The Golden Globe nominees for 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards:

Best Drama Series
'Mad Men,' AMC
'The Good Wife,' CBS
'Boardwalk Empire,' HBO
'The Walking Dead,' AMC
'Dexter,' Showtime

Best Comedy Series
'Glee,' Fox
'30 Rock,' NBC
'The Big Bang Theory,' CBS
'Modern Family,' ABC
'The Big C,' Showtime

Golden Globe voters like to be first.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, whose handful of members will announce the Golden Globe nominations Tue., Dec. 14 and award prizes to the winners in a televised ceremony on Jan. 16, are the first major accolades of the awards season.

So Globe voters have a chance to recognize new shows and new talent months before the Emmys do the same.

Unfortunately, this year offers slim pickings for new standout series and performers, so HFPA members may find themselves nominating many familiar faces and titles next Tuesday. Here's how we predict the Golden Globe nominations are likely to play out.

When I talked with Ricky Gervais a few weeks ago, he said his game plan as host of the Golden Globes was to keep things rolling and have fun with it. He also said comedians are "meant to push the barriers a little bit and see what happens."

He definitely pushed a few barriers on the Golden Globes last night, taking potshots at Paul McCartney's marital troubles, Kiefer Sutherland's anger management issues, and Angelina Jolie's penchant for adopting children from Third World countries (too much, given the dire crisis in Haiti?)

Even Mel Gibson's alcohol troubles came up. Gervais appeared on stage drinking a beer as he introduced his next presenter. "Don't get me wrong," he said. "I like a drink as much as the next man, unless the next man is ... Mel Gibson."

Overall, Gervais' hosting skills fell a little flat for me. Next year, I suggest that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association consider Robert Downey Jr. as host of the Golden Globes. His Best Actor speech for Sherlock Holmes was inspired, funny and charming.

How do you think Ricky Gervais did as host?

Did your favorite actors and TV shows score Golden Globe awards tonight? Let's take a look at how things shook out in the TV categories at the 67th Annual Golden Globes.

Mad Men, Best Television Series - Drama. With competition from Big Love, Dexter, House, and True Blood, I'm really glad I wasn't picking the winner here. They're all fantastic. I wouldn't say that True Blood delivered its best episodes last season, so I don't have a problem with that one not winning (though I'm a big fan of the show). Mad Men is definitely deserving (especially the "lawn mower" episode), although Dexter and Big Love both had great seasons.