Poll: Will ‘Game of Thones’ rule TV awards?
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Hollywood awards seldom bow to fantasy/sci-fi fare, of course. Sure, ‘Game of Thrones’ is getting great reviews, but can it seize the crown at the Emmys, Golden Globes and SAG Awards?
‘Lost’ won top prizes at the Emmys and SAG Awards, but that was rare recognition for the genre. ‘Lost’ also won the Golden Globe, which is far more welcoming. The biggest winner for TV drama series at the Globes is ‘The X-Files’ –- three times.
As for ‘Game of Thrones,’ it’s scoring an impressive 82 at Metacritic. Sample reviews:
L.A. Times: ‘A great and thundering series of political and psychological intrigue bristling with vivid characters, cross-hatched with tantalizing plotlines and seasoned with a splash of fantasy.’
TV Guide: ‘HBO has found its answer to ‘Lord of the Rings’ in adapting George R.R. Martin’s enthralling, sprawling, ruthlessly brutal and magnificently entertaining series of page-turners. Be prepared. ‘Game of Thrones’ isn’t a popcorn epic. More like steak: red-blooded and raw, with bone and gristle and a side of brains.’
USA Today: ‘It’s all very well told and well acted, but those who insist on comparing it to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ are setting up expectations ‘Game’ cannot possibly match.... It’s a popular story, but it lacks the joyous force and universal appeal of ‘Rings.’ ‘
How will it fare at the Emmys? Below, sample comments from our forums. See more here.
MissyGal: ‘Knowing what kind of track record sci-fi/fantasy shows have at he Emmys, not much. Then again, it has been getting great reviews, so it could be like ‘Lost’ and break through at the awards.’ Turtle: ‘There is some precedent for fantasy material doing well, and not just in tech categories, at the Emmys. ‘Merlin’ snagged 13 Emmy noms, including miniseries, and won four in tech categories … ‘The Mists of Avalon’ snagged nine noms (and one win for makeup) … ‘Tin Man’ earned nine noms, including miniseries, and one win (makeup) in 2008 … ‘Alice’ snagged two noms in 2010, including supporting actress mini/movie for Kathy Bates.’thedemonhog: ‘With last year’s nominees ‘Lost’ and ‘Breaking Bad’ ineligible, room has opened up in the Outstanding Drama Series.... Despite being a well-received classic HBO epic not made by David Simon, ‘Games of Thrones’ is not popping up in many predictions.... The only actor with a shot is Sean Bean because we know who he is and is the only one featured prominently in promotional materials. The cast is way too massive, full of non-names and arriving too late in the awards season to pick up buzz for them.’
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The Cheat Sheet: ‘Game of Thrones’
Television review: ‘Game of Thrones’
‘Game of Thrones’ quiz: Test your Westeros knowledge
— Tom O’Neil