Snubs and shutouts at the Golden Globes

From left, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo and Brian d’Arcy James in Spotlight. Open Road Films

How sharper than a serpent’s tooth to be snubbed or, worse yet, cruelly ignored. Among those notable stars and shows getting the coldest of shoulders this year are:

Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams

While Spotlight, the gritty tale of a newspaper's sex-scandal investigation, garnered nominations for best drama, screenplay and director (Tom McCarthy), the stars were ignored. Ouch.

The Walking Dead

Apparently being the ­biggest TV show on the planet – and dispatching hordes of ­zombies – counts for ­nothing. The HFPA doesn’t even deserve a dumpster to crawl under and hide from the angry mob of fans baying for blood.

The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Co-created by Tina Fey, this TV critics’ darling – about a woman reintegrating with society after being rescued from a doomsday cult – found few worshippers at the HFPA.

Straight Outta Compton

Critics and audiences loved this hip-hop biopic about the legendary rappers N W A – but the HFPA were not in tune with them.

Steven Spielberg

Just when he thought it was safe to go back in the awards venue, we bet it stings like a Jaws-sized shark bite to be left out of the best-director race for his accomplished Cold War movie drama Bridge of Spies, which was also ignored in the best drama category. Steven ... who? At least co-star Mark Rylance (deservedly, after stealing every scene he was in from the also impressive Tom Hanks) ­secured a supporting-actor nomination.

Quentin Tarantino and David O Russell

Spielberg wasn't the only director getting the bum's rush, as Tarantino's cabin-fevered bloodbath The Hateful Eight, and Russell's miracle-mop yarn, Joy, were washouts as well.

Better Call Saul

While Bob Odenkirk did leverage a best-actor nod, he should sue the Golden Globes back to the stone age for throwing out his Breaking Bad prequel from the TV-drama competition.

Tatiana Maslany, Johnny Depp, Kevin Spacey, and the entire cast of Game of Thrones

Maslany is the chameleon-like star of TV's acclaimed Orphan Black. Depp transformed himself into real-life Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger in Black Mass. And Spacey continues to captivate viewers as conniving president Frank Underwood in House of Cards. Alas, in Golden Globe terms, their efforts were for nothing. Same for the cast who breathe life into the battling families of Westeros. Time for a little dragonfire: "Dracarys!"

For the full list of all categories and nominees, visit www.golden­globes.com. The 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards start at 5am (UAE time) on Monday, January 11