The Pop Culture Pundit

Kate’s Greats are awards given to movies, TV shows, and music that the author has viewed and/or listened to over the past month. These awards may celebrate underrated, overlooked, or obscure moments of pop culture that may not otherwise get the attention they deserve. Other times, they will celebrate the buzziest pop culture–but will always have a fresh take. Award categories may include, but are not limited to, ‘Goofiest Thriller’ and ‘Tiniest Moustache’ (the latter of which Timothée Chalamet wins by a landslide). May the best, worst, boldest, and weirdest win. 

Best Dark Horse for a Best Comedy Nomination at the Golden Globes: Freakier Friday 

^{Disney via YouTube}

The end of one awards season means the beginning of another, and it is that time of year (already!) to begin predicting Oscar contenders. Will body swap legacy sequel Freakier Friday be among the nominees at the Academy Awards? Probably not. But it could be a dark horse contender for Best Motion Picture–Musical or Comedy at the Golden Globes. Besides being a genuinely funny and moving film, there are loads of other reasons to consider: Lindsay Lohan is in the middle of what journalists have dubbed the Lohannaissance, so there’s luck on her side; Jamie Lee Curtis was previously nominated at the Golden Globes for the original Freaky Friday, establishing precedent; and Curtis recently won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, meaning she is probably still on the minds of many voting for the nominees at awards shows. On a related note, don’t you think Lindsay Lohan’s love interest, Manny Jacinto, should totally be a romantic lead in more films? Yes? So glad you agree. 

Most Wholesome Awards Show Outfit: Noah Wyle

^{Entertainment Tonight via YouTube}

Leave it to ER vet Noah Wyle to be the most wholesome man on Emmys night. The actor, who was nominated for Best Actor in medical drama The Pitt, later won the award and thanked all the medical staff working in his speech. Earlier at the pre-show, he revealed his suit was made by FIGS, a company that sells healthcare products for people working in that field and also supplies the scrubs for The Pitt. Wyle said at a previous show he challenged the company to make a suit for him as comfortable as the scrubs he wears on the show, and they delivered. Even if he hadn’t won the Best Actor award, he had already basically won the night with his meaningful awards outfit alone.

Most Enjoyable First 30 Seconds of a Dance Routine: Dylan Efron Dancing to “Milkshake” on Dancing with the Stars

^{ABC via YouTube}

Sure, girl group KATSEYE had the viral Gap ad set to Kelis’ “Milkshake,” but did they have Zac Efron’s brother Dylan aggressively shaking his hips on top of a table? Most certainly not. Dylan Efron’s hip shaking seemed to scare DWTS judge Derek Hough, which is crazy because I’m pretty sure he’s seen everything on this show. Maybe Dylan’s dance wasn’t the best–that honor would go to wildlife influencer Robert Irwin, who has practically already won the show–but it was certainly one of the most fun. And yeah, maybe I’m rooting for Dylan just to see him dance to his brother Zac’s “Bet On It” from High School Musical 2, but why not? Producers, make it happen on Disney Night!

Worst Luck on a TV Show: Paul Rudd Getting Killed Off in Three Consecutive Seasons of Only Murders in the Building

Paul Rudd has been an amazing comedic sidekick on many shows–Phoebe’s husband Mike on Friends, Leslie Knope’s City Council challenger Bobby Newport on Parks and Recreation, and Lamaze instructor Guy Gerricault on Reno 911. But Rudd has never had a role quite like Only Murders in the Building–and maybe that’s because since season 3, he has gotten re-introduced as a new character only to die each season. Consider this: on season 3, he was actor and murder victim Ben Glenroy; on season 4, he was Ben’s former stunt double Glen Stubbins, who was killed because he knew the murder victim of season 4; and most recently in season 5, he voiced robot L.E.S.T.R., who was pushed to his death off of the rooftop. Will Rudd ever be spared on this show that loves to kill off every celebrity known to man? Maybe if he shrinks down to the size of an ant and disappears into the quantum realm (I may have watched Ant-Man recently). 

Biggest Diva: Cory Ellison, The Morning Show

“Billy Crudup is back and that’s all I needed to know💯,” one YouTube comment reads under the season 4 trailer of The Morning Show. The actor, who has won two Best Supporting Actor Emmys for his role as slimy, snarky network exec Cory Ellison is by far the best part of the show–and now that it’s back, it’s a delight to see him. By the end of episode 2 alone, he is elated at the thought of blackmailing current network exec Stella Bak into getting his job back after realizing she’s having an affair with the husband of new Board head Celine. The conniving, backstabbing, and manipulation Cory loves to do always seems to backfire in his face; but he’ll continue to do it again and again, always to the pleasure of the audience. In one review of season 4, Paste Magazine referred to Crudup’s performance as an “utter delight” to watch, and it’s true. May this man win a million more awards for playing the most chaotic character on one of the most chaotic shows on television. 

^{Apple TV+ via YouTube}