‘Glee’ cast, Fey, Baldwin among SAG TV winners; Waltz wins award for ‘Inglourious Basterds’

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‘Glee’ cast, Fey, Baldwin among SAG winners

LOS ANGELES — The cast of the spunky TV series “Glee,” about misfits in a high school singing club, and “30 Rock” stars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin won acting trophies Saturday at the Screen Awards Guild Awards ceremony.

Fey got in a sly joke about NBC and its bitter late-night battle with Conan O’Brien in her acceptance speech for best actress in a comedy. Baldwin won as best actor.

“I just wanted to take a moment to say to everyone at NBC, we are very happy with everything, and happy to be there,” she said.

Fey, who stars in the NBC sitcom as a TV producer working for an arrogant, charming executive played by Baldwin, paid tribute to him as her “current acting teacher.” Both won the awards last year.

“Glee,” a freshman Fox series, is on a streak: It claimed the best comedy series award at the Golden Globes.

The first film award of the night went to Christoph Waltz, who was honored as best supporting actor for his role as an energetically ruthless Nazi in “Inglourious Basterds.”

Skies were sunny Saturday but after a week of downpours a protective rain tent remained over the red carpet outside the Shrine Auditorium. Wearing a strapless burgundy chiffon gown, nominee Edie Falco was an early arrival, followed by nominee Tracy Morgan and lifetime achievement honoree Betty White in a bright blue dress.

“Basterds” earned nods for its cast and supporting stars Waltz and Diane Kruger. “Precious” was also nominated for outstanding performance by a film cast, along with nods for star Gabourey Sidibe and supporting actress Mo’Nique. “Up in the Air” collected nominations for star George Clooney and supporting actresses Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick.

Other films competing for best cast — SAG’s equivalent of a best-picture prize — include “The Hurt Locker,” ”An Education” and “Nine,” which also earned a nod for supporting actress Penelope Cruz.

“Dexter” and “The Closer” are up for best performance by a cast in a drama series, along with “Mad Men,” ”The Good Wife” and “True Blood.”

Michael C. Hall, who plays Dexter, is nominated for best actor and the show’s stunt team is up for outstanding performance by a stunt ensemble on TV. “The Closer” earned nods for its stunt team and star Kyra Sedgwick.

Last year, SAG’s movie cast award was presented to “Slumdog Millionaire,” which went on to win the best picture Oscar. However, this year, one of the season’s strongest best picture contenders, “Avatar,” was not nominated in any SAG category, all of which are acting, perhaps because “Avatar’s” best performances were computer-assisted.

The actors union will present 13 awards during the two-hour dinner-party ceremony: Eight in television, five in film and a lifetime achievement award to the 88-year-old White.

“Our show is so special compared to other awards shows,” said SAG Awards executive producer and director Jeff Margolis. “The fact that it is a show for actors, and it’s actors voting for actors for doing good work. It’s just different from the other shows, so we take great pride in keeping it different and special.”

On the Net:

www.sagawards.org