The 2011 SAG Awards, Television Division

The SAG Awards have yet to really differentiate themselves from the other big awards. Yes, it is supposed to be 'actors choosing actors,' which at least has the air of authenticity. And yet, they have yet to really earn the authenticity they so espouse. Regardless, the ceremony is short, and I had the time, so my thoughts on the winner in the television categories, after the jump... 

Best Actor, Drama – Steven Buscemi. It appears as if SAG, much like HFPA, went for the big, flashy titles as well this year. I have to wonder if the people in this union watch AMC, or they would have known that Cranston and Hamm both gave better performance this year. Again, Buschemi is GREAT in BE, but in a category this good, you really have to kick ass to deserve the award. And this year? Hamm and Cranston beat that ass until it was ground chuck.

Best Actress, Drama – Juliana Margulies. You know, I should really get around to watching The Good Wife, shouldn't I? Without having seen the show, I guess I can't make a true assessment, but I did see Elisabeth Moss in Mad Men, and I have to ask: Where's the love, SAG? Where's the love?

Best Ensemble, Drama – Boardwalk Empire. Take what I said about Steven Buscemi and Jon Hamm and extrapolate outwards. Except for where I would say that any actor from Mad Men could win an individual award, I can't say that about everybody in BE.

Best Actor, Comedy – Alec Baldwin. This is is 5th consecutive win for 30 Rock. So I guess that explains why he won. Baldwin is a cornestone of 30 Rock, and I can't imagine the show without him. But I don't believe he had the strongest performance this year; Ty Burrell performance was far more fleshed out, and he deserved the win.

Best Actress, Comedy - Betty White. Look, I love Betty White. I mean, who doesn't. But I've seen Hot in Cleveland. You know what she does? She says inappropriate things, and the audience laughs. That's it. Sofia Veragara should have won. End of story.

Best Ensemble, Comedy – Modern Family. Fuck yeah. Finally a win I can get behind. What I think sets Modern Family apart from the other ensembles (and here I admit I don't know what the criteria is for the ensemble votes) is that it so diverse – across age, across race, across sexual orientation – and yet you believe that these people deserve to hang out with one another. (Note: This is why Community should have been nominated and won, but I can only winge about the show not receiving awards love for so long.)

Outside of the MF family, all of the winners tonight seemed to have been an attempt by SAG to name the hottest shows as the best, a criteria I'm not at all comfortable with. Way to lose my respect, SAG.

Additional Thoughts: 

I know I didn't cover anything in the TV Movie/Miniseries categories. A) I haven't seen them, so it's not like I can contribute anything. B) I know this may sound closed minded, but I don't really consider them on the same field as regular television shows.

Have they always done this “...and I'm an actor” intro? Because it was just awkward. Seriously, I doubt the authenticity of some of those stories, they just sound overly scripted. But, hey, when you don't have that much money....

Are the SAG awards that big of a draw for soldiers stationed overseas?

You know, you would think starring in Arrested Development would garner Jason Bateman just a little more respect with the SAG crowd.

Malissa Leo is a socialist!

Is Angie Harmon really the best celebrity to be pimping out the official SAG Twitter feed?