Entertainment

Can JT Hit An Entertainment Grand Slam?

by Christine DiStasio

The past 12 months have made one thing clear: 2013 was the year of Justin Timberlake. I know what you're thinking: What about Jennifer Lawrence and Miley Cyrus and Benedict Cumberbatch? Sorry folks — it was all JT. The ex-'NSYNC band-member-turned-solo-artist and actor ruled 2013 with his release of The 20/20 Experience Part 1 & Part 2, his boy band's (all too brief) reunion at the MTV Video Music Awards, and his Golden Globe nod for his work on the Coen Brothers' musical biopic Inside Llewyn Davis . So yeah, this was a big year for our favorite Southern gentleman, JT. (Let's forget that awkward minute when he starred in Runner, Runner , shall we?) And his Golden Globe nomination for "Please Mr. Kennedy" only means one thing: Justin Timberlake is one step closer to successfully accomplishing the EGOG.

In case you've been living under a rock, the EGOG (Emmy-Grammy-Oscar-Golden Globe) is the selective sibling of the ever-elusive EGOT (Emmy-Grammy-Oscar-Tony). The two titles are the grand slams of entertainment and they're rare, especially for someone whose primary title is singer-songwriter and fabulous dancer. Timberlake is halfway to accomplishing the EGOG as he enters the 2013-14 awards season — he's already racked up four Emmy awards for his epic turns on Saturday Night Live and six Grammy Awards (and he's currently nominated and in place to win more). But his Globes nomination is the first for the multi-talented performer and the fact that Inside Llewyn Davis' soundtrack is one of the best of 2013, combined with the hilarity of the song itself, might be the perfect recipe for a win. And even if he doesn't win there, the song could definitely get a nod when the Oscar nominees are announced on Jan. 16.

So what can Timberlake do to ensure a golden awards season? Well, perhaps one of these five tips will help the Golden Globe nominee.

Tip No. 1: Charm The Academy

Because everyone knows that when you turn on the charm (á la J. Law and Sandra Bullock), you immediately become an Academy darling. And it's no secret that Justin Timberlake has more charm in one of his fingernails than 3/4 of the population combined.

Tip No. 2: Stay Classy

Class goes a long way in Hollywood, and JT's got a hell of a lot of it. I'd list all of Hollywood A-list award winners that are paragons of class, but that'd be a really long list. But look at this guy in a suit and tie! Eat your heart out, Daniel Day-Lewis.

Tip No. 3: Make 'Em Laugh

Like Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor advised us in Singin' In The Rain, humor really is the best way to make the people love you. (Hello George Clooney!) And JT's really good at it — he's got the SNL resumé to prove it.

Tip No. 4: Don't Be Embarrassed About Runner, Runner

You're just better at comedies, JT, and now you know it for sure. So don't be embarrassed about Runner, Runner and its epic flop because it will all be okay. Look at how many terrible movies Sandra Bullock had to make before she won her Oscar for The Blind Side (and look at how Clooney's Batman & Robin nipples became a focal point of his golden year in 2006) — it happens to everyone, so learn from it, and joke about it.

Tip No. 5: Be Your Radiant, Beautiful Self

Every minute of every hour of every day until awards season is over, and then you can rest peacefully while cradling the last two statues to complete your EGOG tenderly against your chest. Because, at the risk of sounding shallow, that smile could simultaneously light up a room and melt our frozen hearts while those baby blues bring us to our knees — and I can bet there's at least a few people on the voting committees who'll feel the same way as well.

So, in conclusion, we're throwing our support behind Justin Timberlake for the EGOG in 2014 because it's totally within his reach. And we can only hope he'd celebrate like this (or at least make a joke about it in the green room afterwards)...

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