The 2016 Golden Globes Nominees Have Arrived

It seems like only yesterday that we were all done with the major award shows for the year, but award show season is coming back our way like a boomerang. The 2016 Golden Globe nominations are something that have been highly anticipated, not, of course, in the way that the Oscars are highly anticipated, but in the way that an award show with a pretty decent track record for diversity over the past year is highly anticipated by those who, like me, get a bit tired of seeing nominations and awards go out to people who don't represent the diverse wealth of talent in America. But that's an argument for a different day. On Thursday, the 2016 Golden Globe nominations hit the Internet, and there were a few sure-fire nominees sprinkled in among some surprises (and some snubs) that will have the people talking until at least the weekend. But who really made the cut?

The sad thing is that, despite how many amazing shows there are on television these days, not all of them can make the list. Not just because the eligibility period to be considered for the Golden Globes is from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, but also because there are only so many nominee slots that can be used to recognize movie and television excellence. I understand that, I do, and I'm trying to be happy for what we have. However, perhaps it's better for you to run your eye over this list of nominations to see if you can be happy for the shows, movies, series, actors, and actresses who will be vying for that golden trophy in January 10, 2016, or if you're about to write some angry letters to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Motion Picture Awards

Best Motion Picture — Drama

CarolMad Max: Fury RoadThe RevenantRoomSpotlight

Best Motion Picture — Musical Or Comedy

The Big ShortJoyThe MartianSpyTrainwreck

Best Actor — Motion Picture Drama

Bryan Cranston, TrumboLeonardo DiCaprio, The RevenantMichael Fassbender, Steve JobsEddie Redmayne, The Danish GirlWill Smith, Concussion

Best Actor — Motion Picture Musical Or Comedy

Christian Bale, The Big ShortSteve Carell, The Big ShortMatt Damon, The MartianAl Pacino, Danny CollinsMark Ruffalo, Infinitely Polar Bear

Best Actress — Motion Picture Drama

Cate Blanchett, CarolBrie Larson, RoomRooney Mara, CarolSaoirse Ronan, BrooklynAlicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

Best Actress — Motion Picture Musical Or Comedy

Jennifer Lawrence, JoyMelissa McCarthy, SpyAmy Schumer, TrainwreckMaggie Smith, The Lady In The VanLily Tomlin, Grandma

Best Supporting Actor — Motion Picture

Paul Dano, Love & MercyIdris Elba, Beasts of No NationMark Rylance, Bridge of SpiesMichael Shannon, 99 HomesSylvester Stallone, Creed

Best Supporting Actress — Motion Picture

Jane Fonda, YouthJennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful EightHelen Mirren, TrumboAlicia Vikander, Ex-MachinaKate Winslet, Steve Jobs

Best Director

Todd Haynes, CarolAlejandro G. Iñárritu, The RevenantThomas McCarthy, SpotlightGeorge Miller, Mad Max: Fury RoadRidley Scott, The Martian

Best Screenplay

Emma Donoghue, Room Thomas McCarthy & Josh Singer, Spotlight Adam McKay & Charles Randolph, The Big Short Aaron Sorkin, Steve Jobs Quentin Tarantino, The Hateful Eight

Best Original Score

Carter Burwell, CarolAlexandre Desplat, The Danish GirlEnnio Morricone, The Hateful EightDaniel Pemberton, Steve JobsRyuichi Sakamoto Alva Noto, The Revenant

Best Original Song

"Love Me Like You Do," Fifty Shades Of Grey"One Kind Of Love," Love & Mercy"See You Again," Furious 7"Simple Sound #3," Youth"Writing's On The Wall," Spectre

Best Foreign Language Film

The Brand New TestamentThe ClubThe FencerMustangSon of Saul

Best Animated Feature Film

Anomalisa The Good Dinosaur Inside Out The Peanuts Movie Shaun The Sheep

Television Awards

Best Drama Series

EmpireGame of ThronesMr. RobotNarcosOutlander

Best Comedy Series

Casual Mozart in the Jungle Silicon Valley Transparent Orange is the New Black Veep

Best Actor In A Television Drama Series

Jon Hamm, Mad MenRami Malek, Mr. RobotWagner Moura, NarcosBob Ordenkirk, Better Call SaulLiev Schreiber, Ray Donovan

Best Actor In A Television Comedy Series

Aziz Ansari, Master Of NoneGael Garcia Bernal, Mozart In The JungleRob Lowe, The GrinderPatrick Stewart, Blunt TalkJeffrey Tambor, Transparent

Best Actress In A Television Drama Series

Caitriona Balfe, OutlanderViola Davis, How To Get Away With MurderEva Green, Penny DreadfulTaraji P. Henson, EmpireRobin Wright, House of Cards

Best Actress In A Television Comedy Series

Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-GirlfriendJamie Lee Curtis, Scream QueensJulia Louis-Dreyfus, VeepGina Rodriguez, Jane The VirginLily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie

Best Limited Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television

American Crime American Horror Story: HotelFargo Flesh and Bone Wolf Hall

Best Actor In A Limited Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television

Idris Elba, LutherOscar Isaac, Show Me a Hero David Oyelowo, NightingaleMark Rylance, Wolf HallPatrick Wilson, Fargo

Best Actress In A Limited Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television

Kirsten Dunst, FargoLady Gaga, American Horror Story: HotelSarah Hay, Flesh & BoneFelicity Huffman, American CrimeQueen Latifah, Bessie

Best Supporting Actor In A Series, Limited Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television

Alan Cumming, The Good WifeDamian Lewis, Wolf HallBen Mendelsohn, Bloodline Tobias Menzies, OutlanderChristian Slater, Mr. Robot

Best Supporting Actress In A Series, Limited Series Or Motion Picture Made For Television

Uzo Aduba, Orange Is The New BlackJoanne Froggatt, Downton AbbeyRegina King, American CrimeJudith Light, TransparentMaura Tierney, The Affair

Image: Universal Pictures