The countdown to the end of Oscar voting is on, and the anticipation for this year’s Academy Award nominations is at an all-time high. The team at the Awards Circuit Podcast Roundtable from Variety gathered to analyze the current state of the race, the impact of the Golden Globes results on voting, and the potential snubs and surprises that may be in store.
The conversation started with a discussion about Apple TV’s popular drama series “Pluribus” with Rhea Seehorn before diving into the night at the Golden Globes. “One Battle After Another” emerged as a frontrunner with four wins, including best picture (comedy or musical). Chloe Zhao’s “Hamnet” and Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” also took home prestigious awards, setting the stage for an exciting awards season.
Chief awards editor Clayton Davis shared his impressive success rate in predicting the Golden Globe winners, highlighting the lack of major surprises in this year’s results. The podcasters agreed that Michelle Williams’ win for “Dying for Sex” and Teyana Taylor’s supporting actress victory were among the unexpected moments of the night.
The discussion then turned to the potential for surprises in the upcoming Oscar nominations, particularly in the female acting categories. Ariana Grande’s chances for a supporting actress nod for “Wicked: For Good” and the uncertainty surrounding Emma Stone and Kate Hudson’s best actress nominations were topics of interest.
The group also discussed potential dark horse contenders, including Apple’s “F1” and the acclaimed cinematography of Autumn Durald Arkapaw for “Sinners.” Makeup and hairstyling nominations were also considered, with standout possibilities like “Marty Supreme” and a potential nod for Billy Joel’s documentary.
The Oscar nominations are set to be announced on Jan. 22, leading up to the ceremony on Mar. 15. Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley, and Michael Schneider, offers insightful conversations about the best in film and television, featuring interviews with industry talent and in-depth discussions about awards races and industry news.
Stay tuned for more updates and predictions as the awards season heats up. Subscribe to the “Awards Circuit” podcast on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform for all the latest insights and analysis.

