MUMBAI: ABC's sitcom Desperate Housewives, which turned around the fortunes of the network, has won big at the Screen Actors Guild (Sag) awards held on Saturday night.
It won for best ensemble in a comedy series as well as for its lead Teri Hatcher. In India, the event aired on Zee English on 6 February.
Meanwhile Jennifer Garner who stars in the action packed Alias, also picked up an award in the drama category. When Garner was asked how she stayed grounded amid the madness of celebrity, she said, "If you're normal, you're normal. If you have a little bit of crazy in you, this (all the press attention) can exacerbate it. If you're normal, with a little crazy, like me, hopefully you lean toward the okay side."
Garner also suggested that there should be stricter laws legislated against celebrity photographers. "I think we need to work on some laws to handle the growing problem with the papparazzi in this country. Winning the Sag Award reminded me that I am not just an action chick. When I trained as an actor, I learned to speak lines and engage in scenes. When we shoot Alias what we're really doing is reading scenes by JJ Abrams and being directed by people like Ken Olin and our wonderful stable of directors."
Tony Shalhoub who won for playing the title role in Monk took time out to thank the guest stars who appeared in select episodes. He noted that it was not easy for someone to come in and straight away connect with the story as well as have a good rapport with the director, cast and crew who work daily with each other.
The Oscars are the next stop on 27 February. If the Sag vote is any indication then it is going to be a close call to choose between The Aviator, Million Dollar Baby and Sideways. The last name took everybody by surprise by winning the award for best ensemble in a motion picture at the Sag Awards.
Last month the Producers Guild had chosen The Aviator as the best film of 2004. Complicating affairs is Clint Eastwood's win at the Directors Guild of America awards. Besides directing Eastwood also stars in Million Dollar Baby. He also composed the music for the film.
