By Olivia Brightbill

This year’s list of Golden Globe nominees has been commended for its racial diversity, but being pitted up against large commercial successes like “The Handmaid’s Tale” and productions with big names like “A Star is Born” or “Vice” narrows chances for any actual wins.

All eyes are on “A Star is Born” to sweep up awards across the board with five nominations. Even though it is the third remake of 1937 original this rendition has received critical acclaim and has been surrounded by hype since its release. It is almost guaranteed to win Best Motion Picture for Drama. Lady Gaga is an assured win for Best Actress for giving a completely transformative, grounded performance and her amazing vocals do not hurt either. Bradley Cooper went to great lengths for this movie, beyond acting and directing he learned how to play guitar and sing. But, based on Cooper’s poor track record the win for Best Actor is out of sight. A combination of two Golden Globe nominations and three consecutive Oscar nominations but still no wins has Cooper has looking like the new Leonardo DiCaprio.

The television powerhouse, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” is up for three nominations: Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. Thriving off the hype in 2018 from wins in the same category, season two of the Hulu original had a lot higher budget that was evident in their production with more grand sets and locations.  Their efforts to grab another set of wins this year should pay off.

“Black Panther” has to win for its music nominations for Best Original Score, Best Original Song, it was arguably the best part of the movie. As for Best Motion Picture for Drama, it is unlikely for a win. Superhero related movies are disregarded as not serious enough all across the award circuit. But, to devalue these movies based on that assumption is a mistake and has caused an uproar since Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Night” was snubbed for the best motion picture. Putting “Black Panther” as a nominee for Best Motion Picture for Drama settles the speculation stirring around if there would be a creation of a most popular category. However, while “Black Panther” is a well-crafted movie not just amongst superhero movies it still is not at the level to take home a win for Best Motion Picture at least not against such strong competitors as “A Star is Born” or “If Beale Street Could Talk.”

“Pose”: the series that takes place in the height of the ballroom scene in the ’80s shows that they need to be taken seriously as it gets nominated for Best Television Series for Drama and Billy Porter for Best Actor. It presents a great stride in representation for the LGBTQ community, especially for those of color, a mainstream channel like FX. The show sheds recognition and works as a platform for marginalized people to not be seen as a gimmick but as the protagonists. Despite the nominations meaning a lot to the community, it is unpredictable if the show will obtain its deserved wins.

The hit movie “Crazy Rich Asians” and leading actress Constance Wu surprisingly receive nominations considering it was only last year that the first-ever Asian American, Aziz Ansari, won a Golden Globe. A win would make Wu the first Asian American to win for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for Musical or Comedy and to win Best Motion Picture with a full Asian cast would be a huge precedent for the Asian Americans. Although, in the same category are recognized actresses Charlize Theron and Emily Blunt that make it so Wu does not really stand a chance. Also, in the Best Motion Picture for a Musical or Comedy “Crazy Rich Asians” is set up against heavy hitter “Vice,” which received six nominations in total so, it is too soon to celebrate a win for diversity. Yet again, when representation in media looks like it takes two steps forward it takes one step back.

With Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg being the hosts for the 76th annual Golden Globes, the show is bound to be funny, unlike previous years that have turned out unsurprisingly bland. This does raise concern for Oh, who was nominated for Best Actress in a Television Series for Drama for her role as MI5 operative Eve Polastri in “Killing Eve.” Only Amy Poehler has ever won a Golden Globe the night she was the host for the ceremony. It will be even harder for Oh because she is up against Elisabeth Moss who won the previous year for “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Regardless Oh’s intense performance in “Killing Eve” was extremely worthy of taking home an award. A victory would make Oh the first Asian American to win for Best Actress in a Television Series. The show itself should win for its clever and addictive telling of the cat and mouse game between Eve and the charismatic killer Villanelle. Jodie Comer’s chilling performance as the sociopathic assassin Villanelle got snubbed for Best Supporting Actress. Comer raised the bar as she simultaneously made the character terrifying and charming.