
Kathy Bates "American Horror Story: Coven"
Anna Gunn "Breaking Bad"
Sarah Paulson "American Horror Story: Coven"
Maggie Smith "Downton Abbey"
Sofia Vergara "Modern Family"

Best Supporting Actor
Peter Dinklage "Game of Thrones"
Mandy Patinkin "Homeland"
Aaron Paul "Breaking Bad"
Eric Stonestreet "Modern Family"
Jon Voight "Ray Donovan"

Commentary - The supporting categories are always a crap shoot, you never know which way they are going to go. So I am kind of guessing based on previous nominations, star power, and luck. However, the lead categories in the TV Movie/Mini category are a bit easier to pick. We know that Douglas and Damon are probably unstoppable, and Pacino's name alone should be an easy pick. The last two slots are a bit tricky. Idris Elba didn't make it in last year, but this year's crop is a bit thin, so he is definitely a possibility. Unlike the failed Liz and Dick, the British production Burton and Taylor got pretty decent reviews and the names of Dominic West (and Helena Bonham Carter), add some international flavor, and so far it seems that it is the only major addition since summer that is worth anything. On the actress side, there is Carter, the obvious choices of Lange, Mirren, Moss, and Linney. Of course the Globes know how to throw a curveball (which is why I am not spending too much time or energy on the supporting categories), so watch out. Last year, AHS did not make it in, due to lots of competition. But I think this year, Coven will make the cut along with the obvious frontrunner of Behind the Candelabra. Phil Spector has HBO and star power, Top of the Lake has international appeal and the critics on it side, and Burton and Taylor is the new shiny thing to dangle in front of voter's faces. /