‘I Could Destroy You’ Is Shut Out by Golden Globes

Unpredictability is the TV portion of the Golden Globes’ biggest weakness, and it’s also its biggest strength. Ordinarily, you can count on the handful of voters at the Globes to make some startling decisions and celebrate some deserving but obscure candidates the Emmys overlook.

Call it inspired moodiness or the broken clock theory; Either way, it’s part of the charm of the awards. Let the Globes film hold the weight to set the odds for Oscar season. All low-stakes television awards are surprises. Here are some of them – for better or worse – for 2021 and some standout TV products from last year that were left out.

“I can destroy you”

Well that was a crime. Michaela Coel’s deservedly acclaimed limited series on rape and its aftermath was one of the most impressive storytelling feats not only of the year, but perhaps of the last decade. Apparently not to the globes; it was as absent from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s list as it was from its critics’ best-of-2020 lists.

“Emily in Paris”

No, that’s not a typo. Darren Star’s fantasy for Netflix about a young American entering the French luxury marketing business received some harsh reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. Explanation, s’il vous plaît? The Golden Globes are fond of honoring new shows and young talent (star Lily Collins also received an actor nomination). Also, the prizes are given by the HFPA, and now … I think “Paris” is in the title?

“Ratched”

The consequence of the HFPA’s love for the new is its weakness for stars, stars, stars. This misunderstood origin story for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” had many of them, at least in casting and production. (It’s the product of Ryan Murphy’s new association with Netflix.)

‘Unorthodox’

In an intimidatingly strong limited series year, this four-part Netflix series about a young Hasidic woman (Shira Haas) fleeing from her oppressive Brooklyn life felt like quiet, excellent work that could be overlooked during the awards season. But the globes remembered that drama – well worth checking out if you missed it in March – as well as the notable Haas.

‘Mrs. America’

This has been a big year for limited series – do you notice a topic? – Perhaps it is not shocking that there was no place for this story of the struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment, informed but not encumbered by a sense of feminist history. But you couldn’t have booted the ridiculous “The Undoing” for it?

Brendan Gleeson, “The Comey Rule”

The Globes failed to nominate this chunky miniseries that dramatized the role of former FBI Director James Comey in the election and administration of Donald Trump, and did a good job doing it. But there is something to be said for good performance on a bad show, and as a former president, Gleeson brought a different quality to the many nightly comedy impressions, a sense of impending gangster threat.

Rhea Seehorn, “Better call Saul”

The look at Seehorn’s subtly devastating performance in the prequel “Breaking Bad” has become a kind of perverse show tradition. But her work last season, when her Kim Wexler got caught up in the crime spiral of Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), was particularly deserved.

“Bridgerton”

His excitement, sex appeal, and star producer power may have made this Shonda Rhimes romance a typical Globes choice, but recognition in the drama category proved as elusive as Lady Whistledown. (And honestly, as much as I enjoyed season one, I would have added “P-Valley” or “Better Call Saul” beforehand.)

‘Little Ax’

This “surprise” is not a comment on the quality of Steve McQueen’s ambitious collection of five filmed stories – but it may surprise some readers that these films were nominated in this category. At least as far as the globes are concerned, they are television! (Cue “The More You Know” logo.)