One of TV's all-time "funny women," Mary Tyler Moore has a statue of her as the iconic Mary Richards in Minneapolis. She'll get a much smaller but equally important one come January 29th.

The SAG Awards, the awards show without a “Best Picture” and “Best Director,” nominated The Help (film) 4 times over and Modern Family (TV) 5 times for its 18th annual outing (airing January 29th, 2012). Mary Tyler Moore, bajillion-time (really 6) Emmy Award winner and one-time Oscar nominee, will receive the Life Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild. Because it’s a more popular, bigger-name awards show, the SAG Awards usually skew toward the expected and often famous actors, films, TV shows. However, there are a few surprises of note.

Demián Bichir, who plays a father in East L.A. struggling with gangs, immigration, and providing for his son in the scantly seen A Better Life, knocked off more expected nominees like Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling, and Gary Oldman for a spot on the 5-actor list. Armie Hammer and Jonah Hill,

The cast of "The Help" (pictured) leads all films with 4 nominations, but 2 in the same category (Female Actor in a Supporting Role).

supporting actors from more widely seen and well-known films like J. Edgar and Moneyball, made the list. Popcorn action flicks like Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Cowboys and Aliens assuredly made the “Stunt Ensemble” set, which also sports Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows – Part 2 and X-Men: First Class. Kathy Bates does double duty for her work in Woody Allen’s film Midnight in Paris and David E. Kelly’s TV series Harry’s Law.

Twice a "Comedy Series" Emmy champion, "Modern Family" hopes to repeat at the SAG Awards as well.

As for the TV nominees, Patrick J. Adams (Suits) and Jessica Lange (American Horror Story) snuck into the “Drama Actor” spots. Betty White is nominated twice, once for Hot in Cleveland (assumed) and once for Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Lost Valentine (really?). But she’s having a renaissance and who am I to stand in her way? As expected, Modern Family dominated both “Actor in a Comedy Series”  lists. Maybe just maybe, though, the SAG Awards can make up for the Emmys’ glaring choice to shut Steve Carell out from an Emmy after creating one of the most memorable comedic characters of all time. It’s really only a hope though. Seeing two-time defending champ for “Lead Actor – Comedy Series,” Jim Parsons, omitted from the list could be just what Carell needs. Continue reading →