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.

EVERYBODY BE COOL :: In Defence of Kim Kardashian West

I recognise that this may be an unpopular opinion, but this has been eating away at me for a while so I'm finally saying something. BRACE YOURSELVES.

Last week, the MTV Video Music Awards were held in Los Angeles. In attendance to receive the Video Vanguard award for lifetime achievement was rapper Kanye West, accompanied by pregnant wife Kim Kardashian.

Kanye wore his slouchiest best, paired with Yeezy Boost 350's (in a new colourway!!! ...people lose their damn minds over these shoes) while Kim wore a bespoke lace up gown designed by Olivier Rousteing of Balmain. Personally, I thought Kim looked beautiful: love her or hate her, you have to admit the woman has some damn good genes. Plus, she's pregnant, and I think every pregnant woman is gorgeous.

But apparently, I am in the minority.

Here is just a sampling of some of the delightful comments that have been floating around since the ceremony:

OK. I'll be blunt: If you are making fun of a pregnant woman's body - REGARDLESS of who the woman is - you are being an enormous tool.

I understand the Kardashian family inspires strong reactions in people; B was not impressed when my younger sister asked for the DVD sets for Christmas: "We have to spend our money on Kardashians?!" I get it. I tend to fall on the side of "tolerating" them: I'm not going to pretend that there aren't better role models out there for my daughter, but I also don't think they are the four horsewomen of the apocalypse.

I also know that Kim's fashion choices aren't always everybody's cup of tea; her style has become far more, shall we say, "experimental" since she began her relationship with Kanye. It only takes a cursory glance at the Kim Kardashian tag on Go Fug Yourself to realise that the woman wears A LOT of stuff that people tend not to like. And never more than when she's pregnant, it seems. Cast your mind back to the Met Gala of 2013, and the Givenchy dress that launched a thousand memes...

 

...I mean...Yeah. That wasn't cool either. A woman has zero control over how her body carries a pregnancy, so you're ridiculing her for something that she can't change, even if she wanted to. It's not like she can just diet that belly away! It also has to be said that Kim is quite small: she's only 5'3" so a pregnant belly has the potential to overwhelm her figure more than it might on a taller woman.

"But Jess, why then would she choose to wear such unflattering clothing?" Well here's the thing: Pregnancy does not suddenly negate your right to wear what you like. A SHOCKING CONCEPT I KNOW. And when your body is changing in ways it never has before, when you feel exhausted and uncomfortable, the clothes you wear can feel like one last little thing in your life that you still have control over. As I was pregnant over an Australian summer, where I could barely handle the feeling of fabric on my skin, I spent A LOT of time in bikinis. When I actually had to leave the house though, my wardrobe choices were often flowing and/or elasticated. Comfort all the way!

Conversely, you also have women like a friend of mine who kept her pre-pregnancy wardrobe - 5 inch stilettos included - in rotation well into her third trimester. It was only once her seams literally split that she relented and bought some maternity gear. And that's OK too - at the end of the day, it's whatever you feel comfortable in. If you feel good in caftans? Awesome! If you would rather rock a more tailored maternity wardrobe? Sweet! And if anyone tries to tell you something isn't "appropriate" or "flattering," then fuck that noise. YOU DO YOU, BABES.

(Another point I'd like to add quickly: Your body can change SO quickly during pregnancy, so there is always a chance that in the time between Kim's final fitting and the VMA's, her shape changed and affected the fit of the dress. I can vouch for this happening, after putting off buying a dress until the last minute for an event when I was around 5 months pregnant, then finding it fit differently only days later. Super annoying.)

Anyway, at the end of the day, Kim is just another pregnant woman, who is probably uncomfortable, exhausted, and incredibly sensitive about her appearance. And when you consider the awful jokes made at her expense during her first pregnancy - a pregnancy in which she suffered preeclampsia resulting in an early delivery and was apparently such a terrible time for her that she was unsure if she could endure it again - I can only imagine how she must feel seeing these kinds of comments being made once more.

Play the ball, not the player. If you hate Kim's Balmain dress? Then say you hate the dress. That's cool. Fashion is art is subjective, after all. But if you're cracking jokes about her body?

You're just being a dick.

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 liveblogs :: The 2015 Logie Awards

Tonight's liveblog brought to you by Crust Pizza and Jacobs Creek Cab Merlot. Oh yeah, we're hella fancy 'round these here parts. 

7:30: And we're off! No host this year, so we open simply to "your first presenter for the evening", Dave Hughes.

7:40: Dave is now deep into a tight ten and I still don't know what award he's presenting. 

7:43:  OK, first award of the night: Most Popular Entertainment Program. Come onnn, Hamish & Andy!

7:45: YES Ham and Ando! We're one for one guys!

7:48: Eddie Perfect & Amanda Keller out to present Most Popular Drama. Doing some awkward Play School comedy, not sure how well it's playing in the room, but it's not doing well in my lounge room, I'll tell you that much. 

7:52: PATTRRRRICCKKK. That damn clip for the Offspring nom just brought tears to my eyes. I will never forgive them for killing him off.

7:53: And the Logie goes to...Home And Away. Ooh, Charlie Clausen sighting! (If you don't listen to his podcast TOFOP, then get on that guys, post-haste.)

8:01: Musical act already, eh? Ricky Martin performing, introduced by the boobalicious Delta Goodrem. My husband suspects she's had a boob job; I remain on the fence. Further inspection is needed! <insert plug for upcoming season of The Voice here>

8:05: Peter Helliar & Denise Scott presenting Most Outstanding Comedy. I picked Utopia....

8:10: ...and Utopia for the win! Celia Pacquola looks babin' tonight as well, by the way. 

8:13: Next up is the Logie for Most Popular Actress, which has been won by Asher Keddie for the past 5 years. Lets make it six in a row Neens!

8:14: YES ASHER! She seriously earned it though, that final season of Offspring was just heartbreaking and Asher was nothing less than incredible. 

8:20: The Bondi Vet & Miss Universe presenting the Logie for Most Popular Presenter. Odds are it'll be Bickmore, but I'm #TeamAndo

8:23: ...and Carrie takes it out as expected. Looking amazing for a new mum, get it girl. 

8:26: "God, she's so thin, can you stand it?" Julia Morris comes out after Carrie to present Most Outstanding Entertainment Program...which...hang on, did they not run through the nominees before Julia ripped into the envelope? Hmm. That's odd. 

8:31: Just so you know, The Voice won, which I didn't expect, but congratulations, I guess! Next year is yours Micallef!!

8:32: "Did I forget to talk about the nominees?? I'm gonna be in really big trouble..." As Julia runs through the nominees post announcement. Live television folks!

Oops...

8:34: And now for the part of the evening where we run through the awards deemed not important enough to be presented on air!

8:41: Justine Clark (whose kids music my daughter LOVES incidentally) and Gary Sweet are out to present Most Popular New Talent. Lets go, Love Child ladies!

8:42: And the Logie goes to...Miranda Tapsell! (NAILED IT.) And doesn't she look ecstatic, bless. I love seeing the new kids so excited to win. 

8:44: "People obviously love seeing *this* so why deprive them of that?" - Miranda making an impassioned plea to put more Indigenous actors on TV, and earns a standing ovation. YES MIRANDA. What a star. Hope she takes out the Graham Kennedy gong as well. 

8:47: Shane "Kenny" Jacobson interviewing the Gold Logie nominees, which goes incredibly well when it comes to talking to Stephen Peacocke via satellite. The delay, combined with Stephen's earnest responses makes it feel like a breakfast television interview, not a gag between awards. 

8:49: Richard Wilkins is introducing Meghan Trainor, performing a "medley of her greatest hits" ...pretty sure she's only had 2, right? Meghan sounds like she has the flu and is dancing like a club girl at 2am whose feet are killing her. Lots of gingerly stepping happening on that stage. Not sure whether its the skyscraper heels or the skintight skirt, but either way, she looks uncomfortable. 

8:52: And as predicted, her medley consisted of 2 songs. THAT IS NOT A MEDLEY. 

8:59: Hamish & Andy presenting Most Popular Reality Program, and are announcing the nominees by way of a Bachelor rose ceremony, featuring the stars of the nominees, PLUS special guest Bachelor Blake. Well played boys. 

9:01: "Thank you Osher" "No, it's Andy" "Nah, you changed it" - Nice dig at Osher  "Andrew G" Gunsberg. 

9:05: The Logie goes to...The Block! Unlike previous years, the contestants don't take the stage, but we do get a shot of the Voss brothers - winners of Glasshouse - cheering and Shaynna Blaze perching on Neale Whitaker's lap. 

9:09: Jonathan LaPaglia (who I spotted in an episode of Castle the other day - SPOILER ALERT: he did it) and Gracie Gilbert presenting Most Popular Actor to Stephen Peacocke, again via satellite  from London. 

9:16: Oh damn, In Memoriam sections always make me cry. Rest in peace, Richie Benaud, you were marvelous. 

9:18: OH MOTHERFUCKERS WHY DID YOU HAVE TO USE 'TIME TO SAY GOODBYE' AS THE SOUNDTRACK TO THIS SEGMENT. Unlike any other, this song instantly brings hot tears to my eyes, no matter the context, ever since it was the processional music at my beloved great-grandfathers funeral. We love you and we miss you, Wal. 

9:21: Bah, I really hate it when people applaud during In Memoriam segments. Treat like a primary school merit award presentation: hold your applause until the end!

9:29: Shane Jacobson back in the audience interviewing the Gold Logie nominees, pulling out some stellar footage of a teeny Asher Keddie from Young Talent Time back in '83. 

9:33: Mick Molloy presenting Most Outstanding Sports Coverage. I don't really have an opinion on these nominees one way or another, but I did watch an awful lot of sport last year. When I was up all night with my tiny baby, the late night broadcasts of Formula 1, Wimbledon, FIFA World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Winter Olympics were far more entertaining than infomercials or televangelists. I truly was spoilt for choice, which is a credit to our world class sports journalism. (Oh, and the FIFA Cup coverage won the Logie, BTDubs.)

9:42: Sylvia Jeffreys and Waleed Aly present Most Outstanding News Coverage. God, that Sydney Siege footage is still like a punch in the gut. What a horrible day that was. Rest in peace, Tori and Katrina. 

9:44: Channel 7 wins the award for their siege coverage, and Melissa Doyle accepts with dignity and grace, acknowledging that it is a horrible thing for which to win, and not really something to celebrate. A much better acceptance speech than the one given a few years back by another Channel 7 journalist (cough Armatage cough), who accepted a Logie for their coverage of the NZ mine disaster and praised the team for their "amazing" work in such a "hostile environment." Yeah, these were the reporters who banged on the doors of the widows, and who said in press conferences that the firefighters should be sent in to the collapsed mine because "they sent rescuers into the Twin Towers". I can't imagine why they were being faced with "hostility." Ugh. 

9:54: The Script filling in last minute for Sam Smith, who is laid up with a vocal haemmorhage. Yikes. Get well soon, Sam!

9:58: Next up: Most Outstanding Miniseries or Telemovie. I wish I had an opinion on this, but I haven't seen any of the nominees. Cough. Anyway, the Logie goes to Devils Playground. 

10:10: Dannii Minogue comes on stage to present the Hall Of Fame award to Home And Away. There's quite a bit of commotion in the audience as she walks out, I would love to know what was happening. 

10:16: I don't watch it anymore, but I loved Home And Away as a young girl. I still remember being devastated by the deaths of Ailsa, Bobbi and Noah, and wishing that I could live in Summer Bay. 

10:18: Second Clausen sighting of the night! He appears to be crying, which is...unexpected. 

10:21: More awards not important enough to be presented live. 

10:27: Sonia Kruger comes out with one of the lads from The Script to present the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Outstanding New Talent. She seems a bit tipsy, although maybe she's just excited to be having a night out. New motherhood is tough, you guys. Anyway, bring it home, Miranda!

10:28: And the Logie goes to...Miranda Tapsell!! (NAILED IT TWICE.) I think this is a wonderful moment, not just for her, but for the wider Indigenous community, who are criminally underrepresented on our TV screens. 

10:32: Meghan Trainor back again. I have to say...I really don't get the hype, but good for her, she's obviously doing very well for herself. 

10:39: Clegg and Nina, I mean, Lachy Hulme and Asher Keddie out on stage to present the Silver Logie to Most Outstanding Actress. 

10:43: ...And the Silver Logie goes to Danielle Cormack, who is rocking a smoking hot jumpsuit. 

10:45: Asher & Lachy have hung around to present the Silver Logie for Most Outstanding Actor to Luke Arnold for INXS: Never Tear Us Apart. Unfortunately, Luke isn't there to accept, so...moving on. 

10:55: And the Logie for Most Outstanding Drama goes to...Wentworth! Well done to the cast & crew. 

11:04: After 17 hours, it's finally time for the Gold Logie, presented tonight by the sexy triumvirate of Kerri Anne Kennerley, Delta Goodrem and Kate Richie. I love these ladies, but I have to say it's strange not seeing the Gold be presented by Bert Newton. Especially when they cut to Patti Newton in the audience. Where is Bert?!

11:07: And the Gold Logie goes to...Carrie Bickmore! Who looks like she's been enjoying her first night out without baby Evie, as she gets her dress stuck under her chair and then stumbles on the stairs up to the stage. Go mama, enjoy the free champagne!

11:09: ...And this is when I feel horrible about making jokes, because Carrie is now making a beautiful speech in tribute to her husband Greg, who passed away after a decade long battle with brain cancer. I'm sure he's watching over you & smiling tonight Carrie, congratulations. 

#Beanies4BrainCancer

And we're done! Oh what a night. 

Ahh, to be a fly on the wall at the after parties...

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! 

The Academy Awards, Keira Knightley and #AskHerMore

This morning, as I fed Liv and enjoyed a cup of tea, I switched on the TV to find a panel discussing the best & worst dressed from last night's Academy Awards.

The conversation soon turned to Keira Knightley, who had worn a Valentino gown that I personally found lovely on her, but others had not. To quote Jessica from Go Fug Yourself, "I HATE this. I hate the non-colour. I hate the writing. I hate how twee it is. I just want better for her."

Cast your eyes over the dress in question, and we shall continue...

The panel on the Today show weren't impressed either, the main reason seemingly: "She's pregnant! Why wouldn't she show off her beautiful bump! Let us see the bump! You're pregnant, flaunt it!" Etc, etc, et-freaking-c.

And on Keira's behalf, I got mad.

Sunday night was not about Keira's baby. It was about her work. Her performance in a film, that was so brilliant it earned her a nomination for one of - if not the most - prestigious awards in her field. So maybe, just perhaps, she wanted THAT to be the focus on Sunday night, hmm?

I've seen her be quite vocal in the past when asked what she has deemed to be gendered questions - things like "how do you balance your work and personal life?" I can't imagine that she would appreciate her Oscars night being diminished to solely being about her pregnancy.

I just wish that women could attend an event and be asked questions with substance about their profession, not their dresses or their dates or the occupancy of their uterus.

Which leads us ever-so-seamlessly into #AskHerMore!

Overall, the #AskHerMore movement had moderate success on Sunday night. In particular, Ryan Seacrest from E! received a lot of attention for his red carpet questions. According to red carpet coverage executive producer Gary Snegaroff, none of Seacrest's pre-prepared questions focused on fashion. When he did ask the stars who they were wearing, he made an effort to ask both men and women. However, he still came out with some clangers, such as asking Julianne Moore about Eddie Redmayne's freckles, asking 50 Shades star Dakota Johnson which props she took home, and asking The Theory of Everything nominee Felicity Jones about Stephen Hawking's flirtiness.

My personal favourite though, which sounds like a joke but is too good to make up, would have to be...

When interviewing Birdman actress and presenter Naomi Watts :: "We would like to talk about your frittata. What went into your choices of what to put into the frittata?"

YES. MORE EGG-BASED BREAKFAST QUERIES HOLLYWOOD, I BEG OF YOU.

Yeah, I think we've still got a ways to go.

#AskHerMoreBreakfastQuestions

mamamedia (kind of) liveblogs :: The 2015 Academy Awards

OK, so this is beginning about an hour and a half after the broadcast began. You can thank my darling devil baby for that. DON'T YOU KNOW THAT MAMA HAS AN AWARDS SHOW TO WATCH LIV?! Inconsiderate.

Here we go!

1:30: Why hello, Neil Patrick Harris, you handsome devil. From here on in, he will be referred to as NPH - much quicker.

1:35: ANNA KENDRICK ALERT. What a babe.

1:40: "This side of the room is the other 7 nominees...and American Sniper is Oprah. ...Because you're rich."

1:45: Best Supporting Actor. I backed J.K. Simmons, as did the rest of the world.

1:48: And the Oscar goes to...J.K! One point for me!

1:49: Aww, standing ovation for Simmons, I love that. How sweet.

1:57: Maroon 5 performing "Lost Stars" from the movie Begin Again, nominated for Best Song. It's fine, if a bit flat. That movie though? LOVED it. And I'm not a movie person, so that says a lot.

2:01: Jennifer Lopez presenting Best Costume Design...where have I seen her dress before?!? I swear, someone has worn that to an awards night previously. Hmm.

2:14: As Shirley Maclaine presents some of the nominees for Best Picture, there's a nice shot of Michael Keaton chomping away on his gum. Lovely.

2:18: I've said it before and I'll say it again: LEGO MOVIE WAS ROBBED. Anyway, this is an awesome performance of Everything Is Awesome, which is at least nominated for Best Song. Needless to say, Oprah was feeling it.

2:32: "I'm Not Gonna Miss You" by Glen Campbell, performed by Tim McGraw - TEARJERKER. Written for his family after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

2:36: NPH out on stage in socks & jocks. You've gotta admire his commitment to a bit. But...I mean...with that body...why wouldn't you, is what I'm saying.

2:40: "They are 4 women, and in accordance with California state law, Meryl Streep." A cracking zinger by Jared Leto presenting Best Supporting Actress. I, along with everyone else, backed Patricia Arquette.

2:43: And the Oscar goes to...Patricia Arquette! (YES I PICKED ANOTHER ONE)

2:45: Hey, I just received a shout out in Patricia's speech! (She thanked every woman who has ever given birth...I'm taking it.) She also got a hell of a response from the audience when she ended her speech calling for equality for women. YES GET IT PATRICIA.

2:50: DAMN YOU DONAGHY. Chloe Grace Moretz will always be Kaylie Hooper from
30 Rock to me. The best damn teen villain of all time.

2:56: Zoe Saldana looks criminally good for a woman who has recently birthed twins. Ugh. Just stop it.

3:07: "In Long Walk To Freedom, he liberated South Africa. In Zero Dark Thirty, she brought down Osama bin Laden. In A Million Ways To Die In The West, I pooped in a hat." - NPH.

3:10: OH GOD IN MEMORIAM SECTION SOMEONE GET ME TISSUES.

3:13: This tribute is visually stunning. Simply beautiful design.

3:21: Terrence Howard introducing Best Picture nominees...anyone else getting hints of Joey Tribbiani's toast at Monica & Chandler's wedding? "WHY, GOD, WHY, HOW COULD YOU TAKE THEM AWAY FROM ME?" Take it down a notch, Terry. This isn't an audition.

3:31: Idina Menzel & John Travolta presenting Best Original Song. Squeezing every last drop out of the Adele Dazeem fiasco.

3:34: And the Oscar goes to...GLORY! Yes! Well deserved, congrats to Common & John Legend.

3:36: Powerful speech by Common & John, and totally deserving of their standing ovation.

3:42: Lady Gaga performing a tribute to Sound Of Music...I'm so glad she's just singing now, she's so fucking talented, she doesn't need all the bells and whistles. AND - she is stunningly beautiful. Which you can fail to notice when she's wearing offal as outerwear.

3:46: JULIE. ANDREWS. Bow down bitches. She is aging magnificently. See, ladies of Hollywood, it is OK to age! You can do it!

4:03: The stunning Cate Blanchett out on stage to present Best Actor. Team Eddie!

4:07: And the Oscar goes to...Eddie Redmayne! Aww. He's so happy, it's adorable. I love seeing people unable to contain how freaking excited they are to be holding that little golden man.

4:11: Matthew McConaughey-hey-hey presenting Best Actress. Alright, alright, alright. I saw that the odds this morning were $1.01 for Julianne Moore to take it out...so, y'know, it's a pretty tight race here.

4:14: And the Oscar goes to Julianne, surprising absolutely no one.

4:23: "At the end, it's all about the movies." Sean Penn presenting the final award of the night, Best Picture. And the Oscar goes to...

4:25: ...Birdman! The cast & crew onstage look ecstatic, methinks they'll be hitting the bar hard tonight. Michael Keaton looks like he'd be an awesome drinking buddy. Plus,  you know that man's got some stories. I'd interrogate him for hours about his 30 Rock cameo alone.

And we're out! All done for another year, and overall, it was a very predictable year. Not to say that the winners weren't deserving - incredible performances, all round - but there were no surprises.

See you next awards season!

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 liveblogs :: The 2015 Grammy Awards

And we're off! 

12:00: AC/DC opening the show, they've still got it.

12:04: Dave Grohl & Lady Gaga spotted getting into it, always great to see the celebrities unafraid to dance along. 

12:06: OHHH they're glowing devil horns in the crowd! I just assumed they were glow sticks. Nice! 

12:08: First award of the night is Best New Talent, presented by Taylor Swift, in a gorgeous teal gown. 

12:10: And the Grammy goes to...Sam Smith! As expected really, but I would've loved for HAIM to win.

12:16: Anna Kendrick in a smashing lady tux introducing Ariana Grande's performance. Full disclosure: I am not a fan of Miss Grande. I don't have much time for anyone who insists on being shot from one side at all times. By all accounts, she's not particularly pleasant to deal with. Anyway, this performance is one big bowl of 'meh'.

12:20: Jessie J & Tom Jones performing together next. Jessie's dress appears to consist of black cottontails and some spiderwebs. 

12:23: Chrissy Teigen spotting! Love her hair, love her dress, love her chair dancing. Love love love.

12:24: And the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance goes to...Happy by Pharrell Williams!

12:25: ...what is Mrs Pharrell wearing? I'm not loving the formal jumpsuit. 

12:27: "I'm gonna moonwalk off this stage right now." That's not moonwalking Pharrell, that's just regular walking. 

12:32: Uh oh, we may be having issues with the feed here in Australia. 

12:34: Never mind, we're back. Miranda Lambert now performing. Not being a country music fan, I have nothing to add here. 

12:37: A Lifetime Achievement recognition goes to the Bee Gees. Whilst on stage, Barry is also presenting Best Pop Vocal Album. 

12:38: And the Grammy goes to...Sam Smith! Again, expected.  

12:44: "This man certainly believes in himself..." Understatement of the year when referring to Kanye. 

12:46: "Why is he singing with auto-tune?" "BECAUSE HE'S AN ARTIST." - conversation that just took place between my husband and I. 

12:49: Miley Cyrus & Nicki Minaj introducing the next performance by Madonna. This should be interesting. 

12:51: This is...awkward. All of it. The dancers seem blinded by their masks and Madge looks like she hasn't actually had a chance to rehearse with them. Also, my breasts are hurting just looking at her leotard. 

12:55: Best Rock Album presented by Josh Duhamel and...two of the Patriots. Could not tell you their names, alas. And the Grammy goes to...Morning Phase by Beck! 

1:03: Best R&B Performance goes to...Beyonce for Drunk In Love. Another expected winner. 

1:06: Ed Sheeran performing Thinking Out Loud with John Mayer, Questlove and...damn, missed the others. Sorry to the other musical guest/s!

1:12: SPOTTED: Nicole Kidman busting out some epic mom dance moves. 

1:26: Hozier performing Take Me To Church with special guest Annie Lennox. 

1:28: Take Me To Church has transitioned into I Put A Spell On You...and speaking of spells, what kind of witchcraft is Annie using? The woman is aging magnificently. 

1:32: Meghan Trainor & Nick Jonas presenting Best Country Album. And the Grammy goes to...Platinum by Miranda Lambert. 

1:35: A very theatrical reinterpretation if Happy by Pharrell. Dark. 

1:44: A message from President Obama regarding the Its On Us campaign to end violence against women. 

1:46: "Authentic love does not devalue another human being." A powerful speech by a domestic violence survivor. 

1:58: Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett performing Cheek To Cheek. Proving that  she doesn't need meat dresses or facial prosthetics to entertain, when she has as incredible a voice as she does. 

2:45: OK, baby is asleep, and we're back for Kanye, Rihanna & Paul McCartney's performance. Such an odd combination, but it works!

2:53: Sam Smith & Mary J Blige performing Stay With Me, as introduced by Taylor Swift - a self professed fangirl of Smith. 

3:00: The return of Prince & his cane! Here to present Album Of The Year. The Grammy goes to...Beck, for Morning Phase. 

3:01: STAGE INVASION BY KANYE YES.

3:04: Sia performance introduced by Shia LaBeouf with some sort of rambling poetry. Eccentric as always. 

3:10: Song Of The Year, presented by Enrique Iglesias. Hoping for a Sia win, for no other reason than sheer curiosity about how she would accept the award. 

3:11: And the Grammy goes to...Sam Smith, again. Ahh well, good on him. 

3:38: Baby woke up, had to take another break! Jamie Foxx & Stevie Wonder present Record Of The Year. To Sam Smith, again. 

3:39: "I'd like to thank the man who I fell in love with last year, and who inspired this album. Thank you for breaking my heart, because now I've got 4 Grammys!" - Sam is the new Adele. 

3:43: Gosh I hate applause in the In Memoriam segments. Please hold applause to the end people! It seems so insensitive that a songwriter or agent gets a polite smattering of applause, and a Robin Williams will receive whoops and cheers. 

3:48: Hit fast forward through Beyonce's performance. Sorry Beyhive. 

3:50: Ahh, Glory. Beautiful song, performed by beautiful men. Hoping for another Chrissy Teigen cry face cameo. 

3:53: WAIT WAIT WAIT - What the hell happened to the feed?!? After John & Common finished, it cut to Sam & Mary J Blige's performance again and then the credits rolled? Is that it? WHAT?

4:00: OK, so it appears that Glory was the closing performance. If that was mentioned in the intro, then I missed it. My bad! Still, it was a jarring end to the telecast at our end at least. 

So there you have it! Sam Smith easily the big winner tonight, as expected by most. A few surprises in there, and notably no gongs for Iggy Azalea...which I'm sure a few people are happy about.

In terms of the bajillion performances tonight, my favourite was easily Glory - the night definitely ended on a high. Simple and elegant, which is all you need when the song is so strong on its own. At the other end of the scale for me was Madonna. I still don't really know what that was, but I do know that I didn't like it. And unlike others, I'm not going to fawn all over it JUST because its Madonna. Hashtag sorry not sorry. 

That was fun! Meet back here for the Oscars? DEAL. 

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!

mamamedia liveblogs :: The 2015 Golden Globe Awards

Welcome to the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards!

12:00: Aaaand we're off! (Re: time difference - I'm in Sydney, Oz, so this is being televised Monday midday, yet I'll be referring to the show as happening "tonight".)

12:01: "You despically spoiled, minimally talented brats!" And in her first line, Tina has referenced the leaked Sony emails about Angelina. God I love her.

12:03: "Boyhood proves that there are still great roles for women over 40, as long as you're hired when your under 40."

12:05: "We should explain...cake is like...a fluffy dessert that people eat on their birthdays! "And birthdays are something that people celebrate when they admit that they've aged."

12:06: Rewinding Tina's line about Amal Clooney, because it is just too good and I need to transcribe it for you so you can enjoy it with me...

Here we go:  "George Clooney married Amal Alamuddin this year. Amal is a human rights lawyer who worked on the Enron case, was an advisor to Kofi Annan regarding Syria, and was elected to a three person UN commission investigating rules of war violations in the Gaza Strip...so tonight, her husband is getting a lifetime achievement award!"

12:10: "...and Sleeping Beauty thought she was just getting coffee with Bill Cosby." BIG oooohs in the room at that line.

12:12: WOW that is quite the split in Jennifer Aniston's dress. Careful on the stairs Jen!

12:14: First award: Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. I believe I backed Ruffalo. Let's see if my blind pointing was right...

12:15: ...nope. J.K. Simmons it is!

12:17: well, my TV just skipped a bit during J.K's speech, so not sure if I've missed anything. I'm hoping it just went to an ad break!

12:20: Jeremy Renner is an Avenger, but J.Lo looks like the superhero.

12:22: Fargo wins Best Miniseries/TV Movie. I've heard it's well-deserved, so congratulations, Fargo team!

12:26: Billy Bob wins Best Actor, Miniseries/TV Movie for Fargo. Again, congrats.

12:30: Awkward North Korea bit with Meryl & Margaret Cho. Seems like it's dying in the room, too.

12:32: "HFPA President, and tall Dutch drink of water, Theo Kingma!" ...Can't comment on his tall-drink-of-water-ness, since he reminds me of another tall Dutchman - my grandfather.

12:33: Kingma receives a standing ovation for his moving statement on behalf of HFPA regarding recent global events. Very well said sir.

12:37: Best Actress - TV Series, Comedy/Musical: I backed Taylor Schilling for OITNB...

12:37: ...damn, 0 for 2. Gina Rodriguez wins for Jane the Virgin.

12:38: "Dad used to tell me to say 'today's going to be a great day - I can.' Well dad, today is a great day, I can and I did." Aww, what a beautiful speech. Happy for her.

12:39: Best TV series - Comedy/Musical. I abstained from voting in protest...

12:40: ...and Transparent wins. A seemingly deserving show, so well done to the team. I am gracious in B99-related defeat.

12:48: Johann Johannsson wins Best Original Score for The Theory Of Everything. They'll be partying in Iceland tonight.

12:49: Prince presenting Best Original Song...looking very...Prince-like.

12:51: YES! John Legend and Common win for Selma! Chrissy Teigen - Mrs Legend - is looking stunning as always.

12:52: Amazing speech by Common. Beautiful words about the faces of civil rights in America.

12:59: Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series - C'monnn Bomer...

1:00: YES! Nailed it! Matt Bomer for the win!

1:03: "And if we've learnt one thing, it's that famous people are above the law...as it should be." Love Ricky Gervais. What I also love: his drinking on stage.

1:04: Best Actress - Motion Picture, Comedy/Musical. I backed Emily Blunt...

1:05: ...damn. Ahh well, congrats Amy Adams!

1:14: Best Animated Film...I think you know how I feel about this one...

1:15: WHAT! LEGO MOVIE WAS ROBBED!! Everything is NOT awesome.

1:18: Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture, Comedy/Musical. Team Emma!

1:18: ...damn. Congrats Patricia Arquette! Seriously though, my tips are going abysmally right now. Good thing I didn't have money on this.

1:25: Oh no, they've brought Margaret Cho's North Korean character back. Sigh.

1:27: Awkward-funny Kristen Wiig-Bill Hader bit. Reminds me of her & Will Ferrell a few years back. TOMMY LEE JONES IS UNIMPRESSED.

1:34: "It's nice that men are finally getting the recognition they deserve." Sassy Jane Fonda is brilliant.

1:35: Best Actor - TV Series, Comedy/Musical. As with the best series category, I abstained from voting. SHOW SAMBERG & BRAUGHER SOME LOVE.

1:35: Congratulations to Jeffrey Tambor, who dedicated his award to the transgender community. Lovely.

1:43: I mentioned it on Twitter, but I'll say it again here: Lupita Nyong'o is looking absolutely STUNNING tonight. I think she's my pick for Best Dressed this year.

1:47: Kate Beckinsale presenting Best Actress in Miniseries/TV Movie - all I have to say is, she loves herself a high bun.

*** Had to take a break here to put Liv down for her nap, but I'm back! Commentary is now delayed a bit, so I'll be steering clear of Twitter, lest I be spoiled.***

2:10: Tina & Amy have had a costume change. Amy is now in a sleek, sexy black and/or navy gown, and Tina - oh God, be still my heart - Tina is in a lady tux, complete with undone bowtie hanging casually around her neck.

2:12: Best TV Series - Drama. I picked Game of Thrones...

2:13: ...I AM SO BAD AT THIS. The win goes to The Affair.

2:14: So not only was The Affair's acceptance speech played off, but they couldn't get them off the stage either. They were still milling about behind Catherine Zeta-Jones as she started her intro.

2:15: Best Actor - TV Series, Drama. I picked Dominic West through the highly scientific method of closing my eyes & pointing...

2:15 ...which turns out to be a horrible method, as the award goes to Kevin Spacey for House Of Cards. Next awards show, I'm doing my research!

2:17: "This is the EIGHTH time I've been nominated...I cannot fucking believe that I won." Kevin Spacey wins best one liner in acceptance speech tonight.

2:22: "Because in a town and an industry where it is so easy to lose touch with who you are and what really matters,  he has never been anything but real." Julianna Margulies and Don Cheadle are giving an amazing tribute to this years winner of the Demille Lifetime Achievement Award, George Clooney.

2:29: Oh my God, George and Amal are so cute, it kills me. I think they're going to make it guys.

2:37: "Fine, you can take your own helicopter home." - Anna Faris & Chris Pine presenting together are just adorable.

2:38: Best Actress - TV Series, Comedy/Musical. I picked Viola Davis for How To Get Away With Murder...

2:39: ...and my losing streak continues! Ruth Wilson wins for The Affair.

2:41: Best Actor - Motion Picture, Comedy/Musical. C'mon, Michael Keaton, break the streak!

2:42: The GG goes to Michael Keaton! THAT'S ONE FOR ME!

2:50: Time for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. Due to the one-two punch of musical and Kendrick, I voted Into The Woods.

2:51: Aaaaand The Grand Budapest Hotel takes it out. Wonderful.

2:56: Best Actress - Motion Picture, Drama. For once, I am #TeamJen...

2:57: OH COME ON! Julianne Moore for Still Alice. ...Although I do love Julianne, so I'm happy for her. Her turn as Nancy Donovan in 30 Rock is one of my favourite guest spots in a sitcom of all time. OF ALL TIME.

2:59: Best Actor - Motion Picture, Drama. Let's go, Redmayne, bring it home.

3:00: YES! ANOTHER FOR ME! Congratulations Eddie, such an amazing portrayal of an incredible man.

3:01: Awww, he had to cut his honeymoon short to come to the Globes. I am now extra happy that he won!

3:02: OK, we're at the tail end now, people. Best Motion Picture, Drama. I picked The Theory Of Everything...

3:03: ...but Boyhood takes it home. A deserving winner though, and one 12 years in the making!

And we're done! Sad to see the end of Tina & Amy's reign as Golden Globe queens, I don't think anyone has done it as well as they have for a long time.

And in terms of my tips...well, I don't think I need to do the maths to work out that I royally sucked. Next time - doing my research. Thank God I didn't have money on this.

If you're still reading at this point, thanks for sticking with me! We'll meet back here for the Oscars!

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!