Golden Globe noms announced
Complete list of film and TV nominees

"I'm pumped!" James Cameron said before hopping a plane from New York to Los Angeles, where he hoped to celebrate with the cast and crew of best drama nominee "Avatar" at a screening Tuesday night. "It's been a 4 1/2-year journey, and this is not typically the kind of film that critics love, it being a genre movie and being seen as a big commercial movie." Cameron, also nominated for a best director Golden Globe, was pleased the movie also got some love in the music category. "I think this is James Horner's best score to date," he says. But he says he is sad his actors got short shrift. "Maybe there's a sense that acting for performance capture isn't the same as acting for a lens, which is going to take an education. I think that will eventually go away. Do I think they deserve it? Absolutely."

Morgan Freeman was shooting lions in South Africa when he got the news of his best actor in a drama nomination for "Invictus." "No shooting -- except with cameras," he corrected by phone, crackling over the long distance. "I'm actually in one of those game vehicles you ride through the bush." Freeman, who's been nominated four times before -- and won in 1990 for "Driving Miss Daisy" -- was still hoping to see elephants a week into his safari. But for the moment, he's happy to have tackled such a gigantic role as Nelson Mandela. "Of course, it carries special weight," he said. "This was a big project for me. 'Are you going to do it credibly? Are you going to make a fool of yourself?' It's a big thing! I get the impression from 95% of the South Africans who have seen the movie that we did good. So now to get a nomination -- wow! Very pleased, very pleased."

Anna Kendrick was seconds from heading onto the stage of the "CBS Early Morning Show" when she saw her name being read on the TV in the green room. "I was literally being pulled away from the monitor as they were reading Vera's name and my name," Kendrick says. "They were like, 'We need to mic you ...' And I was like, 'I'm kind of in the middle of something here!' " Kendrick's nomination for best supporting actress -- along with "Up in the Air" co-star Vera Farmiga -- is her first, and one of the film's six noms. Her celebration plans post-interviews include taking her brother Christmas shopping and looking for a new gig (she has "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" and "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" in the can and awaiting release next year). "I'm just trying to enjoy this moment right now and not think about if that means something better," she says of any potential future accolades. "Because right now, this is really good."

Sandra Bullock says of her dual best actress nominations for drama "The Blind Side" and comedy "The Proposal": "I am beyond stunned. Just to be included in the company of these amazing women I have so admired through the years, has left me slack-jawed with awe. It is truly an honor just to be nominated by the Hollywood Foreign Press, and I will cherish this moment with all the artists I have worked with behind the scenes, who truly make me look good! Thank you very much."

Tobey Maguire, nominated for best actor in a drama for his role in "Brothers," sat in his hotel room in New York watching the nominations with his son, wife and a friend. "I was genuinely surprised and excited when they said my name. I couldn't hear all of my name because, well, it got really loud," he says. Maguire's performance in the war drama is emerging as a dark horse, fueled perhaps by a party thrown in his honor last week at the Chateau Marmont by his pal Leonardo DiCaprio. "I was bit embarrassed about the idea of it, but he said, 'There's no agenda, let's celebrate your performance. I've been talking to folks who are excited about your performance. I just want to throw you a party, you're my boy, blah blah.' I honestly didn't expect it. And today, just hearing those names, there's some really talented folks, and getting to be a part of that was a real thrill."

Robert Downey Jr., whose performance in the upcoming "Sherlock Holmes" translated into a nom as best actor in a comedy, said: "My heartfelt thanks to the Hollywood Foreign Press for this wonderful nomination. I share this honor with Jude Law and all of my castmates, my great director Guy Ritchie and the rest of the team whose collaboration and camaraderie helped make this new incarnation of Sherlock Holmes possible."

Jeff Bridges fielded his fourth nomination -- he first earned a nom 25 years ago for "Starman" -- for best dramatic actor in "Crazy Heart," but he had childhood hunger on his mind Tuesday morning. "I plan on doing a lot of work towards ending childhood hunger in our country," Bridges said, referencing recent Department of Agriculture statistics of 16.7 million kids living in "food insecure homes." "(President Obama's) direction is that we need leadership and resources, so I'm helping on that side of it." Bridges has worked with the End Hunger Network for nearly 30 years, including providing materials for Live Aid, but he's worried about the under-funded safety net. "Kids, they're a compass to keep us on track, on course," he says. "We gotta get back on it." As far as getting back to his nomination, Bridges was happy to share it with musician-friends Stephen Bruton and T Bone Burnett. And his wife, who was next on his phone list. "I'm looking forward to getting on the phone with my wife and talking to her about it," Bridges said. "I figured I'd let her sleep a little bit."

"Brothers" director Jim Sheridan has known Bono and the rest of U2 since the early '80s. The collaboration has now led to a third original song nomination, for "Winter," U2's contribution to the movie's soundtrack. "People think of songs that are involved in movies like this as non-integral," Bono said. "And this is not the case here. We were involved in the very earliest stages of this movie -- before it was a script!" Bono, who now has six Globe nominations, and the boys are currently in New York recording. (As a group, they won the Globe for "The Hands That Built America" in 2002 from Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York.") "I really jumped on the idea of trying to get into this guy's head," the singer said of writing for Tobey Maguire's war-survivor character. "I am so pleased it turned out very well. We are very proud of it. Songs like this, if you're a songwriter, don't come about every year."

T Bone Burnett, nominated with Ryan Bingham for penning "The Weary Kind (Theme from 'Crazy Heart')," says that the HFPA recognizing their song should help it attracted broader attention among the listing public. "We're in an interim period here, where an old system is dying and a new one is being born -- but hasn't been born yet," Burnett says. "So it's difficult to get recognition for anything musically these days. It's just so tough to get things heard." Bingham adds, "A year ago, I would have never imagined that I would be receiving such amazing news this morning -- and I couldn't be more excited! It's already been such a remarkable experience being a part of this film, and working alongside such incredible talents as T Bone Burnett, Jeff Bridges, and Stephen Bruton. To be recognized today by the Hollywood Foreign Press for "The Weary Kind" -- together with musical legend T Bone Burnett -- is such an honor! What amazing company to be a part of."

"Not a bad way to start a Tuesday," says George Clooney, nominated for best actor in a drama for "Up in the Air." The film also received five other noms. Another film starring Clooney, the animated "Fantastic Mr. Fox," also earned a Golden Globe nom.

Composer Marvin Hamlish, nominated for his work on "The Informant!," says, "I'm very grateful to the Hollywood Foreign Press and very thrilled for this nomination. It means a great deal to me. It is wonderful to return to scoring movies!"

Helen Mirren has already won three Globes, but, speaking from her home in Los Angeles, she says: "This never gets old. Actually, I think you start off a bit cynically but come to realize the incredible importance of it for a film like 'The Last Station,' which doesn't have a big budget for marketing. You come to realize how important that is. And it's an kind of an ensemble film ... so I was also very happy that Chris (Plummer) was also nominated."

"The Hollywood Foreign Press have just given me time out from my 20-year midlife crisis," British actor Colin Firth says of his nomination for best drama actor for his performance as a gay man weathering the death of his longtime companion in "A Single Man." "My heartfelt thanks to them."

"These days it seems like the world's becoming one big international family, and that's a good thing!" Joseph Gordon-Levitt remarked after receiving a nom for best actor in a musical or comedy for his portrayal of a love-besotted young man in "(500) Days of Summer." "That said, I'm particularly happy and grateful to be honored by the Hollywood Foreign Press, an association defined by it's international, or shall we say 'global,' character. Moviemaking is so collaborative, the work I did in '(500) Days of Summer' wouldn't even exist if not for the film's director, Marc Webb, screenwriters, Scott Neustadter and Michael Webber, and, of course, my dear friend and sister-in-craft, Zooey Deschanel."

"I'm feeling crowned," jokes Emily Blunt, who was nominated for best actress in a drama for playing the regal title role in "The Young Victoria. "I'm just happy for the film because it needs this kind of buzz to be seen. Otherwise they can sit gathering cobwebs on a shelf." Blunt, who spoke by phone from the New York set of "The Adjustment Bureau," has been nominated twice before, winning for the TV movie "Gideon's Daughter" in 2005. "I might have champagne at lunch, which is probably bad because I'm on set right now," she says about a potential impromptu celebration. "I'm working with Matt Damon today, who's got a double-header" -- he was nominated for "Invictus" and "The Informant!" -- "so I just gave him hell because he's apparently trying to steal my thunder. He's the worst." With three days left on the "Bureau" shoot, Blunt is excited to "take a nice breather" and head back to London to spend the holidays with her family. "I've been playing a dancer in this movie, so I've had to be on this boring diet," Blunt says. "So I'm going to eat anything I want over Christmas. It's going to be good."

Julianne Moore, nominated for best supporting actress for "A Single Man," says: "I am so honored and thrilled to be among the Golden Globe nominees this year. I am happy for everybody -- particularly my friend Colin Firth!"

"Coraline" producer Bill Mechanic says of the pic's best animated film nom: "It is a very pleasant surprise and honor for our movie to be recognized with this nomination. The hundreds of artists who worked so hard and for so long on 'Coraline' all share in the joy."

Of "Fantastic Mr. Fox's" best animated feature nomination, Jason Schwartzman says, "It's such an honor for the film to be nominated especially considering the competition. I'm very proud for Wes and everyone who worked so hard to transform such a unique book into such a unique film."

The first people Carey Mulligan called, upon learning of her nomination as best drama actress for "An Education," were her mother and brother. "My mum was shopping in High Wickham in Marks and Spencer and she was trying not to squeal in a very discreet way in a grocery aisle. And my brother, he never has his phone on, and remarkably, today of all days he had his phone on." She says she tried to go back to sleep after the calls, but was too excited.

"I am so honored to be nominated for 'Nine,' says best supporting actress nominee Penelope Cruz. "I had an incredible time working on the film with such an amazing director, Rob Marshall, and with this extraordinary cast. Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press for recognizing me. I am also thrilled that 'Broken Embraces' was nominated. Pedro has once again made a very brave and beautiful movie and I was very lucky to be a part of it."

Marion Cotillard, who was nominated for a Golden Globe two years ago for "La vie en rose," received her second nom for her turn as a wronged wife in the musical "Nine." "Each time is unique in its own way," Cotillard says. "It was my dream as a kid to be in an American musical. It's an amazing movie and a very special movie, and I hope that people will be made more aware of it by this."

Gabourey "Gabby" Sibide, best actress nominee drama for "Precious," made a party out of the noms, watching the telecast live on E! with her roommate and manager. "My roommate bought a bottle of super super cheap champagne. We were going to have mimosas just in case I was nominated. And we did!" And the moments before her name was called were tense ones. "I just crossed my fingers and hoped really really hard," she recalled. "Precious" is her first acting credit, so while she had no real marker to gauge the movie against, others during the filmmaking process thought something extraordinary was being made. Sibide said the accolade didn't change her plans for the day, which included lunch with her father and a ugly Christmas sweater party in the evening.

"Elated. Amazing. Grateful. Blessed. Exuberant." Those were the words "Precious" producer Sarah Siegel-Magness used to describe her feelings Tuesday morning. She says the first person to call her was the movie's director, Lee Daniels. "I answered the phone, and I heard screaming. That's it. And I was like, 'Lee, are you all right?' And soon we all started to scream." Siegel-Magness also says the movie's long road only made Tuesday's milestone all the sweeter. "I think that the most blessed moments are usually that one that have a long road. And that everything great requires time and patience as well as perseverance and faith in the project that you choose to spend your time and invest your money into. 'Precious' is like that."

First-time best actor in a comedy nominee Michael Stuhlbarg fielded the news of his honor for "A Serious Man" from the Four Seasons Hotel in New York. "I'm so excited that we're included in all the celebrations," he says. Surprised that the film's screenplay by Joel and Ethan Coen was not nominated, New Yorker Stuhlbarg was still trying to decide how to celebrate. "I don't know, I just got up about an hour ago," he says. "I'm still kind of reeling from the whole thing, but happily so. Once I get back home I'll celebrate with my friends and family, my girlfriend, and all the folks within the 'Serious Man' family."

When Kathryn Bigelow, nominated as best director for "The Hurt Locker," heard her phone ringing and ringing early in the morning she says she "realized it was probably good news." I think it's a real testament to the strength of the material and the timelines of the subject matter. It sheds light on a really impossible situation both in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I think there's a real curiosity. It seems to have touched a nerve." She downplayed any real competition between her and ex-husband, James Cameron, also nominated in the best director category, simply saying, "It's amusing."

"I got up at 5:30, but I didn't really sleep last night," said first-time nominee Mark Boal, who earned a screenplay nom for "The Hurt Locker." "I was just lying in bed trying to steel myself either way. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced before." Boal's script sprung from a journalism assignment that landed him in Baghdad covering the bomb squad. "The film puts a magnifying glass on an insane and lethal situation," he says, "and hopefully this recognition will encourage more people to see the movie and see the kinds of struggles and challenges that the troops are facing overseas." The film, which Boal also produced, is up for best drama as well. "It's been a long journey, it's been five years," Boal said. The writer has another long journey ahead, as he was embarking Tuesday morning on a long drive from Los Angeles to a cabin in Mendocino County to work on his next script, "Triple Frontier." There may be a stop along the way, though. "I think it might be time to have a glass of champagne," he says. "Or 20."

"I'm ecstatic for the recognition by the Hollywood Foreign Press, and I'm thrilled to be in the company of the other writers and directors that have been nominated," says "Inglourious Basterds" director Quentin Tarantino.

"I am especially pleased to be nominated for a film based on a Roald Dahl book, as he has always been one of my heroes, and Liccy Dahl and the entire Dahl family have been tremendously supportive of our film," says "Fantastic Mr. Fox" director Wes Anderson.

"Up" director Pete Docter's day was scheduled to end with a flight back to Pixar's headquarters in Emeryville, Calif., but it began with congratulatory calls at the Four Seasons. "It's been an amazing year," he says. "We had no idea how it could be received. It doesn't have that really easy-gettable hook. It's an old man floating his house." Docter also called 2009 a banner year for animation. "There's tons of work being done, with all these different styles: hand-drawn, CG, stop-motion. And look at the way they are being used. That is the mark of a healthy business."

Ron Clements and John Musker were already riding high from having "The Princess and the Frog" the No. 1 movie in the country last weekend, so its nomination for best animated film was the cherry on top. "We did have champagne yesterday, so champagne for two days in a row is unusual for me," Musker says. "But we will celebrate with the staff and studio, though it may be orange juice this time." The duo acknowledged that the animated field was having one of its strongest years ever, and were happy that the hand-drawn medium was part of that. "There's a magic to it, and a romantic and warm aspect to it that is not seen anywhere else," Clements says.



Writer-director Nancy Meyers was in a full-blown IT nightmare at her L.A. home when news came in of "It's Complicated" receiving nominations for best comedy, best actress Meryl Streep and best screenplay. She could receive e-mails, but not send them. "So I'm reading e-mails on computer and then answering on my BlackBerry," she said with a resigned sigh. These are Meyers' first Globe nominations, and she notes the benefit of the attention. "We haven't come out yet, so for us it's an extra added help at release time." Although Streep earned a nom, co-star Alec Baldwin, who plays Streep's ex-husband-turned-lover in the film, was passed over. "Maybe things will bode well for him at the Oscars," Meyers says. As her film nears release on Christmas Day, Meyers feels gratified by what the nominations say about audiences' connection to the film. "There's something in this film for a lot of different people to relate to," she said. "Just this week, actually, two men who had been doing interviews with me revealed their side -- one of them went through this, and one of them went through it with their parents -- and how difficult it was. It was one of the most common things said at our previews on the preview cards, is 'I can relate.' "

Todd Phillips, whose film "The Hangover" was nominated for best film, comedy or musical, says: "It's so crazy talking about awards, and 'The Hangover' for awards -- other than maybe for the MTV awards. But I do think the inclusion of 'The Hangover" in the AFI's list the other day and now in the Globes sends the message that it's OK to make some irreverent choices in some of these awards."

Henry Selick, whose stop-motion film "Coraline" made it into the circle of animated feature nominees, was eager to spread the word with his crew. "Some of these folks I've worked with for 20 years, going back before 'The Nightmare Before Christmas.' We realized you don't get many shots, and we wanted to make this one count, so I am exceptionally grateful." "Coraline" will compete in a category that also includes the stop-motion "Fantastic Mr. Fox," and Selick says, "Some are calling it a renaissance, but it's actually a flowering of this arcane approach to doing animation. It's really nice, because it's really the oldest type of animation, going back 106 years. It's an old, ancient magic."

"The last time I was woken up by a 6 a.m. phone call it was 9/11, so I was a bit nervous," quipped "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" co-director Phil Lord. Co-director Chris Miller called it a banner year for animation, with "more great films than open slots." The two were enthusiastic about their competition -- "Coraline," "Up," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "The Princess and the Frog" -- and noted that the animation community is small enough that everyone not only familiar with each other's movies but supportive as well. "We're pretty nerdy," says Lord. "There are not a lot of highly aggressive people in the group. We are the people who got picked up in high school. We're all just happy when there are good movies."

"Up in the Air" co-writer/director/producer Jason Reitman, whose film was nominated for best drama, director and screenplay, was playing the whole thing nonchalant Tuesday morning. "I was going to try to get a beach volleyball game going ..." he says. In reality, Reitman was very happy to share the experience with his father, Ivan, who helped finance and produce the movie. "He was the first person I talked to when I found out the nominations," Reitman says. "It's the first time we've made a movie together, so to share this and to sit at the table with him a month from now, that's really badass." In New York to appear on "Charlie Rose" with his dad, Reitman is also making his first foray into late-night TV, when he appears on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon." Meanwhile, he's been texting kudos back and forth with his star, George Clooney, location unknown. "I never know where George is," Reitman says.

"Up in the Air" producer Ivan Reitman slipped a bit when he referred to the movie's six nominations as "wins," then caught himself. "I can't help it," he says with a laugh. "It's a father's pride." Reitman's son, Jason, is the co-writer and director of the film, who's been nominated for best picture as producer, director and screenplay as well. "I had every belief that he could do it, based on his other movies and my intimate knowledge of them," Ivan says. "I'm so happy that it worked out so well. Frankly, it's a greater thrill for me to watch on this end than doing it myself." Ivan's Montecito Picture Co. co-financed the movie, which the HFPA decided to honor as a drama. "It's really one of the best comedies of the year," Ivan says. Both Reitmans are in New York City on Tuesday to tape an appearance on "The Charlie Rose Show," and had a big pre-nominations dinner the night before. "I'm sure the celebrations will continue," Ivan says. "But the celebration is that the movie turned out so good."

"When the Hollywood Foreign Press overlooked 'The Longest Yard,' it's taken me a good four years to recover from it," jokes Sheldon Turner, who earned his first nomination for writing the "Up in the Air" screenplay with the film's director, Jason Reitman. "It's a pretty goddamn good morning, man, I'm not going to lie to you," he says. Turner stuck to his typical morning routine of working out to avoid any nomination announcement jitters. "It's sort of like when you wait for the hot girl to call you back, and she never does. My attitude with this was, I know that the nominations are this morning, I'm going to go and do what I normally do. But it's an amazing thing, and I'm still in that surreal space." For Turner, the film manages to be personal and universal. "It's amazing all around -- it's very rare for a movie to jell the way this one has, with writing and directing and acting," he says. "What's unbelievable is that what really is a small and personal movie has resonated with so many people for so many different reasons -- and that is really the definition of any great movie. This film does well and does good at the same time."

"Although I've received nominations before and I've even won Golden Globes in the past, every new nomination comes to me as a big and pleasant surprise," Pedro Almodovar says of the best foreign-language film nomination for the drama "Broken Embraces." "Every time seems harder to get it, and this nomination for 'Broken Embraces' makes me even happier than the ones I've had before, so I thank the members of the HFPA for making my day!"

Jacques Audiard, co-writer and director of the French prison drama "A Prophet," says of the film's nomination in the foreign-language category: "This nomination is, first of all, very moving for me. It proves that a movie can travel, that we don't just make a film for one's own country, for our 'home.' For an American, that might seem obvious, less so for a Frenchman. Also, if I make films, it is because I've seen films and read film reviews. I belong to a generation of cinephiles for whom seeing films and reading about them went hand in hand. Filmmakers opened your eyes, and film critics helped you think. I loved that. Now today, my film is nominated for a Golden Globe, and I am naturally very proud."

"(500) Days of Summer" producer Mason Novick says: "It's an amazing honor to be included with all of these great films. Thank you to the HFPA for acknowledging our hard work and for recognizing everything that the cast and crew put into this film. I think it is very exciting that we can be a small, character driven film and still stand out and be recognized in a very competitive field. This was a year with a lot of big comedies and I'm glad that our movie stays with people." Fellow producer Jessica Tuchinsky adds, "We are so thrilled by this amazing acknowledgement and that people are responding to our little movie. I hope I can speak for everyone that worked on it--we truly love it and are proud to get this nomination . I am so grateful that the hard work of Marc Webb, Neustadter & Weber, Joseph and Zooey is being recognized."

Sicily native Giuseppe Tornatore, best known as the director of 1988's "Cinema Paradiso," says of his Globe nomination for his autobiographical epic "Baaria": "As I've said often, it's a very personal film. So that lends a special sweetness to this, of course."

Michael Haneke, director of Germany's "The White Ribbon," this year's Palme d'Or winner at the Festival de Cannes, received a nomination in the best foreign-language film category, and reacted by saying, "It feels good! Film awards are the strongest allies existing for independent cinema. So I'm extremely happy."

American composer and songwriter Maury Yeston had never done film work when director Rob Marshall asked him to collaborate on "Nine." But after getting a nomination for best original song his first time out -- for "Cinema Italiano," a tune created for the film version and performed onscreen by Kate Hudson -- Yeston may have found a new calling. "Oh my God, it's a dream," he says. "I'm such a complete theater animal, I never really anticipated I'd be involved in the world of film. It's been a privilege to go to school on this project." Sitting in his den at 57th and Seventh in midtown Manhattan, across the street from Carnegie Hall, Yeston was prepping to celebrate by hitting the New York premiere that night with his family. "I always loved musicals," he says. "I started writing them when I was very young. My parents took me to see 'My Fair Lady,' and that was the inspiration. I've been doing it ever since."

Neill Blomkamp, nominated for best screenplay for "District 9," says: "Obviously, I'm over the moon. When we first began to think about writing 'District 9,' awards were the last thing on our minds -- we were just trying to tell a story that would resonate with people -- we never expected this. ... I'm humbled and flattered. And I want to thank Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh -- they believed in us from the start, and they're the reason we're here today."

"District 9" screenwriter Terri Tatchell adds: "Everything about 'District 9' has been like a dream, and I really didn't think it could get any better! Talk about the icing on the icing! Working with a creative mind like Neill Blomkamp was gift enough, but combine that with the genius of Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philipa Boyens and I thought I'd never be able to stop pinching myself. Then Sharlto Copley literally became Wikus, taking him beyond anything we could have ever written. And Christopher Johnson -- he already felt real to me, but Image Engine's incredible work made him real to everyone. What more could a writer ask for? I am beyond honored to have been nominated, but absolutely share this nomination with everyone who worked so hard to make District 9 the success that it was."

Abel Korzeniowski, composer of the score on "A Single Man," and a first-time Globe nominee, says: "It tastes great! 'A Single Man' has this incredibly sophisticated visuals and acting that goes very deep. You don't have car chases. Everything happens inside and you have to get there. The score has to help connect the moviegoer to the characters emotions."

Christoph Waltz, nominated for best supporting actor in for "Inglourious Basterds," says, "Thank you to the Hollywood Foreign Press, who have transported me from the unbelievable into the unimaginable."

"I am absolutely thrilled for my friend Helen Mirren and am so proud to find myself included in such glorious company," says Christopher Plummer of his supporting actor nomination for his role as Leo Tolstoy in "The Last Station," for which Helen Mirren also drew a drama actress nom.

Although "Nine" picked up five noms, include a best comedy or musical mention, its director, Rob Marshall, was shut out, but he issued a statement saying: "We're so thrilled to be included in such a varied and exciting year for film. I am incredibly proud of this extraordinary cast and the amazing amount of dedication and passion they gave. Working with all of them was pure joy for me."

"A hearty thank you to the members of the HFPA. I am delighted and very grateful to be included," says Daniel Day-Lewis, a best comedy/musical actor nominee for "Nine." "Congratulations to all fellow nominees and eternal thanks to Rob Marshall."

It seems almost unfathomable that after 10 seasons on "Friends," Courteney Cox is only now receiving her first Globe nom -- for actress in a TV series, comedy or musical, for ABC's rookie comedy "Cougar Town." Cox said she was "beyond excited" to receive her first Globe nom: "It is such an honor to be included in a category with such talented women and I feel blessed to go to work every day with an amazing cast and crew on 'Cougar Town.' "

"I'm thrilled to be in such great company, and it underlines my conviction that the best writing for women today is on television," TV drama actress nominee Glenn Close said of her 10th Golden Globe nomination and second for "Damages." Close, who was busy filming the FX drama and won the Globe in 2008 for her role as Patty Hewes, attributed the nom to the people behind the scenes: "I know I wouldn't have received this wonderful nomination if it weren't for our writers on 'Damages.' "

On location in Shreveport, La., for an upcoming film, Kevin Bacon, nominated for best actor in a miniseries or TV movie for his role as Lt. Col. Mike Strobl in "Taking Chance," woke up early, then went back to sleep. When he did get up for good, he turned on his phone. "And then you check to see if you got any messages. If you didn't get a lot of calls, then you know you're in trouble. Fortunately, I got a lot of calls." He says when he read the list of nominees, he was humbled. "Such great actors. How the hell did I get on the list with all these guys?"

Nominated for her seventh Globe, and first for Showtime's "Nurse Jackie," Edie Falco was all business -- unlike her outspoken character on the show. "I have loved every moment of working on this show ... and every person involved in the process," the former "Sopranos" nominee says. "It's a true honor and thrill to also have been recognized by the Hollywood Foreign Press."

Lead actress in a comedy Emmy winner Toni Collette continued to collect accolades for her portrayal of a woman with dissociative identity disorder on Showtime's "United States of Tara." "Insomnia is not usually this much fun," she said in a nod to the early-morning Globes announcement. Collette, who has been nominated for three previous Globes, received her first for best actress in a TV series, comedy or musical on Tuesday. "I am ridiculously happy for our show. What a thrill." " 'Prayers for Bobby' is a project close to my heart, and it means so much to have the Hollywood Foreign Press acknowledge my work and the importance of this small but powerful film based on a true story," says Sigourney Weaver, nominated for best actress in a miniseries or made-for-TV movie.

Michael C. Hall, better known as serial killer Dexter Morgan, tipped his hat to "Dexter's" Trinity Killer -- fellow nominee John Lithgow -- after he received news of fourth Globe nomination for actor in a drama as well as the Showtime show's best drama recognition. "Thanks to the HFPA for this collective and individual recognition," he says. "I'm very gratified that John received an individual nomination as well. His performance as Trinity is an instant classic."

Matthew Morrison, who plays club director Will Schuester on "Glee," says he was humbled by the attention the rookie show received from the HFPA. "I mean, c'mon, it's just ridiculous. I can't even believe it. This moment is not lost on me at all. I'm just going to enjoy the evening with no expectations of wining at all," said the first-time nominee, who's up against Alec Baldwin, Steve Carell, David Duchovny and Thomas Jane in the lead actor in a TV series, comedy or musical. Of "Glee's" writers, he says, "They can make Jane Lynch say anything she wants, and it comes out great. ... We just won Sectionals, and now 'Glee' is going to the Golden Globes. It's been a good week for us."

"It's such a great honor to be nominated this morning. I'm so proud of this past season of 'Big Love,' and am thrilled to share the nominations with our loyal cast and crew," says Bill Paxton, nominated for his portrayal of a Mormon head-of-extended-household in the Showtime drama. "A special thanks to the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. for their support. Your organization has championed us from the very beginning. We really are a family, and without my three beautiful wives I would not have made it on this short list of actors so I truly do share this with (co-stars) Jeanne (Tripplehorn), Ginnifer (Goodwin) and Chloe (Sevigny)."

"Glee's" Lea Michele turned her TV on to see if the Fox freshman hit was going to be nominated, and the "first thing I heard was that I got nominated," she said of her first nomination. "It's probably the most incredible moment of my career thus far. To say that my first nomination ever in my life was for a Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy is incredible. I feel so honored that Ryan Murphy wrote this incredible role, Rachel Berry; she's so much fun to play. To have moments like this is completely mind-boggling. I can't even believe it. I'm just a girl from the Bronx who's from musical theater, and now here we are!"

For husband-and-wife producing team Joshua D. Maurer and Alixandre Witlin, the Golden Globe nomination for the TV biopic "Georgia O Keeffe" brought them full circle. With their four-month-old daughter in tow, the duo was inspired to make the project during a visit to the O'Keeffe museum in Santa Fe. When Witlin asked her husband whom he wanted to play the part of O'Keeffe, Maurer answered "Joan." They immediately called "Joan," their friend Joan Allen, who quickly said yes. And it was Joan who called Maurer and Witlin on Tuesday morning to let them know the project had been nominated. Maurer and Witlin's movie set the historical precedent of having been the first film to be shot in O'Keeffe's home.

David Shore was going to join the writers and "have some champagne in the office -- and get no writing done after that, at least not very good writing," to celebrate "House's" third best drama Golden Globe nomination. "It means a little more because we're in our sixth season," he says. "We worked very hard to try not to have the show get tired and to keep it fresh. It's very gratifying to get accolades in Season 6." As for whether series star Jennifer Morrison will return, the writer/executive producer remained mum.

-- Laura Butler, Carl DiOrio, Jay A. Fernandez, Lesley Goldberg, Gregg Kilday and Borys Kit