As published on etalk.ca

January 4, 2018

Your 2018 Golden Globes questions answered

We're now several days into the new year, which means it's time to leave the holidays behind us and focus on what's important: awards season.

Things kick off with the 75th Golden Globe Awards, hosted by Seth Meyers. Here's everything you need to know as the best in film and TV are feted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. 

When and where do I watch?

Perhaps most importantly: Watch the Golden Globes live Sunday January 7 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CTV and CTV GO. And don't miss etalk's red carpet coverage, Monday January 8 at 7 p.m. ET on CTV.

Who's nominated? 

The Shape of Water leads the movie categories with seven nominations, followed by The Post and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri with six and Lady Bird with four. Big Little Lies leads the TV field with six nominations, followed by Feud: Bette and Joan with four.

As for who wasn't nominated? Where do we start...

Who's going to be there?

In a room full of A-listers up for awards, the stars set to take the stage to present include Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie, Emma Stone, Kit Harington, Emilia Clarke, Halle Berry, Gal Gadot, Penelope Cruz, Hugh Grant, Chris Hemsworth, Isabelle Huppert, Amy Poehler, Seth Rogen, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sharon Stone, Alicia Vikander and Kerry Washington.

Yes, Brad Pitt's famous exes Jen and Angie will be in the same room, though we're not holding our breath for any joint onstage antics.

First-time presenter Kelly Clarkson, meanwhile, is excited to finally get her due from the HFPA.

What can we expect from the red carpet?

A whole lot of black. Female and male stars have committed to wearing all-black as a reflection of solidarity and protest against the onslaught of sexual assault recently revealed in Hollywood. Nominees including Jessica Chastain, Meryl Streep and Emma Stone are reportedly participating, as are Dwayne Johnson, Tom Hiddleston and Armie Hammer.

What does Seth Meyers have in store?

A celebratory night for winners and nominees, that also doesn't shy away from essential conversations about sexual assault and harassment in Hollywood.

"One of the things we do on our show every night is we talk about the things in the world that people are talking about, and we will do the same on Sunday," he tells our Chloe Wilde. "Especially for the women who did work this year and now we realize they did it in an environment that was worse than we ever knew, you want to make sure you celebrate the great work."

Might young hollywood take the stage with a win?

It's certainly possible at the historically less-stuffy Globes! Among this year's 25-and-under nominees are Baby Driver's Ansel Elgort (23), Call Me By Your Name's Timothee Chalamet (22) and 13 Reasons Why's Katherine Langford (21). 

Are there any Canadians to cheer for? 

But of course! Eric McCormack returns to the Globes with a nomination for the Will & Grace revival. Meanwhile, Christopher Plummer is up for his role in All the Money in the World, after replacing Kevin Spacey last minute. 

Big Little Lies, directed by Montreal's Jean-Marc Vallee, Alberta-shot series Fargo, and Toronto-shot The Handmaid's Tale, based on the Margaret Atwood novel, are all up for trophies. As is The Breadwinner, a Canadian co-production produced by Angelina Jolie, nominated in the animated feature category. 

Who's a lock to win?

With the Globes kicking off awards season, some of these races are too close to call. But one thing's for certain: Oprah Winfrey will take the stage to accept the Cecil B. DeMille Award for her incredible impact on the world of entertainment. As HFPA president Meher Tatna says, Oprah is "one of the most respected and admired figures today" and "one of the most influential women of our time." We dare you to find someone that disagrees.

Is 'Big Little Lies' really a 'limited series'?

No one's debating the award merit of HBO's Big Little Lies, though some cried foul when its season two pickup was announced after Globes nomination voting closed, subsequently dominating the limited series categories.

Here's how HBO explains it: “Big Little Lies was conceived, produced, and aired as a limited series... The idea to continue the story came about only after the show aired. None of the cast or filmmakers had holdover contracts. Each deal had to be renegotiated, which is proof that no ongoing series was contemplated. Additionally, no source material beyond Liane Moriarty’s novel existed. The accusation that HBO was ‘gaming the system’ is baseless and undeserved.”

So there.

Who is Miss Golden Globe?

Keep your eyes peeled for Dwayne Johnson's daughter Simone Garcia Johnson ushering stars offstage come Sunday. And to be accurate: this year the HFPA renamed the role Golden Globe Ambassador. Perhaps she can get tips from nominee Laura Dern, who assumed the position in 1982. 

Don't miss the 75th Golden Globe Awards Sunday Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CTV.