Golden Globe Television Predictions

Best Drama Series
Will Win - The Crown
Could Win - Any of Them
Should Win - This is Us
Commentary - Globe voters love being hip and cool, and ahead of the curve. Sometimes that means they reward great first seasons of shows that don't live up to the hype, and sometimes that means that they see the breakouts, usually before the Emmys take notice. This year, we have Game of Thrones, which has yet to win, and four new shows. The HFPA might want to reward Game of Thrones at some point, so that they don't miss the opportunity, but then again, they may not care. Stranger Things and Westworld are the two shows with the most buzz, with Stranger Things probably ahead. But, I also think there is a possibility that the three genre films split a lot of those voters. This leaves This is Us and The Crown. This is Us is the bigger of the two, and would be a nice nod to NBC who continues to host the Globes. But a streaming show with class, great reviews, and a European setting? Bingo. In a surprisingly strong race, I am going with The Crown.

Best Comedy Series
Will Win - Atlanta
Could Win - black-ish, Mozart in the Jungle
Should Win - Atlanta, black-ish, or Veep
Commentary - Mozart is now old news, Veep is in that Game of Thrones Zone, and black-ish, while now new to Globe voters, might be getting a bit old for them as it makes its way through its third season. I think that FX's Atlanta is the big new critical hit of the 2016 television year, and I think that will strike a chord with Globe voters.

Best Actor in a Drama Series
Will Win - Billy Bob Thornton "Goliath"
Could Win - Rami Malek "Mr. Robot", Matthew Rhys "The Americans"
Should Win - Matthew Rhys "The Americans"
Commentary - Rhys would be great, and Malek is predicted by most folks to repeat as Mr. Robot continues to do well. But, remember the two rules of the Globes: they love stars and new shows. Goliath would be a win for Amazon, proving their streaming credentials, Thornton is a veteran and beloved star, and Goliath is a popular new show. Malek or Rhys wouldn't shock me, but I think Thornton is going to surprise.

Best Actress in a Drama Series
Will Win - Claire Foy "The Crown"
Could Win - Evan Rachel Wood "Westworld" or Winona Ryder "Stranger Things"
Should Win - Keri Russell "The Americans"
Commentary - Three new shows, three new actresses in this category. Usually the Best Drama Series takes at least one other award, and Foy is truly the definition of a breakout star who tend to do well with Globe voters.

Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Will Win - Donald Glover "Atlanta"
Could Win - Nick Nolte "Graves" and Anthony Anderson "black-ish"
Should Win - Anthony Anderson "black-ish"
Commentary - See Actress in a Drama Series above and apply to Donald Glover.

Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Will Win - Issa Rae "Insecure"
Could Win - Sarah Jessica Parker "Divorce"
Should Win - Issa Rae "Insecure"
Commentary - The last two winners are in the category, all lead actresses of underappreciated shows. I have this hunch that Sarah Jessica Parker, despite average reviews for Divorce, is such a Globes darling that she wins once again. But if their trends continue, then look for the awesome Issa Rae to take it instead.

Best TV Movie/Limited Series
Will Win - The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Could Win - The Night Of or The Night Manager
Should Win - The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story
Commentary - A shocker if it doesn't win.

Best Actor in a TV Movie/Limited Series
Will Win - Tom Hiddleston "The Night Manager"
Could Win - Courtney B. Vance "The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story"
Should Win - Courtney B. Vance "The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story"
Commentary - I don't think that O.J. is going to sweep, because sweeps rarely happen at the Globes. Unfortunately, it looks like Vance may be the one that misses out. Tom Hiddleston is quickly becoming a superstar, AMC is a popular network for these voters, and I think they will want to give The Night Manager something.

Best Actress in a TV Movie/Limited Series
Will Win - Sarah Paulson "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story"
Could Win - Riley Keough "The Girlfriend Experience"
Should Win - Sarah Paulson "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story"
Commentary - Paulson though feels like this is her to lose. Keough is the big new talent, but I don't know if she has enough support to overcome Paulson as Marcia Clark.

Best Supporting Actor
Will Win - John Lithgow "The Crown"
Could Win - Really any of the rest
Should Win - Sterling K. Brown "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story"
Commentary - Brown or Travolta could ride the O.J. wave (or cancel each other out), Hugh Laurie is popular among these voters, and Slater won last year. But after winning the Critics Choice Award, and The Crown being so popular with the HFPA, I think Lithgow is about to go on a Slater-like sweep of these winter awards.

Best Supporting Actress
Will Win - Thandie Newton "Westworld"
Could Win - Chrissy Metz "This is Us"
Should Win - Chrissy Metz "This is Us"
Commentary - I love Metz in This is Us, and Globe voters really might throw a bone to the broadcast group, but Newton is probably HBO's best chance to win for the new hit Westworld, and I think they make sure that network does not go home empty-handed.