George R. R. Martin Thinks Westworld has the edge at the Golden Globes

By Reuben Levine | Dec 17, 2016

George R. R. Martin is glad that both got nominated, but the author is putting his money on Westworld.

It’s nothing new for HBO shows to have to go toe-to-toe with each other at award shows. Sometimes that works out in HBO’s favor because it allows for a so-called “flooding” of the ballots, and sometimes it just doesn’t pan out. Westworld’s first season was something to behold, and so it’s no surprise that it’s getting multiple nominations across the various award shows, including the Golden Globes. And apparently George R. R. Martin, the author behind Game of Thrones, is thrilled with that.

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In his blog (famously titled Not A Blog,) George R. R. Martin talks about his excitement that Game of Thrones, Westworld, and Stranger Things were all nominated for Golden Globes. Game of Thrones wasn’t always an awards darling, but it has confidently dominated in the past few years. That time might be over. Westworld is here to challenge it, and Martin is fairly confident that Westworld is going to have the upper hand.

Martin specifically says that “In fact, I would figure WW for the favorite,” so there you have it. The time of Game of Thrones is coming to an end. There are only two seasons left, both with shortened episode counts and staggered releases. In terms of 2016 showings, Westworld offered a fresher experience that is more prominent in voter’s minds since Game of Thrones altered its usual release schedule to accommodate the weather.

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It’s great to have Martin’s support for Westworld; in a way it feels like the passing of a torch. Martin also once wondered whether there could ever be a Game of Thrones and Westworld crossover, an idea that we weren’t too keen on. It will be interesting to see how this shakes out. There will be no Westworld in 2017, when Game of Thrones returns, and who knows what 2018 will bring.