Golden Globe Winner Predictions: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical

The competition:

Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm) plays Kazakh journalist Borat Sagdiyev. Cohen won this award in 2006 for the first “Borat” movie and is also nominated this year for his performance in “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” Both films are nominated for in other categories and for the top prizes. This is third year in a row that Cohen has been a Globe nominee after TV bids for “Who Is America?” and “The Spy.”

James Corden (The Prom) plays over-the-top actor Barry Glickman. This is Corden’s first nomination. His film contends for Best Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical.

Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) plays founding father Alexander Hamilton. He was nominated in this category two years ago for “Mary Poppins Returns” and in 2016 for a song from “Moana.” His filmed stage production is also nominated for Best Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical.

Dev Patel (The Personal History of David Copperfield) plays the famed title character. He was previously nominated in 2016 for his performance in “Lion.” He is the only representative from his film.

Andy Samberg (Palm Springs) plays aimless day-experiencer Nyles. He won a Globe in 2013 for “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” His film is also nominated for Best Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical.

Additional notes: None of these performances are nominated for SAG Awards. The winner of this category sometimes goes on to be nominated for an Oscar, and two victors – Jean Dujardin and Jamie Foxx – have actually won the Oscar. Two recent winners, Taron Egerton and James Franco, were ultimately not nominated for the Oscar, though in both cases, one man who lost to them did make the cut.
Who should win? I loved Samberg and it would be so great to see him win. Cohen is a fine choice too. Miranda does deserve awards but I’m not sold on this being a movie.
Who will win? I’m torn between Miranda and Cohen, opting tentatively for the latter.