Seemingly determined to wreak havoc on office pools across the country, the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. gave new meaning to “unpredictable†Sunday night in the television categories at the Golden Globes, favoring the new and new-ish over the establishment favorites -- and, uh, Lady Gaga -- at nearly every turn.
The surprises began with the first TV award of the night for supporting actress in a series, miniseries or movie, which went to Maura Tierney, star of Showtime’s second-year drama “The Affair.â€
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And they continued with two wins each for Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle.†The classical-music-world series, in its second season on the streaming network, won for musical or comedy series and its star, Gael Garcia Bernal, also won for actor in a musical or comedy, beating last year’s winner, Jeffrey Tambor, from “Transparent†among other favorites.
On the drama side, USA’s “Mr. Robot†also took two trophies. The critically adored first-year drama about a computer hacker won for drama series, edging ratings hits such as “Game of Thrones†and “Empire.†Supporting actor Christian Slater was also a surprise winner.
Falling under the heading of “predictably unpredictable†was the win for Rachel Bloom of the CW’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend†for actress in a comedy or musical -- the second straight win in this category for the female star of a low-rated but well-reviewed CW dramedy, which last year went to Gina Rodriguez for “Jane the Virgin.â€
Though Lady Gaga is hardly an unknown, her win for “American Horror Story: Hotel†was also a textbook example of the HFPA’s unpredictable taste. The pop star was awarded the Golden Globe for actress in a limited series, movie or motion picture, beating Emmy winner Queen Latifah, among others.
Likewise, the HFPA recognized “Star Wars: The Force Awakens†actor Oscar Isaac for his role as an embattled politician in a project that’s generated far less attention, HBO’s “Show Me a Hero,†which follows a battle over public housing in Yonkers, N.Y.
Still, even the Globes delivered a few “duh, of course†moments. Jon Hamm won his second Golden Globe for actor in a drama series for his portrayal of Don Draper in the final season of “Mad Men,†while scene-stealer/one-woman meme generator Taraji P. Henson took her first Globe for her turn as fabulous ex-con Cookie Lyon in “Empire.â€
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Golden Globe winners, including Rachel Bloom with her Golden Globe for Actress in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical, stop by the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards press room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016.
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Actor Sylvester Stallone, winner of Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture for “Creed,†poses in the press room at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016.
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Kate Winslet accepts her Golden Globe for Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016.
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Director Alejandro González Iñárritu, left, and actor Leonardo DiCaprio pose with awards for Best Motion Picture, Drama; Best Director, Motion Picture; and Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama, for “The Revenant†in the press room at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016.
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Winner Oscar Isaac for Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016.
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Taraji P. Henson in the press room with her Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016.
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Matt Damon, winner for Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016.
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Producers Mark Pybus, left, Colin Callender and Rebecca Eaton, winners of Miniseries or Television Film for “Wolf Hall,†pose in the press room at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016.
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Jimmy Naples, left, and Sam Smith, winners of the Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for “Writing’s On The Wall†from the movie “Spectreâ€, at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016.
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Aaron Sorkin, winner of Screenplay - Motion Picture for “Steve Jobs†at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 10, 2016.
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Director Laszlo Nemes, center, actor Geza Rohrig, second from left, and other members of the “Son of Saul†team pose with the award for best foreign-language film for “Son of Saul,†in the press room at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday.
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Jennifer Lawrence won the award for lead actress in a motion picture comedy for “Joy.â€
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Christian Slater took home the prize for actor in a supporting role in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television, for “Mr. Robot.â€
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Gael Garcia Bernal of “Mozart in the Jungle†wins for actor in a TV series, musical or comedy.
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“Mr. Robot†creator Sam Esmail, center, and the cast pose together after winning the Golden Globe award for best TV series drama.
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Maura Tierney holds her Golden Globe for supporting actress in a limited series/TV Movie for “The Affair.â€
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Jon Hamm holds his Golden Globe for “Mad Men.â€
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Winners of the best motion picture musical or comedy for “The Martianâ€: Simon Kinberg, left, Ridley Scott and Michael Schaefer.
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Pete Docter, left, and Jonas Rivera, winners of the best animated feature film for “Inside Out.â€
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Lady Gaga with her Golden Globe for actress in a miniseries or a motion picture. She will perform the national anthem at Super Bowl 50.
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Gael Garcia Bernal, Bernadette Peters and Lola Kirke share the Golden Globe for TV series comedy for “Mozart in the Jungle.â€
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Follow @MeredithBlake on Twitter
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