mamamedia predicts :: The 2016 Golden Globe Awards

EXPERT PREDICTION TIME!

BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

Carol
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight

mama's pick :: I'm backing Carol. Cate Blanchett has the Midas touch. (Get it? Midas? Gold? Golden Globes? ZING.

...I'll show myself out.)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

Cate Blanchett - Carol
Brie Larson - Room
Rooney Mara - Carol
Saoirse Ronan - Brooklyn
Alicia Vikander - The Danish Girl

mama's pick :: If it's not going to be Blanchett, then I'd say it'll be Vikander.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

Bryan Cranston - Trumbo
Leonardo DiCaprio - The Revenant
Michael Fassbender - Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne - The Danish Girl
Will Smith - Concussion

mama's pick :: Hmm. I think Eddie will take it out. Back to back Globes - go Redmayne!

BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

The Big Short
Joy
The Martian
Spy
Trainwreck

mama's pick :: Well, I had no idea that Spy had been nominated...so there you go. But I'm backing Trainwreck. I really don't care for movies, but I LOVE me some Schumer.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Jennifer Lawrence - Joy
Melissa McCarthy - Spy
Amy Schumer - Trainwreck
Maggie Smith - The Lady in the Van
Lily Tomlin - Grandma

mama's pick :: Like I said, LOVE ME SOME SCHUMER, but I don't know if the HFPA will write off Trainwreck as Amy just "playing herself" so I'm picking J.Law. Girl is on fire. Hunger Games pun totally intended.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Christian Bale - The Big Short
Steve Carell - The Big Short
Matt Damon - The Martian
Al Pacino - Danny Collins
Mark Ruffalo - Infinitely Polar Bear

mama's pick :: Oh my God, Infinitely Polar Bear might be the greatest movie title I've heard in a long time. OK, so I don't think he'll win, but I can't not use this...

BEST MOTION PICTURE - ANIMATED

Anomalisa
The Good Dinosaur
Inside Out
The Peanuts Movie
Shaun The Sheep Movie

mama's pick :: I'm picking Inside Out - which left my mother TRAUMATISED, by the way - but my Liv would most definitely be backing Shaun The Sheep. She loves that woolly bastard.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Jane Fonda - Youth
Jennifer Jason Leigh - The Hateful Eight
Helen Mirren - Trumbo
Alicia Vikander - Ex Machina
Kate Winslet - Steve Jobs

mama's pick :: Some big names in this category, and TBH, I have no idea who's winning this one. So...Helen!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Paul Dano - Love & Mercy
Idris Elba - Beasts of No Nation
Mark Rylance - Bridge of Spies
Michael Shannon - 99 Homes
Sylvester Stallone - Creed

mama's pick :: Oh Idris. Sigh.

...Sorry, where was I? I got lost in his dreamy, dreamy eyes...much like the Duchess of Cambridge here...

"One must try not to get too flustered...but HOLY SHIT YOU ARE HOT AS BALLS."

BEST TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

Empire
Game of Thrones
Mr. Robot
Narcos
Outlander

mama's pick :: Hmm. Empire.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

Caitriona Balfe - Outlander
Viola Davis - How To Get Away With Murder
Eva Green - Penny Dreadful
Taraji P. Henson - Empire
Robin Wright - House of Cards

mama's pick :: I think Taraji has this one...although if Viola wins and gives another kickass speech like she did at the Emmys, I will support this.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Rami Malek - Mr. Robot
Wagner Moura - Narcos
Bob Odenkirk - Better Call Saul
Liev Schreiber - Ray Donovan

mama's pick :: You've gotta back the Hamm, since it's his last rodeo as Don Draper. TANGENT TIME: Ray Donovan's nom reminds me of the one and only time I've every watched the show...

BEST TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Casual
Mozart in the Jungle
Orange is the New Black
Silicon Valley
Transparent
Veep

mama's pick :: BROOKLYN NINE-NINE WAS ROBBBBED.

Ahem. Transparent.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Rachel Bloom - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Jamie Lee Curtis - Scream Queens
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Veep
Gina Rodriguez - Jane the Virgin
Lily Tomlin - Grace and Frankie

mama's pick :: Well Gina won last year...but Jamie Lee was pretty great in Scream Queens...although I don't know if that was particularly well-received...and everyone loves Veep...so I'll say Julia!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Aziz Ansari - Master of None
Gael Garcia Bernal - Mozart in the Jungle
Rob Lowe - The Grinder
Patrick Stewart - Blunt Talk
Jeffrey Tambor - Transparent

mama's pick :: I think Jeffrey Tambor will win, but how can you not get behind the most adorable lobster ever?!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Uzo Aduba - Orange is the New Black
Joanne Froggatt - Downton Abbey
Regina King - American Crime
Judith Light - Transparent
Maura Tierney - The Affair

mama's pick :: Crazy Eyes for the win!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, LIMITED SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION 

Alan Cumming - The Good Wife
Damian Lewis - Wolf Hall
Ben Mendelsohn - Bloodline
Tobias Menzies - Outlander
Christian Slater - Mr. Robot

mama's pick :: I've gotta support the homegrown boy Ben Mendelsohn!

Hey Aussies! The 73rd Golden Globe Awards are being telecast live on FOX8 from 11:00AEDST Monday morning. Don't worry if you miss it - it's being replayed on FOX8 from 7:30pm Monday night.

mamamedia predicts :: The 2015 Emmy Awards

EXPERT PREDICTIONS.

OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

Better Call Saul
Downton Abbey
Game of Thrones
Homeland
House of Cards
Mad Men
Orange Is The New Black

mama's pick :: Hmm. I have no idea how this will turn out. Will BCS continue Breaking Bad's streak? Will the voters be able to ignore the juggernaut that is GOT? Will Mad Men return to the award glory days of 2009-2011? I JUST DON'T KNOW.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

Louie
Modern Family
Parks and Recreation
Silicon Valley
Transparent
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Veep

mama's pick :: I would put money on Transparent taking this category, as they did at the Golden Globes earlier this year.

LEAD ACTOR - DRAMA

Bob Odenkirk - Better Call Saul
Kyle Chandler - Bloodline
Kevin Spacey - House of Cards
Jon Hamm - Mad Men
Jeff Daniels - The Newsroom
Liev Schreiber - Ray Donovan

mama's pick :: #TEAMHAMM ALL THE WAY. Come on guys, this is getting into Lucci territory. Jon has been nominated for Best Lead every year since 2008, throw the Hamm a bone already.

LEAD ACTRESS - DRAMA

Taraji P. Henson - Empire
Claire Danes - Homeland
Viola Davis - How to Get Away with Murder
Tatiana Maslany - Orphan Black
Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men
Robin Wright - House of Cards

mama's pick :: Taraji is majestic in Empire, in my opinion, she is the only enjoyable part of the show. Viola is great as well; HTGAWM is not always the strongest material, but Davis always sells it. That woman has some serious chops.

LEAD ACTOR - COMEDY

Anthony Anderson - black-ish
Matt LeBlanc - Episodes
Don Cheadle - House of Lies
Will Forte - The Last Man On Earth
Louis C.K - Louie
William H. Macy - Shameless
Jeffrey Tambor - Transparent

mama's pick :: I do have a lot of residual Tribbiani love left for Matt LeBlanc, but I think Tambor will take this one out.

LEAD ACTRESS - COMEDY

Lisa Kudrow - The Comeback
Lily Tomlin - Grace and Frankie
Amy Schumer - Inside Amy Schumer
Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie
Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Veep

mama's pick :: #TEAMAMY. Either one, really.

SUPPORTING ACTOR - DRAMA

Jonathan Banks - Better Call Saul
Ben Mendelsohn - Bloodline
Jim Carter - Downton Abbey
Peter Dinklage - Game of Thrones
Alan Cumming - The Good Wife
Michael Kelly - House of Cards

mama's pick :: How could you go past Tyrion??

SUPPORTING ACTRESS - DRAMA

Joanne Froggatt - Downton Abbey
Lena Headey - Game of Thrones
Emilia Clarke - Game of Thrones
Christine Baranski - The Good Wife
Christina Hendricks - Mad Men
Uzo Aduba - Orange Is The New Black

mama's pick :: Damnit, now I've got that damn Regina Spektor song stuck in my head..."Youuu'vvvvve...gooootttt....tiiiiiii-iiiiiiii-IIIIIIMEEEEE...." So, yes, I like Uzo.

SUPPORTING ACTOR - COMEDY

Andre Braugher - Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Adam Driver - Girls
Keegan-Michael Key - Key & Peele
Ty Burrell - Modern Family
Tituss Burgess - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Tony Hale - Veep

mama's pick :: #TEAMANDRE ALL THE WAY THAT'S HOW WE ROLL IN THE NINE-NINE. Ahem. Yes.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS - COMEDY

Mayim Bialik - The Big Bang Theory
Niecy Nash - Getting On
Julie Bowen - Modern Family
Allison Janney - Mom
Kate McKinnon - Saturday Night Live
Gaby Hoffmann - Transparent
Jane Krakowski - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Anna Chlumsky - Veep

mama's pick :: "Listen up fives, a ten is talking!" I miss 30 Rock. Much like LeBlanc, I've got a lot of residual love for Jane/Jenna Maroney.

So, who's your pick? What have you loved/hated this year? Are you as excited as I am to see Andy Samberg host? Did I tell you Stephanie Beatriz retweeted me once & I almost died from excitement? HANDS UP, FELLOW NINE-NINE FANS!

Hey, fellow Aussies! The Emmy Awards are being televised live from 9:00am Monday morning on FOX8.

mamamedia predicts :: The 2015 MTV Video Music Awards

Oh yeah, we're doing this. Hope you've got your bookie on standby!

Break out the popcorn, because it's nearly time for the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards, hosted by Miley Cyrus. I can only imagine the shenanigans she has planned for us. Twerking? Nipples? Fire? Farm animals? WHO CAN SAY.

While you contemplate that, let's take a look at the nominees!

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Beyonce - 7/11
Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar - Bad Blood
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk
Kendrick Lamar - Alright

mama's pick :: I would be verrry surprised to see anyone but Taylor walk away with this one.

BEST MALE VIDEO

Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk
Kendrick Lamar - Alright
The Weeknd - Earned It
Nick Jonas - Chains

mama's pick :: Hmm. I do like Uptown Funk, but I think Ed or Kendrick will take this one out. I refuse to acknowledge the possibility that 50 Shades might influence the votes for Earned It. Ugh.

BEST FEMALE VIDEO

Beyonce - 7/11
Taylor Swift - Blank Space
Nicki Minaj - Anaconda
Sia - Elastic Heart
Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do

mama's pick :: I think Taylor will take this one out as well (much to Nicki's displeasure...) but I think Sia deserves an award purely for making Shia LaBeouf appear attractive whilst dancing in a cage in flesh-coloured underwear. Bravo.

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO

Fetty Wap - Trap Queen
Nicki Minaj - Anaconda
Kendrick Lamar - Alright
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth - See You Again
Big Sean ft. E-40 - I Don't F**k With You

mama's pick :: Nicki definitely got a lot of attention for her VMA nominations after her dig at Taylor Swift, but I'm not sure whether that will work for or against her with the voters. Either way, I think Kendrick's video is more deserving of the award than Anaconda.

BEST POP VIDEO

Beyonce - 7/11
Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
Taylor Swift - Blank Space
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk
Maroon 5 - Sugar

mama's pick :: Once again, Taylor has got to be a lock, surely? As an aside, whilst I don't think they'll win, I can't help but smile whenever I see the Sugar video. I JUST LOVE LOVE OKAY.

BEST ROCK VIDEO

Hozier - Take Me To Church
Fall Out Boy - Uma Thurman
Florence + The Machine - Ship To Wreck
Walk The Moon - Shut Up And Dance
Arctic Monkeys - Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?

mama's pick :: Who do I think will win? Hozier. Who would I like to win? Arctic Monkeys all the way! AM was a perfect album from start to finish.

ARTIST TO WATCH

Fetty Wap - Trap Queen
Vance Joy - Riptide
George Ezra - Budapest
James Bay - Hold Back The River
FKA twigs - Pendulum

mama's pick :: Yay Vance! No question, I have to back my fellow Aussie here.

BEST COLLABORATION

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar - Bad Blood
Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk
Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth - See You Again
Ariana Grande & The Weeknd - Love Me Harder
Jessie J + Ariana Grande + Nicki Minaj - Bang Bang

mama's pick :: Do we think anyone really has a chance against Bad Blood, the ultimate in #SquadGoals? Really?

VIDEO WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE

Jennifer Hudson - I Still Love You
Colbie Caillat - Try
Big Sean ft. Kanye West & John Legend - One Man Can Change The World
Rihanna - American Oxygen
Wale - The White Shoes

mama's pick :: Look at you MTV, being all socially responsible 'n' shit. Taking a look at past winners, gay rights and body image are the big winners in this category - both very pressing issues within the voting demographic - so my money would be on I Still Love You or Try.

So, who would get your vote? Are you looking forward to Miley's antics? Or are you cringing in anticipation? Are you #TeamTaylor or #TeamNicki? OR, are you like me over here on #TeamWhyCantWeAllJustGetAlong? Sound off in the comments!

For you Australian lovelies, you can catch the MTV VMA's live on MTV from 10:00am, Monday 31st August. Don't fret if you miss the live telecast though, as MTV will be replaying the awards on a constant loop throughout the day.

mamamedia predicts :: The 2015 Logie Awards

It's that time of year again!

When the best and brightest in Australian TV come together for a boozy night at the Crown Casino, where dresses are tight and Botoxed faces are tighter, and when the losers grit their teeth and applaud politely as the oddest looking statuette in the industry is handed over to a bronzed teenager from Home and Away. 

Yes, it's the Logies!

So get your bookies on speed dial, because here come the mamamedia predictions. Who will be going home with that weird little person holding a TV? ...I mean, I think that's what it is?

FUN FACT! The late Joan Rivers once declared the Logie to be the ugliest award she'd ever seen

As always, Most Popular categories are voted on by the public; Most Outstanding categories are voted on by a jury comprising members of the Australian TV industry. 

GOLD LOGIE - Presented to the most popular personality on Australian TV

Andy Lee - Hamish and Andy's Gap Year South America

Asher Keddie - Offspring/Party Tricks

Carrie Bickmore - The Project

Hamish Blake - Hamish and Andy's Gap Year South America

Scott Cam - The Block

Stephen Peacocke - Home And Away

mama's pick :: Carrie Bickmore is the favourite to win this year, but I would love for Andy to take it out. Hamish has one, its only fair!

MOST POPULAR ACTOR

Chris Lilley - Jonah From Tonga

Craig McLachlan - The Doctor Blake Mysteries

Josh Thomas - Please Like Me

Luke Arnold - INXS: Never Tear Us Apart

Stephen Peacocke - Home And Away

mama's pick :: Based on the voting demographic, I'm picking Chris or Stephen for this one.

MOST POPULAR ACTRESS

Asher Keddie - Offspring/Party Tricks

Bonnie Sveen - Home And Away

Jessica Marais - Carlotta/Love Child

Julia Morris - House Husbands

Mandy McElhinney - Love Child

mama's pick :: Again, I think Bonnie has this in the bag due to the voters, but my vote goes to Asher, who was exquisite in the final season of Offspring. Although, I would be happy for any of the other 3 to win also. 

MOST POPULAR PRESENTER

Amanda Keller - The Living Room

Andy Lee - Hamish and Andy's Gap Year South America

Carrie Bickmore - The Project

Grant Denyer - Family Feud

Karl Stefanovic - Today

mama's pick :: Hmm...since she's the favourite for the Gold, Carrie might take this out as well, but I'd like to see Andy win.

MOST POPULAR NEW TALENT

Harriet Dyer - Love Child

Laura Brent - ANZAC Girls/INXS: Never Tear Us Apart

Miranda Tapsell - Love Child

Olympia Valance - Neighbours

Samantha Jade - INXS: Never Tear Us Apart

mama's pick :: I'm backing one of the Love Child girls, I thought they were both spectacular. 

MOST POPULAR DRAMA PROGRAM

Home And Away

House Husbands

INXS: Never Tear Us Apart

Love Child

Offspring

mama's pick :: Offspring all the way! Although I will never get over Patrick's death. NINA + PATRICK 4EVAAA.

MOST POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

Family Feud

Hamish and Andy's Gap Year South America 

Sunrise

The Project

The Voice

mama's pick :: Hamish stuck his hand into a glove of fire ants. I think he's earned it for the both of them. 

MOST POPULAR REALITY PROGRAM

Big Brother

Bondi Rescue

Bondi Vet 

My Kitchen Rules

The Block

mama's pick :: Bondi Rescue has won 6 times in the past, albeit in the Factual Program category, so they might take home #7...but I think it's more likely to go to My Kitchen Rules.

MOST OUTSTANDING ACTOR

Ashley Zukerman - The Code

John Noble - Devil's Playground 

Luke Arnold - INXS: Never Tear Us Apart

Martin Henderson - Secrets & Lies

Richard Roxburgh - Rake

mama's pick :: It's a shame Secrets & Lies was so poorly received, because Martin carried it. FUN FACT! Martin Henderson appeared in Britney Spears' film clip for Toxic - he was the man she poisoned in the end. 

MOST OUTSTANDING ACTRESS

Danielle Cormack - Wentworth

Denise Roberts - Schapelle

Jessica Marais - Carlotta

Marta Dusseldorp - Janet King

Nicole da Silva - Wentworth

mama's pick :: I have a feeling that Danielle will win, she receives rave reviews for Wentworth.

MOST OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES

Janet King

Puberty Blues

Rake

The Code

Wentworth

mama's pick :: I think Wentworth will win this one...I honestly didn't see it being as successful as it has been, so well done to the Wentworth team. 

MOST OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAM

Bogan Hunters

Shaun Micallef's Mad As Hell

The Chaser's Media Circus

The Checkout

The Voice Australia 

mama's pick :: The Chaser guys can be quite polarising, so I don't know if Media Circus or Checkout would win, although Checkout is fantastic...I'd love for Mad As Hell to win, because I think Shaun is a genius. Just please don't let it go to Bogan Hunters. 

MOST OUTSTANDING COMEDY PROGRAM

Black Comedy

Legally Brown

Please Like Me

Upper Middle Bogan

Utopia

mama's pick :: Hmm...Utopia was pretty well received when it premiered, so I think they might have this one. Anything that showcases the glorious Celia Pacquola is alright with me. 

GRAHAM KENNEDY AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING NEWCOMER - The winner will receive a round-trip to Los Angeles, a one-year scholarship to the Stella Adler Acting School in LA and mentoring with prominent industry contacts 

Brandon McLelland

Harriet Dyer

Miranda Tapsell

Silvia Colloca

Troy Kinne

mama's pick :: Hmm....once again, either of the Love Child girls.

So there you have it! Who are you backing? What have you been loving on Aussie TV this past year?

Catch the Logies live on Channel Nine from 7:30 AEST tonight. I'll be covering the ceremony in one capacity or another, so check in later! 

mamamedia predicts :: The 2015 Academy Awards

Continuing the grand tradition of making somewhat accurate award predictions! So it goes without saying: maybe don't take these tips to your bookies. 

BEST PICTURE

American Sniper
Birdman
Boyhood
The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Imitation Game
Selma
The Theory of Everything
Whiplash

mama's pick :: Oh God, there's too many choices...but I think it will be Boyhood or Theory Of Everything.

BEST DIRECTOR

Alejandro Innaritu - Birdman
Richard Linklater - Boyhood
Bennett Miller - Foxcatcher
Wes Anderson - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Morten Tyldum - The Imitation Game

mama's pick :: I think Linklater has this one in the bag, however I find it a travesty that Ava DuVernay was not nominated.

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Steve Carell - Foxcatcher
Bradley Cooper - American Sniper
Benedict Cumberbatch - The Imitation Game
Michael Keaton - Birdman
Eddie Redmayne - The Theory Of Everything

mama's pick :: I love Eddie Redmayne, so I'm hoping he takes it home. His transformation into Stephen Hawking is just incredible. I mean, Hawking has said there were points in the film where he thought he was watching himself, what bigger endorsement is there than that?

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Marion Cotillard - Two Days, One Night
Felicity Jones - The Theory Of Everything
Julianne Moore - Still Alice
Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon - Wild

mama's pick :: Julianne is a lock for this. I can't see anyone else stealing the win from her.

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Robert Duvall - The Judge
Ethan Hawke - Boyhood
Edward Norton - Birdman
Mark Ruffalo - Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons - Whiplash

mama's pick :: This is another category where I am pretty certain of the winner - J.K. has dominated this awards season, so I am left in no doubt that he'll take this home as well.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Patricia Arquette - Boyhood
Laura Dern - Wild
Keira Knightley - The Imitation Game
Emma Stone - Birdman
Meryl Streep - Into The Woods

mama's pick :: Wow, they really are predictable this year...Patricia Arquette, easy peasy.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Big Hero 6
The Boxtrolls
How To Train Your Dragon 2
Song Of The Sea
The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya

mama's pick :: LEGO MOVIE WAS ROBBED. ROBBED!!!!! Therefore, I abstain from the vote in protest. Hmph.

All in all, I think it's a very safe year, nominations wise. Women and minorities have been criminally underrepresented, which is a disappointment to say the least.

This year, the ceremony will be hosted by the divine Neil Patrick Harris. I can only imagine the opening number he has planned, I often re-watch his Tony and Emmy opening numbers when I'm in need of a pick-me-up, they are so much fun.

As always, the plan is to liveblog here at mamamedia, but life with an infant is unpredictable, so if I'm unable to blog, I will at least be tweeting along at @mamamedia_au.

For us Aussies, the Academy Awards are televised on Channel Nine live from 12:30pm Monday. See you then!

mamamedia predicts :: The 2015 Grammy Awards

After my incredible success predicting the Golden Globes last month, I decided to have another crack at it and pick who will take home the shiny gramophones this Sunday night (or Monday afternoon, for us antipodeans.)

DISCLAIMER :: There are something like 83 award categories in 2015, so there is no way in hell that I'm going through all of them. That's not to say that it isn't a big deal for the artists nominated for Best Choral or Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano!), I just don't have the musical knowledge to make somewhat informed predictions and wouldn't want to disrespect their craft by making every decision by closing my eyes & pointing at a name. So if your favourite category is omitted below, it's simply because I felt I didn't know enough about the nominated works to comment.

Anyway, without further ado, here are some of the big ones...

RECORD OF THE YEAR - Awarded to the performer and the production team of a single song

Fancy - Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
Chandelier - Sia
Stay With Me (Darkchild Version) - Sam Smith
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor

mama's pick :: God, this category is earworm central. So, there's a lot of buzz around Sam Smith suggesting he'll be taking out a few categories, but I have to back Tay-Tay. (I am a newly converted Swiftie and my little sister couldn't be prouder.)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR - Awarded to the performer and the production team of a full album

Morning Phase - Beck
Beyonce - Beyonce
X - Ed Sheeran
In The Lonely Hour - Sam Smith
Girl - Pharrell Williams

mama's pick :: Sam Smith. But basically, I'd be fine with anyone other than Beyonce. Sorry Beyhive. I am not a fan.

SONG OF THE YEAR - Awarded to the writer(s)/composer(s) of a single song

All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor
Chandelier - Sia
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Stay With Me (Darkchild Version) - Sam Smith
Take Me To Church - Hozier

mama's pick :: In terms of songwriting, my favourite would be a tie between Hozier and Sia.

BEST NEW ARTIST

Iggy Azalea
Bastille
Brandy Clark
HAIM
Sam Smith

mama's pick :: Patriotism tells me to back Iggy, but I love the HAIM girls.

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE

All Of Me (Live) - John Legend
Chandelier - Sia
Stay With Me (Darkchild Version) - Sam Smith
Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
Happy (Live) - Pharrell Williams

mama's pick :: My love for Chrissy Teigen is blinding me a bit here, so I have to vote for John.

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

Fancy - Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
A Sky Full Of Stars - Coldplay
Say Something - A Great Big World with Christina Aguilera
Bang Bang - Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
Dark Horse - Katy Perry feat. Juicy J

mama's pick :: I think Fancy will take it out, but I LOVE Sky Full Of Stars. I've spent many a night singing that to Liv to put her to sleep. It's a great song and Chris Martin performs it beautifully.

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

Ghost Stories - Coldplay
Bangerz - Miley Cyrus
My Everything - Ariana Grande
Prism - Katy Perry
X - Ed Sheeran
In The Lonely Hour - Sam Smith

mama's pick :: I think it will be Sam Smith again, but I'd love to see Coldplay win. Again, anyone other than Miley or Ariana - really not a fan of either lady.

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE

Gimme Something Good - Ryan Adams
Do I Wanna Know? - Arctic Monkeys
Blue Moon - Beck
Fever - The Black Keys
Lazaretto - Jack White

mama's pick :: Arctic Monkeys. I am still smarting over being unable to see them live in Sydney, on account of the fact that I was about eight months pregnant at the time.

BEST ROCK SONG

Ain't It Fun - Paramore
Blue Moon - Beck
Fever - The Black Keys
Gimme Something Good - Ryan Adams
Lazaretto - Jack White

mama's pick :: I love The Black Keys and Fever is so much fun...it is a songwriting award though, so will the lyrics be a bit too simple for the Academy? WE SHALL SEE.

BEST ROCK ALBUM

Ryan Adams - Ryan Adams
Morning Phase - Beck
Turn Blue - The Black Keys
Hypnotic Eye - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Songs Of Innocence - U2

mama's pick :: If this category were for Best Marketing Strategy Disguised As Gift That Went Woefully Unappreciated, then U2 would be a LOCK. As it isn't though, I'm picking Turn Blue.

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

This Is All Yours - alt-J
Reflektor - Arcade Fire
Melophobia - Cage The Elephant
St. Vincent - St. Vincent
Lazaretto - Jack White

mama's pick :: Hmm, White Stripes did quite well at the Grammys over the years, so Jack White might be a safe bet...I do love alt-J though.

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE

3005 - Childish Gambino
0 To 100/The Catch Up - Drake
Rap God - Eminem
I - Kendrick Lamar
All I Need Is You - Lecrae

mama's pick :: Childish "Troy Barnes" Gambino. Actually, I was dancing to 3005 with my brother the other day...and my bro NEVER dances, so that's how good this song is.

BEST RAP SONG

Anaconda - Nicki Minaj
Bound 2 - Kanye West
I - Kendrick Lamar
We Dem Boyz - Wiz Khalifa
O To 100/ The Catch Up - Drake

mama's pick :: I would like Kanye to win, for no other reason than the possibility for acceptance speech GOLD.

BEST RAP ALBUM

The New Classic - Iggy Azalea
Because The Internet - Childish Gambino
Nobody's Smiling - Common
The Marshall Mathers LP2 - Eminem
Oxymoron - Schoolboy Q
Blacc Hollywood - Wiz Khalifa

mama's pick :: A controversial category this year. Iggy is only the fifth woman to ever be nominated in this category, and whilst it would be amazing to see a woman win, I don't know if she particularly deserves it...an opinion I am not alone in sharing, it seems. I'm backing Childish Gambino...mainly because I love Community. "Clearly you don't know the first thing about defeating trolls!"

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

We Exist - Arcade Fire
Turn Down For What - DJ Snake & Lil Jon
Chandelier - Sia
Happy - Pharrell Williams
The Golden Age - Woodkid feat. Max Richter

mama's pick :: I'm pretty sure the dancing penis in TDFW is going to take it out. Guaranteed*.
*dripping with sarcasm. I'm backing Maddie Ziegler & The Bodysuit.

SO. MANY. AWARDS. Who are your picks?

I am hoping to be able to liveblog the ceremony again, but we shall see. I will at least be tweeting along @ mamamedia_au.

For you Aussie babes, the awards are being broadcast from 12:00pm Monday February 9th on FOX8. See you then!

2015 Golden Globes :: My Expert Predictions

My favourite thing about awards shows is what a mindless form of entertainment they are - no story lines or characters to focus on, just pretty people in pretty outfits receiving statuettes of shiny men.

After the tragedies in Paris over the past few days, I am especially looking forward to a bit of levity in tomorrow's Golden Globe Awards, hosted for the third time by dynamite duo Tina Fey & Amy Poehler.

So, let's talk winners. Keep in mind - I once predicted Masterchef would be a disaster for Channel 10 when it first launched here in Australia...I believe my exact words were, "who's going to want to watch a cooking show 6 nights a week?" ...so I obviously know that of which I speak.

Don't take my tips to your bookies, in other words.

BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

Boyhood
Foxcatcher
The Imitation Game
Selma
The Theory Of Everything

mama's pick :: I am backing The Theory of Everything, based purely on my love for Eddie Redmayne and the fact that I have not seen any of these films.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

Jennifer Aniston - Cake
Felicity Jones - The Theory Of Everything
Julianne Moore - Still Alice
Rosamund Pike - Gone Girl
Reese Witherspoon - Wild

mama's pick :: I have heard nothing but praise for Aniston's role in Cake and I would love to see her win. It's time she's known for something other than just Friends!

...although I do love Friends. FUN FACT: When my daughter was born, one of the first things I said to her was a quote from the scene when Rachel gave birth to Emma: "Thanks for coming out of me!"

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

Steve Carell - Foxcatcher
Benedict Cumberbatch - The Imitation Game
Jake Gyllenhaal - Nightcrawler
David Oyelowo - Selma
Eddie Redmayne - The Theory Of Everything

mama's pick :: TEAM EDDIE.

BEST MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Birdman
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Into The Woods
Pride
St. Vincent

mama's pick :: Into The Woods, as it combines two of my favourite things: musicals, and Anna Kendrick.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Amy Adams - Big Eyes
Emily Blunt - Into The Woods
Helen Mirren - The Hundred-Foot Journey
Julianne Moore - Maps To The Stars
Quvenzhane Wallis - Annie

mama's pick :: Emily Blunt, as hers is the only name I've heard mentioned as a contender for this award.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Ralph Fiennes - The Grand Budapest Hotel
Michael Keaton - Birdman
Bill Murray - St. Vincent
Joaquin Phoenix - Inherent Vice
Christoph Waltz - Big Eyes

mama's pick :: Hmm...I'm going to back Michael Keaton, for two reasons:
1. Birdman is said to be amazing.
2. Charlie Clausen from TOFOP loves him.

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Big Hero 6
The Book Of Life
The Boxtrolls
How To Train Your Dragon 2
The Lego Movie

mama's pick ::  LEGOLEGOLEGO. LEGOOO! No contest. Hands down, my favourite film of 2014.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

Patricia Arquette - Boyhood
Jessica Chastain - A Most Violent Year
Keira Knightley - The Imitation Game
Emma Stone - Birdman
Meryl Streep - Into The Woods

mama's pick :: It's hard to look past Meryl, but I'm picking Emma in Birdman. Again, mainly based on my love for her.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

Robert Duvall - The Judge
Ethan Hawke - Boyhood
Edward Norton - Birdman
Mark Ruffalo - Foxcatcher
J.K. Simmons - Whiplash

mama's pick :: Oh God, I have no idea...Mark Ruffalo!

FULL DISCLOSURE: I may or may not have made this pick by closing my eyes and pointing at a name.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

The Affair (Showtime)
Downton Abbey (PBS)
Game Of Thrones (HBO)
The Good Wife (CBS)
House Of Cards (Netflix)

mama's pick :: Game Of Thrones - this is their second nomination for Best Series and between their huge fanbase and massive profitability, I feel that they've been dominating the landscape over the past 12 months.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

Claire Danes - Homeland
Viola Davis - How To Get Away With Murder
Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife
Ruth Wilson - The Affair
Robin Wright - House Of Cards

mama's pick :: HTGAWM seems to be a bit of a runaway success, so Viola might have this one in the bag.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

Clive Owen - The Knick
Liev Schreiber - Ray Donovan
Kevin Spacey - House Of Cards
James Spader - The Blacklist
Dominic West - The Affair

mama's pick :: Ummm....Dominic West!

...and yes, this may or may not have been another blind pick.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Girls (HBO)
Jane The Virgin (The CW)
Orange Is The New Black (Netflix)
Silicon Valley (HBO)
Transparent (Amazon Instant Video)

mama's pick :: Well, last year my beloved Brooklyn Nine-Nine won this category and I am displeased that there is no B99 love this year. Ergo, I am refusing to cast my vote in protest. TAKE THAT, HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Lena Dunham - Girls
Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Veep
Gina Rodriguez - Jane The Virgin
Taylor Schilling - Orange Is The New Black

mama's pick :: This is Taylor's second nomination for OITNB, so I'll vote for Piper.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Louis C.K. - Louie
Don Cheadle - House Of Lies
Ricky Gervais - Derek
William H. Macy - Shameless
Jeffrey Tambor - Transparent

mama's pick :: Again, I am abstaining from the vote as a form of protest. Andy Samberg won this last year - WHERE'S THE NINE-NINE, HFPA?!

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Uzo Aduba - Orange Is The New Black
Kathy Bates - American Horror Story: Freak Show
Joanne Froggatt - Downton Abbey
Allison Janney - Mom
Michelle Monaghan - True Detective

mama's pick :: It's gotta be Crazy Eyes Aduba.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION

Matt Bomer - The Normal Heart
Alan Cumming - The Good Wife
Colins Hanks - Fargo
Bill Murray - Olive Kitteridge
Jon Voight - Ray Donovan

mama's pick :: Oh, I love me some Bomer.

...that was a lot of awards. I'm exhausted.

At this point I'm still tossing up whether or not I'll liveblog the ceremony, but at the very least I'll be tweeting - follow the shenanigans @mamamedia_au

So - what's your pick? Who was your favourite this year? Do you share my raging passion for #B99? Comment away!