3 Takeaways From The SAG Awards

It's hard to believe that we are rounding the corner to the final award show of the season.  With Golden Globes, DGA Awards, and now SAG Awards officially done, where do we stand?  Well, here are three takeaways to ponder until the 84th Annual Academy Awards on February 26th:

Photo:  Hollywood Life

1.  Here are your official Oscar winners in the Supporting Actor/Actress categories:  Christopher Plummer and Octavia Spencer.  No one can beat them.  It's done and the final Oscar ballots aren't even in.

Photo:  Hollywood Life

2.  Viola Davis:  She proved herself to be a contender tonight, but remember Meryl Streep is a formidable opponent who walked away with the Golden Globe in the same category this year.  Many voters feel that Streep is way overdue for another Oscar given the fact that she last won in 1983 for Sophie's Choice and she has a record 17 nominations under her belt.  This is a two-woman race for Best Actress at this point.

Photo:  LA Times

3.  Jean Dujardin:  Interesting and unexpected win for him tonight.  A two-man race that was being lead by George Clooney and Brad Pitt suddenly became a three-man race for that golden statuette.  A good thing to remember is that the Acting Branch at the Academy has the largest membership of any branch.  This could sway a race that some thought Clooney had locked up earlier in the awards season.

If you are wondering if The Help now stands a chance to win Best Picture after their ensemble award win at the SAG Awards, think again.  The Academy doesn't offer an ensemble category, so the Best Picture race is still The Artist's to lose.

What are your thoughts on last night's show?  Comment below and let me know what you think of my awards season assessment.

Calling All SAG Actors!

Okay, tonight is the 18th Annual SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards and likely, the last one with this name attached to it since both boards of SAG and AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) have paved the way for a merger of the two unions.  I have always loved how SAG opens the show with various celebrities stating "I am a SAG actor" and The Hollywood Reporter often asks actors how they got their SAG card during their roundtable discussions. Well, it's nice, but it excludes the majority of us who represent the union.  I, in fact, am a member of SAG, but I am not an actor.  I am an entertainment reporter and a host.  We even utilized the SAG New Media contract for The Web Files, but I have had my SAG card since 1999 during my days in NY.  I'm thinking it's time we honor the little people too, so indulge me on this idea, please.

So, here's my fun project:  Tell me how you got your SAG card in the comments section below.  I will feature all of the stories at some point this week because it is fun to see what show, commercial, or industrial gave you your official union start and that coveted SAG card.  Make sure to include your name and the link to your website. And don't worry, I will be sharing my story too.  Stand up and represent, SAG.  Let your voice be heard!  Ready, set, go!