The 77th Golden Globe Nominations Announced

The 77th Golden Globes nominations were announced this morning.  The Hollywood Foreign Press Association's annual ceremony, set to air at 8 p.m. EST, January 5 on NBC honors both film and television. Comedian Ricky Gervais is set to return as host. This will be his fifth time.

Below is a complete list of the nominees:

Television:

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series -- Musical or Comedy

Michael Douglas ("The Kominsky Method")

Bill Hader ("Barry")

Ben Platt ("The Politician")

Paul Rudd ("Living with Yourself")

Ramy Youssef ("Ramy")

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series -- Musical or Comedy

Christina Applegate ("Dead to Me")

Rachel Brosnahan ("The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel")

Kirsten Dunst ("On Becoming a God in Central Florida")

Natasha Lyonne ("Russian Doll")

Phoebe Waller-Bridge ("Fleabag")

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series -- Drama

Brian Cox ("Succession")

Kit Harington ("Game of Thrones")

Rami Malek ("Mr. Robot")

Tobias Menzies ("The Crown")

Billy Porter ("Pose")

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series -- Drama

Jennifer Aniston ("The Morning Show")

Olivia Colman ("The Crown")

Jodie Comer ("Killing Eve")

Nicole Kidman ("Big Little Lies")

Reese Witherspoon ("Big Little Lies")

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Christopher Abbott ("Catch-22")

Sacha Baron Cohen ("The Spy")

Russell Crowe ("The Loudest Voice")

Jared Harris ("Chernobyl")

Sam Rockwell ("Fosse/Verdon")

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Kaitlyn Dever ("Unbelievable")

Joey King ("The Act")

Helen Mirren ("Catherine the Great")

Merritt Wever ("Unbelievable")

Michelle Williams ("Fosse/Verdon")

Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

"Catch-22″

"Chernobyl"

"Fosse/Verdon"

The Loudest Voice

"Unbelievable"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Patricia Arquette ("The Act")

Helena Bonham Carter ("The Crown")

Toni Collette

Meryl Streep ("Big Little Lies")

Emily Watson ("Chernobyl")

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Alan Arkin ("The Kominsky Method")

Kieran Culkin ("Succession")

Andrew Scott ("Fleabag")

Stellan Skarsgård ("Chernobyl")

Henry Winkler ("Barry")

Best Television Series -- Drama

"Big Little Lies"

"The Crown"

"Killing Eve"

"The Morning Show"

"Succession"

Best Television Series -- Musical or Comedy

"Barry"

"Fleabag"

"The Kominsky Method"

"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"

"The Politician"

Movies:

Best Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy

"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"

"Jojo Rabbit"

"Knives Out"

"Rocketman"

"Dolemite Is My Name"

Best Motion Picture -- Drama

"The Irishman"

"Marriage Story"

"1917"

"Joker"

"The Two Popes"

Best Motion Picture -- Foreign Language

"The Farewell"

"Pain and Glory"

"Portrait of a Lady on Fire"

"Parasite"

"Les Misérables"

Best Screenplay -- Motion Picture

Noah Baumbach ("Marriage Story")

Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won ("Parasite")

Anthony McCarten ("The Two Popes")

Quentin Tarantino ("Once Upon a Time in Hollywood")

Steven Zaillian ("The Irishman")

Best Original Song -- Motion Picture

"Beautiful Ghosts" ("Cats")

"(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" ("Rocketman")

"Into the Unknown" ("Frozen II")

"Spirit" ("The Lion King")

"Stand Up" ("Harriet")

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture

Tom Hanks ("A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood")

Anthony Hopkins ("The Two Popes")

Al Pacino ("The Irishman")

Joe Pesci ("The Irishman")

Brad Pitt ("Once Upon a Time in Hollywood")

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture

Kathy Bates ("Richard Jewell")

Annette Bening ("The Report")

Laura Dern ("Marriage Story")

Jennifer Lopez ("Hustlers")

Margot Robbie ("Bombshell")

Best Actor in a Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy

Daniel Craig ("Knives Out")

Roman Griffin Davis ("Jojo Rabbit")

Leonardo DiCaprio ("Once Upon a Time in Hollywood")

Taron Egerton ("Rocketman")

Eddie Murphy ("Dolemite Is My Name")

Best Motion Picture -- Animated

"Frozen II"

"How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World"

"Missing Link"

"Toy Story 4"

"Lion King"

Best Actor in a Motion Picture -- Drama

Christian Bale ("Ford v Ferrari")

Antonio Banderas ("Pain and Glory")

Adam Driver ("Marriage Story")

Joaquin Phoenix ("Joker")

Jonathan Pryce ("The Two Popes")

Best Actress in a Motion Picture -- Drama

Cynthia Erivo ("Harriet")

Scarlett Johansson ("Marriage Story")

Saoirse Ronan ("Little Women")

Charlize Theron ("Bombshell")

Renée Zellweger ("Judy")

Best Actress in a Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy

Awkwafina ("The Farewell")

Ana de Armas ("Knives Out")

Cate Blanchett ("Where'd You Go, Bernadette")

Beanie Feldstein ("Booksmart")

Emma Thompson ("Late Night")

Best Actor in a Motion Picture -- Musical or Comedy

Daniel Craig ("Knives Out")

Roman Griffin Davis ("Jojo Rabbit")

Leonardo Dicaprio ("Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood")

Taron Egerton ("Rocketman")

Eddie Murphy ("Dolemite is My Name")

Best Director -- Motion Picture

Bong Joon-ho ("Parasite")

Sam Mendes ("1917")

Todd Phillips ("Joker")

Martin Scorsese ("The Irishman")

Quentin Tarantino ("Once Upon a Time in Hollywood")

Wonder Woman 1984 Set For June 5 Release

Nico Santos Talks About His Role On 'Superstore'

Nico Santos as Mateo on NBC's Superstore

 By Darlene Donloe

Nico Santos plays the hilarious Mateo on the NBC workplace comedy Superstore, which airs on Thursdays at 8 p.m.

The show, which originally aired November 30, 2015, is about a motley crew of employees at a supersized megastore.

The show stars America Ferrera, Ben Feldman, Mark McKinney, Lauren Ash, Colton Dunn, Nichole Bloom, Kaliko Kauahi and Santos.

Santos is in a good mood. He’s anxious to talk about the role he has inhabited for the last four years. Immediately likable with a tattooed smile on his face, the first time you meet Santos, it’s like meeting a new friend. He draws you in with warmth, charm and pleasant personality.

Nico Santos

I recently caught up with Santos at an NBC/Universal event to talk about his role on Superstore.

DD: Tell me how you first got the role.

NS: The role of Mateo was a straight Latino guy. He was a family man and intimidating. He’s a tough guy at work.  When I first came on board, none of the characters on the show had specific ethnicities except Mateo. When I looked at the sides at the audition I said to myself ‘this is someone I know.’

DD:  Since you felt you knew who Mateo was from the beginning, did you work closely with the writers to develop him and give him a voice?  Are you able to improvise or adlib?

NS:  We are allowed to improvise.  When we film we do a fun run and we can do whatever we want.  When scripts come in, if there is something there that we don't think the character would do, we’re able to say so.  Sometimes there are jokes that need fine-tuning. We tweak stuff then.  It’s an open process. It’s not like that on most sites. Five seasons in and we know the character inside and out.

DD:  What is the best part of playing Mateo?

NS: That he is extremely honest.

DD:  What is the worst part?

NS:  That he’s extremely honest.

DD:  When the show first started, did you think you would get to season five?

NS: I did not think we would get to five seasons.  I honestly had no clue. Before Superstore, I had only booked a few other restaurants. Yes, restaurants. I was a host at Terrine, and at LACMA restaurants making $10 an hour. I had a lot to learn about the business. Booking the pilot was interesting.  After the series got a back nine – then we got to season two, it was incredible.  I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’m so fortunate to have a steady job, but the feeling can go away.

DD:  When you first realized you were on a hit show, what was your first indulgence?

NS:  I bought a Cartier watch. I worked at Neiman Marcus about 15 years ago. I had seen the watch. I thought to myself, ‘I am never in a million years going to make enough money to buy that watch.’  It felt amazing. I was hemming and hawing about that being a lot of money for a singular thing. Wearing it reminds me of the blood, sweat, and tears it took to get here.

Lyric Ross Is Making Her Way on 'This Is Us'

Lyric Ross is Dasia on 'This Is Us'

Looking every bit the television star, and well beyond her 16 years, Lyric Ross is growing into both herself and her role in the hit NBC drama, This Is Us.

Starring as the once-troubled character, Dasia, Ross’ role has expanded from a two or three episode guest star role to a permanent cast member where her storyline has become fully developed.  Up next for her is an animated Netflix film.

Today Ross is dressed in a black, sparkly top, black leather skirt, with her hair up.  Although she is 16, her maturity makes her look much older. 

I recently caught up with the young thespian from Chicago at an NBC luncheon to talk about her role in the show and acting in general.

DD: When you got the call to do This Is Us – what did they tell you about your character?

LR: My agency told me there was a guest star role on This Is Us. I hadn’t heard about the show. I thought to myself, it’s another audition for another role. They said I should really go out for it.  They sent me some audition sides and I did a monologue.  I also sent a self-tape but I didn’t hear anything for two weeks and then I heard about a countrywide search for the character. I did the audition again. About two weeks after that I heard they loved me. They then flew me to Los Angeles for a weekend. Three days later, I got the part.

DD: What do you like/dislike about your character?

I like that Dasia won’t take any mess. She’s very observant about everything going on around her. What I’m not cool with is how she kind of builds all of this rage up in her until she explodes on everybody. I can understand how everything can build up, but that’s not the way to handle that.

She’s a closed in person. I’m closed in some time. It takes me a while to open up to people, especially when I don't know them.

DD: Why did you want to be an actress? 

LR: I’ve been wanting to act since I could remember. My mom put me with an agency when I was seven-years-old. I had my first project at eight. I did a photoshoot for Jet magazine. I did a Dawn and Cascade ad. I loved it so much. I did not want to go to sleep or miss anything.

DD: What did you expect when you got into entertainment?

LR: I just expected to do what I love. I didn't want anything else. I didn’t know about all the press and pictures and stuff or that it came with acting.  I really just wanted to be on film. It wasn't about fame. I didn't really want all the attention to be on me. Now that it has happened, I’m much better than I was before. It’s still different. It’s an industry that is weird at times. I’m handling it pretty smoothly. I’m making sure that I’m always observant.  

Lyric Ross 

DD:  Is the show challenging for you?

LR: The show is a challenge in a good way, especially with the love interest.  I love where they are going with this. I like how they are bringing her a boyfriend.

DD: Was it supposed to be a couple episodes run, or were you always going to become part of the family?

LR: All I knew at first, was the character was to be on for two or three episodes. In my mind, I wanted to knock it out of the park. I tried my best. When they saw the character, they wanted it to go further. At the end of season two, I get a call saying they want me to be a series regular. It was crazy. I was just like, thank you, Jesus. None of this would have happened without Him.

DD: What would you like to see happen with Dasia?

LR: I don’t know.  The character is stretching me as an actress.

The cast of 'This Is Us'

DD: What is it like working with the cast?

LR: Working with the cast – they are amazing. I already feel like more than a guest artist. They made me feel part of the family, that says a lot. A lot of actors wouldn't do that for you. It felt good to be part of a cast like that.

DD: What would people be surprised to know about you?

LR: I am very camera shy. Every time people want to take pictures of me, I am camera shy. But that’s ok. I’m so excited. I’ve only just begun.

Bad Boys For Life Set To Hit Theaters January 17

January 17, 2020 

The Bad Boys Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are back together for one last ride in the highly anticipated Bad Boys for Life.

Directed By:

Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah

Written by: 

Joe Carnahan and Chris Bremner

Produced by: 

Jerry Bruckheimer

Will Smith

Doug Belgrad

Executive Producers:

Barry Waldman

Chad Oman

Mike Stenson

Cast: 

Will Smith

Martin Lawrence

Vanessa Hudgens

Alexander Ludwig

Charles Melton

Paola Nunez

Kate Del Castillo

Nicky Jam

and Joe Pantoliano

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Opens In U.S. Theaters December 20

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.

The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley, and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Chris Terrio & J.J. Abrams and the story is by Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow and J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio, based on characters created by George Lucas. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in U.S. theaters on December 20.

Antebellum Thriller To Hit Theaters April 24, 2020

ANTEBELLUM is a terrifying thriller from the producer of the acclaimed films GET OUT and US, and groundbreaking directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz (Bush+Renz) - an exciting

new voice in filmmaking. Starring Janelle Monįe, Marque Richardson II, Eric Lang, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons, Tongayi Chirisa, Gabourey Sidibe, Rob Aramayo, Lily Cowles, and Jena

Malone.

Successful author Veronica Henley (Janelle Monaģe) finds herself trapped in a horrifying reality and must uncover the mind-bending mystery before it’s too late.

Cast: Janelle Monįe, Marque Richardson II, Eric Lang, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons, Tongayi Chirisa, Gabourey Sidibe, Rob Aramayo, Lily Cowles, and Jena Malone

Written and Directed by Gerard Bush & Christopher Renz     

Produced by: Gerard Bush, Christopher Renz, Raymond Mansfield, Sean McKittrick, Zev Foreman, Lezlie Wills          

                                          

ANTEBELLUM hits theatres on April 24, 2020!