SAG, Academy Awards on Velvet

The 15th Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards honors the most outstanding film and television performances of the past year tomorrow, Jan. 26, 9 a.m. The award show is aired on Velvet.

The awards focuses on the cast of a motion picture, the individual performances of talents as well as the entire cast of a drama or comedy series. The program recognizes what all actors know — that acting is a collaborative art.

Among those honored with individual awards were Daniel-Day Lewis, Julie Christie, Javier Bardem and Ruby Dee for performances in motion pictures, and James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey for performances in television. Last year, the Actors for a motion picture cast performance went to No Country For Old Men and the Actors for television comedy and drama ensemble performances went to The Office and The Sopranos.

Inviting only the who’s who of the entertainment industry, only the most respected will be part of the red carpet as the cast of the past year’s best-acted films and television programs get together with their colleagues for a memorable night.

On the other hand, hold on to your seats and cross your fingers for your personal bets this year as Velvet also brings you the live telecast of the 81st Academy Awards on Feb. 23, 7 a.m.

The nominations are in and soon the best of the best will be declared. Leading the pack with the most number of nominations, 13 all in all, is the Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett starrer The Curious Case of Benjamin Button including Best Motion Picture of the Year, Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Achievement in Directing, Achievement in Cinematography and Adapted Screenplay. The film is followed by the virtually unknown drama film Slumdog Millionaire with 10 nominations. Tied with eight nominations are the comic book adaptation The Dark Night and the biographical film Milk. The computer animated film Wall-E follows close behind with six nominations.

Programs in full coverage on Velvet are Evening at the Academy Awards: The Arrivals, Pre-Academy Awards 2009, The 81st Academy Awards and the Evening at the Academy Awards:The Winners.