SAG Award Nominations: What the Critics Are Saying

Ah, the SAG Awards. It's our first barometer for the contenders in the rest of awards season's races. The nominations were announced this morning, and since then, everyone and their personal assistant has been sounding off about who is deserving, who was snubbed, and how bored they are with the mostly predictable nominees. Below, laid out nice and neatly, are the nominations for the major categories and what the critics are saying about them.

Film:

Lead Actor

Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook

Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln

John Hawkes, The Sessions

Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables

Denzel Washington, Flight

What the critics are saying: There is some surprise about Denzel, and many feel Joaquin Phoenix's work in The Master was overlooked.

Lead Actress

Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty

Marion Cotillard, Rust and Bone

Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook

Helen Mirren, Hitchcock

Naomi Watts, The Impossible

What the critics are saying: No surprises here except for perhaps Helen, because many critics thought Hitchcock was "forgettable." (We enjoyed it.) Some say Keira Knightley's work in Anna Karenina should have earned her a nom.

Supporting Actor

Alan Arkin, Argo

Javier Bardem, Skyfall

Robert DeNiro, Silver Linings Playbook

Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master

Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln

What the critics are saying: Leonardo DiCaprio's name is being tossed around a "snub," as is Matthew McConaughey for Magic Mike. There is some surprise about Javier's nomination, and hope that the SAG nomination will enourage an Oscar nod for a 007 flick.

Supporting Actress

Sally Field, Lincoln

Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables

Helen Hunt, The Sessions

Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy

Maggie Smith, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

What the critics are saying: There is some surprise about Nicole, and talk that Amy Adams should have been nominated for The Master.

Outstanding Cast

Argo, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Les Miserables, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook

What the critics are saying: There is some surprise about Best Exotic, and some feel that Django Unchained was snubbed in this category. Doubtful that Les Mis will take home a win given the lack of nominations for individual cast members.

TV:

Actor, Drama

Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire

Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad

Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom

Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Damian Lewis, Homeland

What the critics are saying: They're shocked that Michael C. Hall didn't get nominated for Dexter.

Actress, Drama

Claire Danes, Homeland

Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey

Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Asylum

Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey

What the critics are saying: There is some surprise that no female member of Mad Men's cast was nominated, and that Kyra Sedgwick and Glenn Close didn't score nominations since their shows (The Closer and Damages) filmed their final episodes this year.

Actor, Comedy

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Ty Burrell, Modern Family

Louis C.K., Louie

Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

What the critics are saying: They're surprised that Jon Cryer of Two and Half Men isn't on the list.

Actress, Comedy

Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie

Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Betty White, Hot in Cleveland

What the critics are saying: They are wondering why Julie Bowen from Modern Family was left off the list.

Ensemble, Drama

Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Homeland, Mad Men

What the critics are saying: It's beteen Boardwalk and Breaking Bad.

Ensemble, Comedy

30 Rock, The Big Bang Theory, Glee, Modern Family, Nurse Jackie, The Office

What the critics are saying: They're perhaps most bored with this category, which is sorely lacking in newcomers. Some feel it would have been nice to see the casts of New Girl, Veep and Girls recognized.