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Golden Globes: HBO Tops Among Networks

Jan 11, 2009  •  Post A Comment

HBO walked away the big winner among the TV networks at Sunday night’s presentation of the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards, claiming seven out of the 11 prizes in the TV categories.
30 Rock
NBC placed second with three awards for “30 Rock” and AMC scored one win for best drama, “Mad Men.”
Click here for a list of winners and nominees.
HBO’s “John Adams” won the most awards of any single TV program, taking four statues, including best mini-series, actor in a mini-series (Paul Giamatti), actress in a mini-series (Laura Linney) and supporting actor in TV series, mini-series or movie (Tom Wilkinson).
Tom Hanks, an executive producer for “Adams,” joked backstage that if it were not for John Adams and the other founding fathers, this ceremony would be the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards.
Ms. Linney told reporters winning after being a previous nominee was “fabulous.”
“This is the first time I’ve been at the winning table,” Ms. Linney said.
NBC was the second most-recognized network of the night, with three wins for “30 Rock,” taking actor wins in a comedy series for Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey, as well as comedy series.
AMC received a win with “Mad Men,” a back-to-back showing for the cable program at the Globes.
“Mad Men” won the best drama award after its first season last year, and show creator Matthew Weiner said backstage that the recognition made a “huge difference to the success of our show.”
Mr. Wiener, however, said that a decision on him being around for the show’s third season is yet to be made.
“John Adams,” “30 Rock,” and “Mad Men” repeated wins from last September’s Emmy Awards, as well.
As one of the first major awards ceremonies of the new TV season, the Globes help generate buzz for some of the upcoming TV season’s shows as well as for returning programs with winter and spring premieres.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s annual party returned to the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. to a full spectacle this year after 2008’s Writers Guild of America strike threatened to blacklist the show. That led organizers and Dick Clark Productions to scale back the ceremony to a star-starved press conference.
During his acceptance speech, “30 Rock” star Tracy Morgan gave special recognition to “my boy J.Z,” NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker, who was in attendance at the ceremony.
Backstage, Ms. Fey said the network has had a “laissez-faire” approach to the show’s production, and she hopes the awards streak will help the series “stay on the air,” referring to past low ratings that led to speculation about the show’s future at the network.
When asked about NBC’s recent decision to run Jay Leno in the 10 p.m. hour weeknights, Mr. Baldwin recognized the show would serve as Mr. Leno’s lead-in.
“Good luck, Leno!” Ms. Fey said.
In the lead drama series acting categories, an absent Gabriel Byrne won for HBO’s “In Treatment.” Anna Paquin took her first Globe for her work in the freshman HBO series “True Blood.”
Backstage Ms. Paquin spoke about her strong desire for the role, but was mum on any info for the show’s upcoming second season.
Laura Dern won for supporting actress in a TV series, mini-series or movie for her work on the film “Recount,” also on HBO.
After making the first politically themed comment of the night during her acceptance speech, Ms. Dern sent former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin well wishes for a “private” life in Alaska post-Election.
(Editor: Baumann)

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