Golden Globe TV nominations: the snubs and surprises

Despite a blockbuster season--which included becoming the first cable series on any network to win the overall fall TV ratings war in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demo--AMC’s “The Walking Dead” couldn’t gorge up a Golden Globe nomination.

The zombie drama wasn’t the only one left out in the cold when nominations were announced Thursday morning. It’s hard to really classify a no-mention for “Sons of Anarchy” a snub, since the show is always overlooked, but considering its daring season and impressive viewership this season, it could’ve been the FX drama’s year for recognition.

HBO’s “Game of Thrones” also got passed over after making a showing last year. Taking its place--somewhat surprisingly, considering the army of critics who have panned it--was HBO’s “The Newsroom,” whose headliner Jeff Daniels also racked up a nomination for his portrayal of prickly cable news anchorman Will McAvoy.

LIST: Complete list of Golden Globe nominees

Instead, “The Newsroom” will be joined by “Homeland,” “Boardwalk Empire,” soon-to-be-ending “Breaking Bad” (Finally--after never receiving one!) and the only non-cable candidate, “Downton Abbey.”

That means “American Horror Story” was not recognized in the drama category after last year’s debut. A bit startling, considering the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. seems to be a big fan of Ryan Murphy’s work--but even usual suspect “Glee” didn’t get a nomination.

And wait, there’s no “Mad Men” love? The awards favorite got shut out of the drama category--though it kept its name in the game with Jon Hamm’s lead actor nomination.

PHOTOS: Globe nominations snubs & surprises

A welcome surprise was the nomination in the supporting role for “Homeland’s” Mandy Patinkin for his role as Saul, the bearded voice of reason on the Showtime thriller. The actor was overlooked last year by the Globes (and the Emmys!).

“Homeland” co-creator Howard Gordon said Patinkin’s nomination was the one that made him “smile the biggest.”

“It is so well-deserved, and belated,” Gordon said, jokingly adding that the beard is a “huge part” of Saul’s appeal: “It’s remarkable. You can lose yourself in it.”

On the comedy front, NBC comedy “Parks and Recreation” didn’t earn a nomination--even though its leading lady is host of the awards ceremony, proving that no good deed goes unpunished. On the bright side, the “SNL” alum was nominated for her turn as hopeless, Joe Biden-loving Leslie Knope.

And we’re leaving it up to you to label whether Lindsay Lohan’s omission for her portrayal of Elizabeth Taylor in the Lifetime opus, “Liz & Dick,” was a snub or a surprise.

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