Well, the Oscar race is most definitely on, and all eyes will be on the Golden Globes as a barometer of just who walks away with the industry’s most coveted prize.
“A Beautiful Mind,” “In the Bedroom,” “Lord of the Rings,” “The Man Who Wasn’t There” and “Mulholland Drive” are vying for Best Drama while “Shrek,” “Moulin Rouge,” “Legally Blond,” “Gosford Park” and “Bridget Jones’ Diary” are nominated in the musical or comedy category.
On the television side, Malibu celebs are well represented. Charlie Sheen is up for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for “Spin City.” But the soon-to-be-married star is no shoo-in. He’s competing against the often-honored local Kelsey Grammer of “Fraiser” fame.
Jennifer Aniston is up for Best Supporting Actress for “Friends.” Both “Fraiser” and “Friends” are up for Best Comedy. Are you following this?
Okay-on to drama. Martin Sheen is up for Best Actor in a Drama for playing the Prez in “The West Wing.” Castmates Bradley Whitford and Allison Janney are up for supporting roles.
The awards show takes place on Jan. 20, and, if the past is any indication, those PCH limos will be bringing back Globe gold.
By the way, the woman with the most Golden Globes is also a longtime local. Shirley Maclaine’s mantelpiece is stacked with five. So, good luck all. We’ll be rooting.
LEGAL ACTION
They were serving dinner and justice at the Beverly Hills Bar Association Gala where Richardson Lynn, dean of the Pepperdine School of Law, joined locals Robyn and Rick Ross and Ronald Stackler to salute the organization on its 70th anniversary. The evening featured superstars of the bar as well as Hollywood heavyweights like Warren Beatty, Annette Bening and Garry Shandling.
The association honored celebrated trial attorney David Boies, most recently known as the lead counsel for Al Gore during the Florida vote count. Other honors went to Dick Wolf, whose “Law & Order” series is one of television’s longest-running and most popular shows.
So what do the professionals think of Wolf’s mega hit? “I think it’s very authentic,” former L.A. County District Attorney Ira Reiner told The Malibu Times. “There’s only one part where they take dramatic license. That’s when Sam Waterston’s character (assistant District Attorney Jack McCoy) actually listens to what his boss has to say. Other than that, it’s great.”
As for Wolf, I asked him the secret to the show’s success. Did he ever think it would become this amazingly popular?
“Not really,” he shrugged. “We just wanted to get renewed.” Case closed.