POISON SCOOTER

Screen Actors Guild Awards

That annual pre-cursor to the Academy Awards that recognizes the best performances across film and television took place last night and there were little surprises. Helen Mirren and Forest Whitaker have been racking in the awards for their work as world leaders, Queen Elizabeth and Idi Amin respectively, and last night they both took home "the actor." Typically those who score SAG awards repeat at Oscar time and with the overwhelming support both of their performances are garnering, it would be quite stunning for someone else to win.

The same can be said for Jennifer Hudson, American Idol cast off and feel good story, who has been dominating the race for Supporting Actress for her work in Dreamgirls. The only real race of the big four for actors that is left to be decided is whether or not Eddie Murphy can build steam for his Supporting role in Dreamgirls. Murphy won the SAG, but he has been losing more than he has been winning this award season. The good news for Murphy is that the field last night contained almost the same faces as it will on Oscar night. Only Mark Wahlberg was missing and looks to be a dark horse anyway considering the lack of performance nominations The Departed received from the Academy.

The best news of the night for me was the Ensemble acting award, SAG's equivalent of Best Picture, went to Little Miss Sunshine. Only four castmates were on hand to accept, Abigail Breslin, Alan Arkin, Steve Carell and Greg Kinnear (all nominees in other categories and Kinnear a presenter.)

Steve Carell was awarded for his work as part of team twice actually. The Office took home the top prize for Ensemble Comedy Show, another win I fully support!

Alec Baldwin and America Ferrara repeated their Golden Globe wins in the comedy lead categories. Hugh Laurie also took home the top prize in a drama for his work on House. The stunner was Chandra Wilson as fiesty Dr. Bailey on Grey's Anatomy who won female lead and also shared Ensemble Drama with her cast mates.

Highlights: Steve Carell and Julia Louise Dreyfus presentation interplay. Chandra Wilson thanking her 10 castmates here and "the one in rehab". Steve Carell's acceptance speech for The Office.

posted by Scooter @ 4:33 AM